Member-only story
Daily Life with an Invisible Disability
Lately, I’ve been thinking about disabilities; my disability, and how everyone will someday become disabled if they are not already. More so, how the world we live in is not equipped for us. I struggle every day as an Autistic person — even as someone who is petite and who needs glasses.
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Our world is built for the typical, able-bodied man. Disappointed doesn’t cover the feeling of…betrayal. The world, really other human beings, have let so many of us down. Of course, it should go without saying, that there are many wonderful people out there who are supportive and understanding. But it’s so much easier to notice, in our day-to-day lives, the difficulties.
Commonplaceness Creates Invisibility
Autism aside for the moment, consider the example of wearing glasses. When one is experiencing blurry vision or has an issue or impairment of the eyes, they need prescription glasses. We take it for granted because of it’s commonplaceness. However, glasses are not cheap. Optometrist appointments are not cheap. You’re supposed to go once a year. I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford that. Especially if it means I might need a new pair of glasses for every annual appointment (my last appointment and new glasses cost a total of CAD $700).
