The Barkana has always been a project about disability activism. I navigate this world as an openly
The Barkana has always been a project about disability activism. I navigate this world as an openly disabled and traumatized person. This project has been about service dogs, a type of assistance for disabled folks.
I wanted to share a few of the tarot cards from this deck that represent my journey with disability. Some was inspired by a blog written on marandaelizabeth.com
The 5 of Cups: Representing disappointment & grieving how you wished things have been, I think this captures the hardship of disability and trauma. I often wish I hadn’t been trafficked and hurt as a child. Grief over what my life could have been like sits with me every day, as I work to make peace with my reality. I do love who I have become, yet I struggle with this too–a feeling I’ve found many disabled folks share.
Death: Life as a disabled person is filled with change. There are many “little deaths,” accompanied by both hardships & joys. Death is such a neutral card all about change, and it highlights the undercurrent of unpredictability with disability, especially with dissociative identity disorder and how time and identity itself is constantly in flux for me.
5 of Pentacles: This card often represents illness, loss, and hardship…trudging through the cold weather in search for some warmth. Disabled people are frequently marginalized and outcast, and I feel this card represents the challenges of living with that identity. Yet, it also shows we are not alone, as we can find loving companions on our journey.
3 of Swords: This one features a disabled tripod pup, so I had to include it! It also represents trauma, invalidation, and silencing–something so many disabled folks experience. Our identities are erased, left out of activism, & we are gaslighted about our experiences.
It’s my hope, by talking about this, it inspires reflection on how you think about disabled people. Feel free to comment with your thoughts!
Sun, 31 Oct 2021 17:12:23
