Short rant on disability

[caliente_uk]

So it seems that there are some people in fandom who have issues with people with disabilities going in to gigs early and *gasp* daring to take more than one friend with them. Yes, you read that right...I said friend. Not helper, friend. Believe it or not disabled people have friends too, you know.

Do people really think that disabled people *choose* to be disabled, just so they can get into a gig a few minutes early? And nine times out of ten end up shunted to the side of the room or the back of the stalls. Because if that's really what they think, let them go ahead and try it for a while. See how great it is not to be able to get out of bed on their own, or to have to fight for breath just to walk up the stairs (because not all disabled people are wheelchair users, you know. Imagine that!). See how it makes them feel when they're told that they should be "grateful" there's a ramp to get into the venue, never mind expecting an accessible toilet as well. OMG, the wonderful privileges they're missing!

My daughter would give *anything* to be able to stand in line for a gig, and to be able to go in with everyone else. To do all the things that able-bodied people take for granted every day.

Having a disability rarely means getting the "best seats" in the house, because safety issues mean that people with disabilities (rightly) have to be seated where it's safe. K has only ever had a front row seat once in her life (at Words and Music), but that is most definitely unusual. Not to mention the fact that if you're not very quick off the mark, the wheelchair/disabled places will sell out before you even have a chance to buy a ticket.

deborahw37 posted an excellent rant on her LJ yesterday (which I agree with completely...and is a very fair one, too), so I'll just leave you with part of my comment to her:

How many able-bodied people go to a concert with friends and expect to have to sit apart from them? That happens to people with disabilities on a regular basis. I've lost count of the amount of times K and I have had to sit apart from the rest of our group because only one "helper" is allowed to sit with the disabled person. It's very difficult to interact with people on a social level when that happens, and can quite often feel like segregation. It has to happen, of course, for space and safety reasons (so this isn't a complaint about that, although there is room for improvement), but maybe those who feel so "put out" by people with disabilities being given so-called "special treatment" should go away and think about that for a while.



Sorry for the rant, but I tend to get very passionate about this subject. :)

Comments

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

It is just like the Powers That Be in international athletics declaring Oscar Pistorius' special false lower limbs make him ineligible to run against able-bodied athletes because they give him an unfair advantage.

If for one moment there was any truth in it presumably all the others would dash off and have their legs amputated to gain the same advantage if he was cleared to compete.

Or maybe not.....

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I get so frustrated by attitudes like this, I really do. *sigh*

Having a rant helps a little, though. :)

[thelostgirl13.livejournal.com]

A very valid rant, Cal! It's true, many a time I've heard people complaining about people with disabilities getting preferential treatment. Except it isn't preferential, is it? As you've pointed out you're often seperated from friends, not sat where you'd like to be etc. Life is difficult enough for anyone with a disability and able-bodied people (such as myself) should be grateful they are able to sit with their friends etc.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

I get so annoyed by some of the things I read on various boards, I just have to have a little rant about it here in my own LJ. Unfortunately, I don't think some people are ever going to change their attitudes. They don't realise how lucky they are to be able to sit with a group of friends at a gig and have a fun night out. *sigh*

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Great rant! My sister has cerebral palsy, and she definitely does not get the best seats. Whenever we go to our local cinema together, the disabled spot is right at the very front, so we get neck ache by the end of the film. And at concerts, the disabled area is usually right at the back. My sister would love to have her pick of seats, instead of having to go in the designated disabled area, but I guess the moaning people don't think of that

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Great rant!

Thank you. :)

Whenever we go to our local cinema together, the disabled spot is right at the very front, so we get neck ache by the end of the film.

My daughter hates going to the cinema for that very reason! Sitting so close also hurts her eyes, so unless it's a movie she really wants to see (like Harry Potter), she prefers to wait for it to come out on DVD.

My sister would love to have her pick of seats, instead of having to go in the designated disabled area

I know! Venues only have a certain amount of disabled places, so the choice is very limited. And you have to be very quick off the mark, otherwise the places are all gone before you even get a chance to buy a ticket!

*hugs*

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

I said it in deborah37's post and I'll say it again, how many of those people are just an accident or a disease away from being disabled themselves. And then let them see how much "fun" or "privileged" it is.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

That's so true. Disability can happen to anyone at any stage of their lives.

Thanks for the comment! :)

[pfeifferpack.livejournal.com]

You see this is an example of how there are "functioning" idiots out there (ah for the old days when they could apply for the post of village idiot). I think parents need to teach their children to empathize and then again some people just do not seem o have that ability at all. Anyone can become "disabled" in a snap in this world....in a "just" world it would only be those who have had no compassion prior but that isn't how it works.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Kathleen

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Kathleen. I get so frustrated by the attitudes of some people, but having a little rant here in my LJ certainly helps. :)

*hugs back*

[paratti.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Sing it with the choir!! Great rant

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Heh. I finally saw what inspired your rant yesterday. Needless to say, it annoyed me a little bit. So I had to have a little rant of my own. :)

Thank you.

[iadorespike]

Seriously? No...seriously?

What the hell is wrong with people? *headdesk*

Anna *hugs you and K*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Seriously. :)

The attitudes of some people never fail to surprise me. And sadly, I don't think they'll ever change their way of thinking. *sigh*

*hugs back*

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

You know how I feel about this Cal *hugs*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I certainly do, Karen. :)

*hugs back*

[debris4spike]

I had already made a comment on deboprahw37 yesterday - I just can't believe how people get treated ... I try to just treat everyone as I would like them to treat me - whether they are young/old/on crutches/in a chair ....... But I have been amzed by disabled peoples reactions to that - as so many get used to being treated as "weird" that sadly they come to expect it.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

But I have been amzed by disabled peoples reactions to that - as so many get used to being treated as "weird" that sadly they come to expect it.

It's a sad state of affairs, isn't it? The amount of times people will ask *me* something instead of asking K is unbelievable. All they see is the chair or the disability and not the person. Attitudes *are* changing, but it's a very slow process. Unfortunately, I don't think the attitudes of some people will ever change. *sigh*

Thanks for the comment! :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/opalescence_/]

As well you should be passionate about this. How disgusting that some people feel this way!!!!

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's a subject very close to my heart. :)

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

Even if they did get the best seats all the time, I wouldn't resent them.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

I wish everyone felt the same way as you do. :)

[cdn-tvaddict.livejournal.com]

Great rant Cal! I just can't even believe anyone would say anything like that! I'm always so happy when I see someone less fortunate getting a bit of a break (like front row seats at an event), they deserve it.

*hugs u*

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks, J. There are a lot of people who feel that way, unfortunately. Thank goodness there are also people like you, otherwise I would lose my faith in humanity completely. *hugs u back*

[danaid-luv.livejournal.com]

You know, I'd like to be able to laugh at this rant, because it seems ridiculous--bi*tching & moaning over someone getting 'special treatment' because of a disability? Are they kidding? *shakes head* A lot of people suck. But at the same time, you've had a lot of great commenters on the post that makes me remember that not all are lost...

We're all one tragic car accident away from needing 'special treatment' aren't we? Gads.

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

Thanks. There are a lot of people who feel that way, unforunately. Attitudes *are* starting to change, but it's a very slow process.

But at the same time, you've had a lot of great commenters on the post that makes me remember that not all are lost...

And thank goodness for that! Without people like them (and you) I would lose my faith in humanity completely. :)

[unbridled-b.livejournal.com]

What the heck is wrong with people these days? On the Daily Show just a few nights ago, they did a report about people renting the mobility scooters from hotels and cruising around Vegas, pretending to be disabled. They were even asking people to "help" them. People like that should have to live for one day without the use of their legs, then maybe they wouldn't be so quick to call it the "good life." People have even complained to my husband because his older brother (who has severe Downs Syndrome) receives social security even though he's never worked. He has the mentality of a three year old! What is he supposed to do? Become an attorney?

::snort::

Some people, eh?

[caliente-uk.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of people who feel like that, unfortunately. Attitudes *are* starting to change (in the UK at least), but it's a long and slow process. As much as I wish it wasn't true, the attitudes of some people will probably never change. *sigh*

I'm just glad that there are also people like you in the world, otherwise I'd be in danger of completely losing my faith in humanity. :)

Thanks for the comment!

[jerusha]

That's ridiculous. I totally agree with you, and I would be (and am) outraged at that idea.