I was in kindergarten when I was first called the C word, and no not the C word you’re thinking of.
A classmate was over at my house for a play date, we were playing Barbies when she suddenly spoke up and said “MY DAD SAID YOU WERE A CRIPPLE!!” Confused I asked my mom what it meant, needless to say that play date was cut short.
CRIPPLE – is a person or animal with a physical disability, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. … By the 1970s, the word generally came to be regarded as a slur when used for people with disabilities.
Being young and not knowing what it meant, even then I still felt some sort of anger and discomfort towards her.
Now in the new age, a lot of people in the disabled community have taken the word back and reclaimed it, but for me it never felt right to use and that’s okay, to me that word doesn’t make me feel human more like an object.
I wasn’t born a “cripple” or “specially made” or even just to exist to be your inspiration to get out of bed everyday.
You know when Michael Jackson said “take a look in mirror it’s time to change your ways?” Well what did Lady Gaga say? I WAS BORN THIS WAY
I’m proud of my accomplishments so far at 25, and I still have many more to come, and I plan on kicking ass and taking names, So Fuck You
