The "inspiration" framing that drives me nuts at disability events

I went to a local accessibility workshop last month in Portland and this speaker kept saying how people with disabilities are "so inspiring" just for going about their day. It rubbed me the wrong way because it ignores the actual work we're doing for rights and access. Like, nobody calls someone inspiring for using a crosswalk, right? That framing makes us seem like side characters in our own lives. Has anyone else had to correct a well meaning person on why this stuff feels more patronizing than helpful?

2 comments

2 Comments

jamierodriguez18d ago

I mean, isn't "inspiring" just a nice thing to say though

rivera.simon18d ago

Man, I hear you. It's like they're giving you a gold star just for existing which totally misses the point of what you're actually there to talk about. People mean well but that kind of "inspiration" just feels like a pat on the head.