#actuallydisabled
(ID: one hand labeled “autism” shaking hands with another hand labeled “gender dysphoria”, where their hands meet it says “making me dress inappropriately for the weather”)
Hey, as a disabled and a chronically ill person, I find it alienating when mental health advocates and positivity blogs say things like “mental illness is just as important as physical illness”. While that is true, honestly, the preconception that society is properly understanding and accepting of physical illness as it is is simply not accurate.
I see this a lot, and while I understand the good intention of these types of posts to shed light on the importance of mental health, which often goes ignored, it’s detrimental to physically ill communities because it trivializes the ableism we face. Why not leave it at “mental health matters,” with no comparisons? It’s still completely true.
Disabled trans boys/men are great!
Chronically ill boys/men are great!
Boys/men who can’t bind or can’t bind comfortably are great!
Boys/men who can’t alter their gait when walking to appear more “masculine” are great! (Boys/men who can’t walk are great.)
Boys/men who can’t work out are great!
Boys/men who can’t gain or lose weight, be it muscle or fat we’re talking about here, are great!
Boys/men who can’t train their voices are great! (Boys/men who are mute, selectively mute, nonverbal, etc. are great.)
Boys/men who are neurodivergent are great! Autistic guys, guys with ADHD, guys with learning disabilities, all very great! Mentally ill guys? Why, they’re absolutely wonderful. Guys with depression, anxiety, thought/personality/mood disorders, and guys on the schizoid spectrum?? You’re all wonderful. Guys with traumas are wonderful. All neurodivergent boys and men are excellent and you really deserve your own post, which I will make soon.
Disabled trans boys/men are great! I love you all. Blind/deaf (or hard of hearing)/non-speaking, mobility impaired, chronically ill, neurodivergent, mentally ill, and other trans boys and men who stand proud in this community even with all the ableist shit we put you through, you do not go unnoticed and you matter! I love you!!!
Are you a disabled kid between the ages 7-17 in the US? Do you know one you can pass this on to? I’m starting a project called “Portraits for Disabled Kids” Fill out the application here
My name is Michaela Oteri and I’m a 30 year old disabled artist who specializes in portraits. You can see my work at http://ogrefairy.com I am trying to give a solid and fun representation to disabled kids from all over the United States. If chosen you will also receive $50!
3 kids ages 7-12 and 3 kids ages 13-17 will be selected. Priority will be given to disabled Black, Indigenous, and kids of color. The portraits and audio from interviews will be posted on a stand alone website and will not be used for commercial purposes.
The application will close on April 15th so be sure to apply soon!
ID under read more
[ID: Two digital drawings. The first is a kid in t shirt and shorts. They have tan skin and brown hair and are holding a corn snake. Beside them are pillars with snakes and fire on top. Behind them are more pillars and flames. The second kid is white with brown short hair that is shaved on one side. They are wearing big comfy clothes. Their shirt is baby pink and has stars and moons on it. They are wearing a backpack that has a baby yoda sticking out. Behind them are threes with sloths hanging from them. On the ground are some ferrets and they are wearing matching ferret slippers.]
