From Pity to Power: A Story of Disability Pride

“Does the word ‘disability’ make you uncomfortable?” – a simple, albeit loaded, question posed by disabled author and activist, Emily Ladau. Throughout my youth and for the first few years of my adult life, my answer to this question was simply, “Yes.”

I was born with Spina Bifida – a disability that occurs early in pregnancy, which impacts the growth and development of the spine. Resulting complications vary case-to-case, but most include varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence, and executive dysfunction, as well as a need for mobility aids and other medical equipment to carry out daily acts of life.

At a young age, I curated two identities – disabled and nondisabled versions of myself – only wanting the world to see the parts of me that were not obviously impacted by my disability. I hid my scars and leg braces under clothing, kept procedures and daily routines private, and never disclosed my disability unless absolutely necessary.

Why did the word disabled make me so uncomfortable? That’s simple: because it made those around me uncomfortable. I knew this because the word was never used to describe me, nor was I encouraged to use it, as if it diminished my worth or even my humanity.

By avoiding the word, it became taboo.

It took over 30 years for me to learn to take pride in my identity as the sum of all my parts. If only I had been taught sooner the power of the disabled identity – with its rich history of challenging the status quo, winning rights and protections, and celebrating differences.

Disability is rooted in power. That is absolutely something to take great pride in and something that I bring into my work at The Nora Project, where I work each day to connect schools with curricula and professional learning that builds inclusive classrooms.

The Nora Project believes that all students should be able to come to school exactly as they are and be respected, honored and supported.

- Amie Richards

Amie Richards, M.Ed. is the Community Outreach Manager for The Nora Project, a nonprofit committed to building inclusive classrooms by providing Disability Studies-informed Social Emotional Learning curricula and professional learning opportunities for educators. The Nora Project believes that all students should be able to come to school exactly as they are and be respected, honored and supported. You can reach Amie at Amie@TheNoraProject.Ngo.

Watch The Nora Project's Brand Video here.