People Online Are Discussing Disability History After A Tumblr User Shares 6 Events That Are Not Talked About Enough From It
Usually at school, history lessons try to cover the most important things that happened in known history and typically, we learn about our own country’s past in a little bit more detail. It is impossible to learn about everything, not only because there is not enough time physically, but the curriculum often gets criticized for omitting certain topics that people consider to be significant.
Tumblr user prettyasapic proposes that every person should be taught disability history as people with disabilities were often mistreated, their human rights were violated and their merits were forgotten because their minds or bodies worked differently.
More info: Тumblr
A person on Tumblr was concerned that not a lot of people are aware of the intense disability history, so they decided to enlighten others about it
Image credits: Gaël Marziou
The Tumblr user suggests that people should be taught more about how disabled people were actually treated and what great things they achieved despite having more difficult circumstances than an able-bodied person has.
They gave a few examples. First of all, they mentioned Carrie Buck, who was deemed to be “feeble-minded” even though she was an average student. It is a term used to describe people who had intellectual disabilities and had a pejorative connotation.
But because people considered her to be defective, the Supreme Court forcefully sterilized her under Virginia’s Sterilization Act of 1924 in order to stop people diagnosed with “insanity … idiocy, imbecility, feeble-mindedness or epilepsy” from having kids who would also possibly could have the same condition. Carrie was only one in about 60,000 people whom the Court deemed to be unsuitable for reproduction.
Image credits: prettyasapic
They talked about some important people and events that lead to decisions being made in favor of disabled people on a governmental scale
Image credits: prettyasapic
Another person the Tumblr user wishes more people knew about is Judith Heumann, who was a disability rights activist who organized a protest in 1977. She and her associates in the disability community occupied federal buildings in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and Seattle for 28 hours demanding the enforcement of the legislation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which was the most important disability rights legislation in the US passed in 1973.
Image credits: prettyasapic
They tried to humanize people with disabilities and show how much they have had to go through to come to the partial tolerance they are treated with now
Image credits: prettyasapic
Image credits: Timothy Krause
Prettyasapic urges us not to forget all the Baby Does that died in the 1980s only because they were disabled and the parents didn’t think they were worth giving treatment. Because of these cases, the US government issued Baby Doe regulations in 1984 that required hospitals to contact courts or child protective agencies if parents refused to treat infants with congenital defects.
A year later, a new law known as the Baby Doe Amendment came into effect, which forbade parents from withholding food and fluids from disabled newborns as well as necessary treatment.
Other people felt the same level of passion towards this topic and shared even more information about this part of history
Image credits: only-book-lovers-left-alive
Image credits: archwrites
They mention I. King Jordan, who was the first Deaf Gallaudet University President after protesting yet another hearing president in this liberal art school meant for people with hearing disabilities.
The Tumblr user also quoted Jim Sinclair, an autism-rights movement activist, who felt people treated him differently and believed they didn’t have life, proving the contrary and waiting for society to see that so they could be equal members.
They mentioned some people they admire and shared some resources people can go to in order to better understand people with disabilities
Image credits: Andrea
Image credits: circusfreak-tylee
They need more understanding because they still face rough conditions as they often live below the poverty line
Image credits: circusfreak-tylee
People in the comments shared other examples of people fighting for disability rights who they admired and the cruel behavior they had to go through just because they were different from others.
These things are important to understand and know in order to not repeat the same mistakes now. Sadly, disabled people don’t think this world accommodates them enough, even after all those decades of effort.
Image credits: circusfreak-tylee
Image credits: cre8iveovadose
People with disabilities have a high risk of developing depression and anxiety because they are often left to deal with their problems alone
Image credits: cre8iveovadose
Disabilities might require big funds to manage, so a lot of people who are physically or mentally impaired live in poverty. It doesn’t help that disability discrimination is very real and some conditions actually prevent people from performing their jobs.
People with disabilities may find it difficult to live alone, but at the same time they are quite isolated and are more likely to experience emotional stress, develop depression and anxiety.
Image credits: cre8iveovadose
But people bringing up this topic, getting inspiration from the past, and learning from its mistakes leads to the change we are all waiting for
Image credits: cre8iveovadose
Common Wealth Fund’s survey shows that there are changes that must happen for people with disabilities to live with more independence and dignity. They suggest “Adequate funding for LTSS, including community-based services” would make a difference and “Many issues that are currently treated in clinical settings could be taken care of in the community.”
Another thing that could be done is to provide support to those people who live with someone with disabilities. They also suggest creating support programs together with the people who will use them, instead of only asking for feedback afterwards, or not asking anything at all.
Have you ever heard any of these stories mentioned by Tumblr users? Do you think it is an important part of history that doesn’t get enough recognition? Also, what do you think can be improved in the support system for people with disabilities, or do you feel their rights are already equal? We are curious to know your thoughts, so leave them in the comments!
This is an interesting read but I want more knowledge! Also, I realised that I use disability slurs without thinking about it (jokingly calling a friend with a broken leg, a cripple) and how I need to be more aware of what I'm saying
That’s great! Learning more benefits youself and your whole community, as disability rights are central to all human rights. There are many disability advocates and educators you might be interested in looking up. Judy Heumann or Imani Barbarin (both Americans) are the first two I thought of, but there are many others. The most important part is to make sure that you’re learning about disability history and current activism from disabled people or disabled-led groups. As much as people mean well, those who are non-disabled (including those who work with disabled people or have disabled family members) can often get things wrong. The disabled community is vocal and all of the info you need can be found from them directly.
Load More Replies...
I am disabled and live in subsidized housing. I worked from 1973 until 2001, and have a pension that I cannot receive. If I do, my rent would increase by $400 a month. I would also lose other benefits. It isn't worth it.
My left foot was required reading in my English class, and part of the exam. We analysed the movie, book and writer. It should be mandatory part of curriculum.
Also maybe more appealing for teenagers would be a book by Benjamin Lebert, Crazy. This was introduced to us in fifth grade, might be now cancelled due to language or parents who are afraid of sex education, but highly recommend reading it especially if you have teenagers that might not be too tolerating against disabilities
Load More Replies...
I would LOVE to find out more about "invisible " disabilities and what we can do. It really hurts to have people yell at me when I use motorized scooters or handicapped parking. (Breast cancer, spinal stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disc, sciatica, fibro, and Neuropathy from chemo). I'm only 56 so some insist I'm faking. And both my kids have mental health issues and get the same treatment - especially my 21yo.
I don't know where you are based but here in the UK we have sunflower lanyards which represent invisible disabilities. I have fibro and ME, I can't drive anymore so I use a mobility scooter which I paid for myself. I don't get the full mobility allowance for my PIP, which is my Personal Independence Payments which is not means-tested. If anybody gets shitty with me, I just tell them to f**k off. It's very satisfying. Nobody has a right to demand proof of your disabilities hidden or otherwise. I'm so sorry that you have experienced this x
Load More Replies...
I did a paper on Carrie Buck. No idea how I found out about it in high school, randomly flipping through things. If I remember correctly, her mother was a prostitute, Carrie was sent to live with another family and raped by a teenaged boy related to the family, her daughter had died young from an infection. Before her daughter got sick, she had good grades when she could attend school. The court looked at the grades right before she died and used that for the "3 generations of imbeciles" rule. Any undesirable behavior, like prostitution and promiscuity was considered imbecilic as well. Only for the women, of course 🙄 Further tragedy is many people were sterilized without their knowledge. I read about a woman who kept trying for decades to have a baby. Finally in the 80s, she had some scans done for something and the doctor asked why she hadn't mentioned her hysterectomy in her records. She only had one surgery in her life, to remove her appendix as a child. Surgeon decided to sterilize her at the same time and she never knew
As a young girl, I loved the story of Helen Keller. When, as a teenager, I learned what a bigot, racist and hater she truly was, I was crushed. You'd think someone who had to overcome so much would have been more accepting of others.
Load More Replies...
Jim Sinclair's work is foundational to the neurodiversity movement. I love this on the idea of curing autism, also from Don't Mourn For Us: "This is what we hear when you pray for a cure. This is what we know, when you tell us of your fondest hopes and dreams for us: that your greatest wish is that one day we will cease to be, and strangers you can love will move in behind our faces." Nice to see some disability positive content on here, there's sadly a regular appearance of the opposite.
Some countries seem to be close to eradicating Down Syndrome children. These children are still conceived, but are aborted before birth. Men and women with Down Syndrome are becoming increasingly vocal about their rights, highlighting the gifts and talents of their community, and advocating against the abortion of Down Syndrome people.
I think that is a very nuanced topic. It's also one that is very close to my heart (my cousin has Downs and so does the son of my college bestie). The main reason behind people choosing to abort fetuses diagnosed with Downs has to do with the severity of the birth defects. It's easy to think the only differences associated with trisomy 21 is intellectual development and their outward physical features. Most people aren't aware of how serious and/or life-threatening the condition can be during fetal development. The most common defects are in the heart and intestines. Some are able to be fixed with surgeries after they're born but not all are that lucky. This is why it's very nuanced.
Load More Replies...
I’ve been told that because I’m autistic, I don’t have that “human spark,” or a soul. Anyone else meet such an idiot?
Many of the homeless are disabled: physically, mentally or both. And disability benefits don't cover rent, utilities, food and transportation costs. Everyday, I hear housed ppl talk sh*t about the homeless. And each time I reply with, "Do you know how much money it takes to cover the cost of living in today's society?" The normal response is "Yes. They need to stop looking for handouts and get a job"...then I'll ask, "Do you believe that $800-$1000 a month would cover rent, utilities, food and transportation?"...silence. Suddenly the housed don't have any thing to say. I'll continue with, "What if you became disabled? What do you think would happen? Do you honestly believe that you would be able to cover your bills? How about your car?Where will you be living? Oh, that's right, under a bridge, out on the streets, homeless because of your disability benefits won't be enough to live anywhere else."
This made me realize something- My grandpa is disabled, and his childhood friend moved in with him recently. My sister and I (not knowing any better) asked if they were gonna get married, and they said no, and when we asked why they said "We've both been married before, it didn't work out." (They were both married to other people, not to each other btw). I've just now realized they either 1) don't actually want to get married, or 2) my grandpa doesn't want to lose his disability benefits since he can't work.
I was born in Australia 1979- my mother has LITERALLY told me, when I was born the doctors gave her a choice about whether she wanted my disability (Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) treated or not- with the understanding that if it wasn't treated, I would die.........clearly she decided to go with treatment!- yay!
About Carrie Buck: The surgery, carried out while Buck was an inmate of the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded, took place under the authority of the Sterilization Act of 1924, part of the Commonwealth of Virginia's eugenics program. Between 1924 and 1979, Virginia sterilized over 7,000 individuals under the act.The act was never declared unconstitutional;
I don't take offense at being called a cripple. Crip, slow poke, hop along, whatever.. It really doesn't bother me. My worth is not measured by others. It's okay to run past me when you're in a hurry. I can open my own door. But, if you try to knock me down, I will immediately and loudly call you out for that. If you see me struggling to get to the door and you wait by it so I can open that door for you, rest assured I will smile sweetly and turn my back to the door instead of opening it. My husband will be along in a moment to get it for me. Women who teach their little children to use the handicapped toilet don't seem to understand that seat is taller for the sake of the handicapped people. We need that extra inch when moving from a wheelchair to the seat. If you sprinkle urine on the seat, I have to clean that or wear it. Please, wipe the seat. Another peeve, that is your favorite place to take a text break or smoke break at work. You're abusing your employer and your privilege. Hogging the elevator when a person in a chair is clearly waiting for one is beyond rude. That happened to me almost 20 minutes last week at a very expensive venue. Tickets were $150 and up. Being wealthy doesn't translate to being kind. Bear witness to this: Being disabled doesn't translate to poor. It may happen that way. But, the two (disability and economic standing) are not synonymous.
The idea about Hitler killing people with disabilities came from the father of a disabled child. Just for the record.
The "Willowbrook Study" in New York, USA, from 1960-1963 infected mentally handicapped CHILDREN with hepatitis in order to test if gamma globulin would be a cure. Other institutions for mentally handicapped people may also have been involved in these "studies".
I would highly recommend watching Speechless, a comedy but great insights into teenagers with disabilities, and their family (I could see so much of my mum in the main character's mother). Also, As we see it, again a comedy, about three people with ASD living in a share house, and Atypical. A more dramatic show that I loved was The A Word, about a boy with Austism and his family. If you want a non-fiction show that teaches more about people with disabilities, there is an Australian show called You Can't Ask That, which has episodes where people with disabilities answer questions the public asked (there are episodes on other marginalized people too). There is also a show called Love on the Spectrum about people with ASD dating.
This is true for instance has anyone heard of a Ms.Templar Grainger? This autistic woman has made a huge change in the meat processing plants and cattle behavior
This is an interesting read but I want more knowledge! Also, I realised that I use disability slurs without thinking about it (jokingly calling a friend with a broken leg, a cripple) and how I need to be more aware of what I'm saying
That’s great! Learning more benefits youself and your whole community, as disability rights are central to all human rights. There are many disability advocates and educators you might be interested in looking up. Judy Heumann or Imani Barbarin (both Americans) are the first two I thought of, but there are many others. The most important part is to make sure that you’re learning about disability history and current activism from disabled people or disabled-led groups. As much as people mean well, those who are non-disabled (including those who work with disabled people or have disabled family members) can often get things wrong. The disabled community is vocal and all of the info you need can be found from them directly.
Load More Replies... I am disabled and live in subsidized housing. I worked from 1973 until 2001, and have a pension that I cannot receive. If I do, my rent would increase by $400 a month. I would also lose other benefits. It isn't worth it.
My left foot was required reading in my English class, and part of the exam. We analysed the movie, book and writer. It should be mandatory part of curriculum.
Also maybe more appealing for teenagers would be a book by Benjamin Lebert, Crazy. This was introduced to us in fifth grade, might be now cancelled due to language or parents who are afraid of sex education, but highly recommend reading it especially if you have teenagers that might not be too tolerating against disabilities
Load More Replies... I would LOVE to find out more about "invisible " disabilities and what we can do. It really hurts to have people yell at me when I use motorized scooters or handicapped parking. (Breast cancer, spinal stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disc, sciatica, fibro, and Neuropathy from chemo). I'm only 56 so some insist I'm faking. And both my kids have mental health issues and get the same treatment - especially my 21yo.
I don't know where you are based but here in the UK we have sunflower lanyards which represent invisible disabilities. I have fibro and ME, I can't drive anymore so I use a mobility scooter which I paid for myself. I don't get the full mobility allowance for my PIP, which is my Personal Independence Payments which is not means-tested. If anybody gets shitty with me, I just tell them to f**k off. It's very satisfying. Nobody has a right to demand proof of your disabilities hidden or otherwise. I'm so sorry that you have experienced this x
Load More Replies... I did a paper on Carrie Buck. No idea how I found out about it in high school, randomly flipping through things. If I remember correctly, her mother was a prostitute, Carrie was sent to live with another family and raped by a teenaged boy related to the family, her daughter had died young from an infection. Before her daughter got sick, she had good grades when she could attend school. The court looked at the grades right before she died and used that for the "3 generations of imbeciles" rule. Any undesirable behavior, like prostitution and promiscuity was considered imbecilic as well. Only for the women, of course 🙄 Further tragedy is many people were sterilized without their knowledge. I read about a woman who kept trying for decades to have a baby. Finally in the 80s, she had some scans done for something and the doctor asked why she hadn't mentioned her hysterectomy in her records. She only had one surgery in her life, to remove her appendix as a child. Surgeon decided to sterilize her at the same time and she never knew
As a young girl, I loved the story of Helen Keller. When, as a teenager, I learned what a bigot, racist and hater she truly was, I was crushed. You'd think someone who had to overcome so much would have been more accepting of others.
Load More Replies... Jim Sinclair's work is foundational to the neurodiversity movement. I love this on the idea of curing autism, also from Don't Mourn For Us: "This is what we hear when you pray for a cure. This is what we know, when you tell us of your fondest hopes and dreams for us: that your greatest wish is that one day we will cease to be, and strangers you can love will move in behind our faces." Nice to see some disability positive content on here, there's sadly a regular appearance of the opposite.
Some countries seem to be close to eradicating Down Syndrome children. These children are still conceived, but are aborted before birth. Men and women with Down Syndrome are becoming increasingly vocal about their rights, highlighting the gifts and talents of their community, and advocating against the abortion of Down Syndrome people.
I think that is a very nuanced topic. It's also one that is very close to my heart (my cousin has Downs and so does the son of my college bestie). The main reason behind people choosing to abort fetuses diagnosed with Downs has to do with the severity of the birth defects. It's easy to think the only differences associated with trisomy 21 is intellectual development and their outward physical features. Most people aren't aware of how serious and/or life-threatening the condition can be during fetal development. The most common defects are in the heart and intestines. Some are able to be fixed with surgeries after they're born but not all are that lucky. This is why it's very nuanced.
Load More Replies... I’ve been told that because I’m autistic, I don’t have that “human spark,” or a soul. Anyone else meet such an idiot?
Many of the homeless are disabled: physically, mentally or both. And disability benefits don't cover rent, utilities, food and transportation costs. Everyday, I hear housed ppl talk sh*t about the homeless. And each time I reply with, "Do you know how much money it takes to cover the cost of living in today's society?" The normal response is "Yes. They need to stop looking for handouts and get a job"...then I'll ask, "Do you believe that $800-$1000 a month would cover rent, utilities, food and transportation?"...silence. Suddenly the housed don't have any thing to say. I'll continue with, "What if you became disabled? What do you think would happen? Do you honestly believe that you would be able to cover your bills? How about your car?Where will you be living? Oh, that's right, under a bridge, out on the streets, homeless because of your disability benefits won't be enough to live anywhere else."
This made me realize something- My grandpa is disabled, and his childhood friend moved in with him recently. My sister and I (not knowing any better) asked if they were gonna get married, and they said no, and when we asked why they said "We've both been married before, it didn't work out." (They were both married to other people, not to each other btw). I've just now realized they either 1) don't actually want to get married, or 2) my grandpa doesn't want to lose his disability benefits since he can't work.
I was born in Australia 1979- my mother has LITERALLY told me, when I was born the doctors gave her a choice about whether she wanted my disability (Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) treated or not- with the understanding that if it wasn't treated, I would die.........clearly she decided to go with treatment!- yay!
About Carrie Buck: The surgery, carried out while Buck was an inmate of the Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded, took place under the authority of the Sterilization Act of 1924, part of the Commonwealth of Virginia's eugenics program. Between 1924 and 1979, Virginia sterilized over 7,000 individuals under the act.The act was never declared unconstitutional;
I don't take offense at being called a cripple. Crip, slow poke, hop along, whatever.. It really doesn't bother me. My worth is not measured by others. It's okay to run past me when you're in a hurry. I can open my own door. But, if you try to knock me down, I will immediately and loudly call you out for that. If you see me struggling to get to the door and you wait by it so I can open that door for you, rest assured I will smile sweetly and turn my back to the door instead of opening it. My husband will be along in a moment to get it for me. Women who teach their little children to use the handicapped toilet don't seem to understand that seat is taller for the sake of the handicapped people. We need that extra inch when moving from a wheelchair to the seat. If you sprinkle urine on the seat, I have to clean that or wear it. Please, wipe the seat. Another peeve, that is your favorite place to take a text break or smoke break at work. You're abusing your employer and your privilege. Hogging the elevator when a person in a chair is clearly waiting for one is beyond rude. That happened to me almost 20 minutes last week at a very expensive venue. Tickets were $150 and up. Being wealthy doesn't translate to being kind. Bear witness to this: Being disabled doesn't translate to poor. It may happen that way. But, the two (disability and economic standing) are not synonymous.
The idea about Hitler killing people with disabilities came from the father of a disabled child. Just for the record.
The "Willowbrook Study" in New York, USA, from 1960-1963 infected mentally handicapped CHILDREN with hepatitis in order to test if gamma globulin would be a cure. Other institutions for mentally handicapped people may also have been involved in these "studies".
I would highly recommend watching Speechless, a comedy but great insights into teenagers with disabilities, and their family (I could see so much of my mum in the main character's mother). Also, As we see it, again a comedy, about three people with ASD living in a share house, and Atypical. A more dramatic show that I loved was The A Word, about a boy with Austism and his family. If you want a non-fiction show that teaches more about people with disabilities, there is an Australian show called You Can't Ask That, which has episodes where people with disabilities answer questions the public asked (there are episodes on other marginalized people too). There is also a show called Love on the Spectrum about people with ASD dating.
This is true for instance has anyone heard of a Ms.Templar Grainger? This autistic woman has made a huge change in the meat processing plants and cattle behavior
147
45