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People with disabilities are sharing stories of their treatment by able-bodied people on Twitter with the hashtag #ablesareweird.
A viral hashtag started by people with disabilities is gaining momentum on Twitter. Using #Ablesareweird, people with disabilities are sharing their personal stories on how they have been treated by able-bodied people.
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The stories of how people with disabilities have been harassed or mistreated or faced a lack of understanding by abled people are doing rounds on Twitter.
It started with Imani Barabani’s tweet saying, “I think about the time an abled random stranger threw my crutch into the pool “to help me swim” a lot. #AbledsAreWeird”
I think about the time an abled random stranger threw my crutch into the pool “to help me swim” a lot. #AbledsAreWeird
— Crutches&Spice♿️ (@Imani_Barbarin) March 15, 2019
Since then, many came forward with their stories showing their mistreatment.
“Of course the lady will give you a ride in her chair.”
— N.A. Le Brun - Author (@Nat_Just_Nat) March 19, 2019
A) who the frak are you calling a lady?
B) why in the hell would you hand over your child to a stranger to put in their lap?
C) did I say I was giving chair rides to random kids? This wheelchair IS. MY. LEGS. #ablesareweird
The fact that I had to submit a new doctors note from my neurologist every FOUR months explaining I still have incurable epilpesy to my university while I was there in order for them to acknowledge it #ablesareweird
— Maegan Dubois (@maedubois) March 19, 2019
#AbledsAreWeird when they think "not looking sick" is the same as not being sick
— ��Elle �� Gato�� (@ellle_em) March 16, 2019
when they seriously believe "positive thinking" can cure chronic illnesses
when they act like they're suddenly doctors, dispensing unwanted medical advice to disabled people.
Ex-friend hearing about my Social Security disability back pay and monthly payment: Must be nice to have all that money and not have to work for it.
— Leah Backus (@LeahAOBackus) March 18, 2019
Me: Um. All things considered, I’d rather be working. #abledsareweird
Imani Barabani’s tweet also drew flak from able people. Many showed the same kind of non-enlightenment that people with disabilities are trying to highlight.
Ex-friend hearing about my Social Security disability back pay and monthly payment: Must be nice to have all that money and not have to work for it.
— Leah Backus (@LeahAOBackus) March 18, 2019
Me: Um. All things considered, I’d rather be working. #abledsareweird
Lol, it should probably be #NormalPeopleAreWeird
— LibertySubPrime (@LibertySub) March 16, 2019
The hashtag has been used not only by people with physical disabilities, but also mental illness, as up to recently, many do not treat mental illness as a disability.
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