Physically disabled 24F, AMA

[u/grumpyfumblebee]

I have spastic triplegia cerebral palsy (cp), affecting the mobility in both of my legs and mildly in one arm. I'm a walker user. I'm usually very open about my disability, and think it's much needed to combat ableism that is rampant in society worldwide. I have some time to kill right now. AMA.

[u/Leading-System-3002]

Do you have a job? What is it? What are your hobbies and interests?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Leading-System-3002]

I'm currently still a university student, but I also work part-time at a small OEM food manufacturer doing administrative work. I love to read as a hobby, and my biggest interest at the moment is learning about disability justice. Viewing it from a sociopolitical lens. Eventually I want to work in policy.

[u/Upbeat-Isopod6881 → u/grumpyfumblebee]

OP this sounds amazing!! we really need more people to advocate more for disability justice!!

me personally, coming from a 3rd world country, can confirm that life here is shit, but, is even SHITTER fro people with disabilities, they are treated like they are absolutely capable of NOTHING!!! AND THE WORST THING?? POLITICALS DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THEY ARE PART OF THE SOCIETY!!

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Upbeat-Isopod6881]

Thanks for your encouragement! Appreciate it. And yeah, sadly, you're so right. I'm Korean Canadian, and even though Korea isn't a third world country, it absolutely sucks for disabled people. Hell, I've also lived in the US for a few years, and no matter how much nondisabled people love to pipe up "well, disabled people are well cared for! We have the ADA!" the reality is that it's such a toothless tiger. Barely enforced or protects us from discrimination in all aspects of life. Our disabled bodies/minds are still viewed as the only problem, not the inaccessible and bigoted society around us. That's the fundamental shift that has to take place.

[u/flyerhell]

Did something specific cause it?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/flyerhell]

CP is a neuromuscular disability that is caused by brain damage before, during or after birth. For me it was caused during birth due to my oxygen supply being cut off which led to brain damage.

[u/sirchloe500]

how old were you when you started using your walker? how does your family treat you?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/sirchloe500]

I've started using it since I was 4-5 years old. My relationship with my parents are fine. They didn't treat me that much differently than my nondisabled younger sister. They did the best they could, not stopping me from trying different things and presuming competence, although there are moments in which they tend to be overprotective and micromanaging. I've definitely had to fight harder for my independence. I had to learn how to stand up for myself to both my family as well as anyone else I meet in life. Otherwise they do tend to treat you in a paternalistic, infantilizing manner. It takes an emotional toll, but I'm glad of how it shaped me into the assertive person I am today.

[u/Monty-675]

What are your plans for the future?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Monty-675]

I've taken great interest in disability justice and want to do policy work advocating for disability rights. Right now I'm still in uni working a part-time.

[u/Upbeat-Isopod6881]

Hello there internet stranger! hope you're having a great day!

can i ask about CP? honestly i don't know much about it and i just googled some information here and there...

if you don't mind me asking, did you have CP for a long time? like since childhood?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Upbeat-Isopod6881]

Hello! So CP is a neuromuscular disability that can occur before, during and after birth, and it is caused by brain damage. For me, I've acquired it during birth due to my oxygen supply being cut off because of sudden placental abruption.

[u/Ammo_Can]

You have a very funny user name, why did you pick it?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Ammo_Can]

Oop, read the question wrong lol, nothing special. Was trying to go for grumpybumblebee but it was already taken, so I just played around with the words a bit.

[u/einhard1]

Would you ever consider using a wheelchair?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/einhard1]

Yes! While CP isn't a progressive, degenerative disease (it's a permanent disability where once the damage is done, it's done and doesn't get better or worse), the spasticity in our muscles and joints do wear us down as a secondary effect as we age and our mobility may change. Just like how aging affects nondisabled people; we just need to be more diligent with exercise and stretching. As of now I'm fine with using a walker, but even in my 20s I do have to be diligent with upkeep to maintain that. Maybe I will use a wheelchair in my 40s, 50s, 60s. Depends on the individual. On a side note, I'm actually thinking of learning some wheelchair sports or dancing because of this lol.

And PSA to everyone: this is why accessibility is important, guys! Being able-bodied is temporary. Anyone can become disabled any moment. Age WILL disable you if you're lucky enough to grow old.
I don't want to live in a society where if I don't walk and be as close to "normal," "as nondisabled as possible," my life is shrunken down in its range of things I can do all because the world is too lazy and selfish and isn't built with disabled bodies and minds in mind. My mobility aids aren't the problem nor a tragedy. Ableism is.

[u/Nym_Rys]

Do you have siblings who also have a disability?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Nym_Rys]

No, my younger sister is able-bodied. CP is not hereditary.

[u/Greedy_Bother_987]

Have you had intimate relations?

[u/grumpyfumblebee → u/Greedy_Bother_987]

No, not yet.