Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving upon us, I find so many reasons to feel gratitude towards the many incredible parts of my life and people around me. One thing I try to remember, though, is that even in celebrating all that I have to be thankful for, I cannot take anything for granted. Even in the face of prejudice that I am often subject to, I realize there are thousands upon thousands of people in the disability community who have life experiences that I cannot truly understand. Though I cannot and would not ever claim to be the voice of all disabled people, I speak up in solidarity, asking everyone to remember that as you reflect on what you appreciate most this Thanksgiving, there is still much work to be done, and much for which we cannot yet be thankful.

I, along with so many in the disability community, am not thankful that there are still people who are isolated sheltered workshops, earning below minimum wage, just because they are disabled. I, along with so many in the disability community, am not thankful for the fact that so many disabled people will be spending Thanksgiving in institutions rather than among loved ones in the community. I, along with so many in the disability community, am not thankful for all the times disabled people are excluded, shut out from participation in all areas of life.

I, along with so many in the disability community, am not thankful for people who devalue the lives of disabled people by treating us as victims, as objects of pity, or as inspirations just for living our lives.

I, along with so many in the disability community, am not thankful for those who do not see that the lives of disabled people are lives worth living.

And yet, as an activist, calling out discrimination and injustices experienced by the disability community tends to be my default mode. In spite of this, I can never deny all I do have to be thankful for, and even though there is a long way to go until disability rights are recognized as human rights, I find so many reasons to celebrate. Sure, it’s cheesy and sentimental, but I hope you’ll indulge me in, and perhaps even share in, my gratitude.

I’m thankful for the generations of disability rights activist who have paved the way for greater access and acceptance.

I’m thankful that my grandparents didn’t listen when family members suggested they institutionalize their disabled baby, because now I get to call her “mom.”

I’m thankful that my parents, family, and friends love me as I am.

I’m thankful for the leaders in the disability movement who mentor and embrace younger generations of activists.

I’m thankful for people who understand that identity is deeply personal, and who respect that I choose to identify myself as a disabled woman.

I’m thankful to know so many incredible people who have come into my life through a connection with disability. I’m thankful to always have new opportunities to learn about the ways in which different identities come together.

I’m thankful for the incredible community of disability activism I have found online.

And most importantly, I’m thankful for how my disability has shaped the journey I’ve been on and my pride in who I am.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Emily Ladau is a writer and disability rights activist whose passion is to harness the powers of language and social media as tools for people to become informed and engaged social justice advocates. She is the owner of Social Justice Media Services, which provides communications, outreach, and social media management services for disability-related organizations. Emily also maintains a blog, Words I Wheel By, as a platform to address discrimination and to encourage people to understand the experience of having a disability in more positive, accepting, and supportive ways. You’re welcome to connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Emily Ladau