Disability Stigmatism from a Non-Disabled Perspective

As people, we tend to focus on the aspects that make us different from one another. And oftentimes, we use those differences to marginalize and depreciate a group of people that we deem to be unworthy or undeserving of being treated humanely. We have created this image of the “ideal” human -- the white, heterosexual, cisgender, non-disabled male – embedded in societal norms. And any group of people who do not satisfy those characteristics is ostracized and trivialized – one of those being disabled bodies.

I am not disabled. However, I have grown up with people who are – mentally and physically. And although I do not understand what it feels like to be disabled, I understand that there are discrimination and prejudice against disabled bodies. Our world is catered toward non-disabled individuals because rooted within our society is the idea that disabled people are unworthy. That they are objects. That they are less than human because they do not fit the standards, we consider being a typical, “normal” human. A significant part of that problem stems from how disabled people are depicted in our everyday lives. Language has meaning and intrinsic value. And language can influence how a marginalized group of people is viewed. People who use ignorant, derogatory terms like “cripple” or “dummy” or the r-word just further stigmatize disabled bodies and rob them of their humanity. Using this language maintains the stigma and normalizes the idea that being disabled inherently means unable. The media often depicts disabled people as pitiful when they are condescendingly referred to as courageous, brave, or special and are praised for overcoming their disability. Although some of those people may be courageous and brave, this imagery further stimulates the idea that disabled bodies are less abled. So we pity them and associate them with dependency. This imagery perpetuates the already existing ideas that disabled bodies cannot function without a non-disabled individual's aid. That they are unable to think and comprehend concepts as non-disabled bodies would. That they are unable to be operable products of society.

The media also portrays disabled bodies as medical ailments that need to be fixed. The idea that disability is synonymous with illness and suffering has become ingrained in the media and the medical realm. Having a disability is associated with being a burden, so instead of focusing on fostering and establishing an environment that is more inclusive towards disabled bodies, we have been focusing on curing them.

I think a huge part of our problem is that, as people, we tend to focus on what makes us different from each other and associate those differences with something negative rather than embracing them. And yes, I know that the phrase “embrace everyone’s differences” sounds very cliché and elementary. There are many intersectional and extensive reasons as to why our societal problems are existent. Nevertheless, I do think that focusing less on our differences would be a step in the right direction. We are all human. Just because people may think, act, communicate, or look differently from one another does not make anybody less human and does not warrant for them to be treated as such. We need to alter our mindset and debunk this idea of the “ideal” or fundamental human. Because, as my mom would say, everyone’s shit stinks.

Hello everyone! My name is Sophia Mezzacappa and I am Mariana’s cooler, more fun sister (lol just kidding Mariana is amazing). I am 19 years old and attend Lafayette College in Easton, PA. I am planning on majoring in Biology and hope to one day attend medical school. In my free time, I like to go for runs, work out, hang out with friends and family, read books, and be outside. A good portion of the thought behind my blog post is from a book that delves into the intersection of animal and disability liberation titled Beasts of Burden: Animal and Disability Liberation. (I definitely recommend this book — it is very eye-opening!) I hope you enjoy and find interest in my blog post!