I love how Aimee shed light on how using the word "disabled" and its related synonyms can make a person feel. She herself said her voice broke after reading the word "mangled." I do not have a disability, but I can imagine someone who does would lose self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. A person should not be minimized or reduced to their disability or diagnosis. One thing she said that stood out was that the language changes that we use to describe people with disabilities hasn't caught up with the advances made in our society. This is why using person-first language is so critical.
Another thing that stood out to me that she said was that adversity is not overcoming an obstacle and coming out unscathed. This can be applied to everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. Adversity is part of what makes us who we are; it is a part of us. It is not something we can over or get through and move on. Facing adversity makes us stronger, not weaker. We all, at some point in our lives, have had moments where we feel like things just aren't going our way or things will never get better. If we think that things will never get better, then they won't, but if we persevere through our trials and come out on top, we can better relate to our patients and clients that we work with. If they see a living, breathing example of someone who struggles and isn't perfect, that can instill a hope in them that they can do anything.
Having a disability doesn't make you "disabled", it just makes you different, special, and unique.
Facing adversity doesn't mean you went through many trials and came out untouched. Because of your trials, you are stronger.
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