http://www.123exp-culture.com/t/03601003880/
Yesterday was blogging against disablism day!

I forgot about this day yesterday, so today calls for my blog. I think it’s kinda on the topic of disablism.

I went to Clark (the comm college) this week to help T with her English paper. We were in the cafeteria/student center because T is a bit too loud for the library, so we work in the cafeteria.

Before I move on, I feel the need to give a disclaimer. I do not wish to attack religious people or any religion. I am a religious person. And I am a Mormon. My family is non-practicing, but I am. I know what itis like to be persecuted and scoffed at–

Anyway, I was sitting with T, helping her write her paper, just minding our own business, when this girl came up to us (actually me; she was obviously staring at my chair), asking us our names and stuff. I really thought she’d go away once she realized I could outwit her, but she didn’t. Finally, she asked if she could pray for me. Now, I have people ask me this A LOT. And it always touches my heart, and well, I need as many prayers as I can get (not necessarily because of my health…but prayers are good in my experience). I said yes, thinking she would add me to her prayer list, and we’d both feel good. But no, she didn’t mean she wanted to personally pray for me later, she started praying for me RIGHT THERE.

I really had no objections to her prayer – she mentioned Jesus a lot. I believe in Jesus as well (she’d probably argue with me on that one.) But the whole thing left me feeling so weird. It was so awkward.

I try to ignore what society perceives me as. I have always been the same cool person, disabled or not. I know who I am, but some other people (not all) seem not to. That is the hardest part of becoming more disabled as time goes on. Some people tend to look down on me. They think I am a half-wit. Some people won’t even dare look me in the eye (I am contagious. Just look in my eyes and you’ll catch it!) I am regarded as less than in the working world too. I can’t get a job. I just applied for a $10 an hour job an I have a Master’s Degree. A degree I earned on my own – full time, like everybody else. Religion looks down on me. People choose me (whose body is so broken that I MUST be a sinner an I am the only one in a busy cafeteria that needs a prayer. I know the prayer was done out of love (which is why I just humbly said amen instead of telling that girl off), but I can’t help but fel some pity too.

And that left me with a bad taste in my mouth.