Send Me More Stories About Chronic Illness
What does it mean to be normal? There’s lots of ways to answer that question, but if we’re being honest, most people would probably not consider chronic illness and disability as part of the recipe. But that’s wrong. In our lifetimes, every person will get sick, manage a health condition, or become disabled, so it’s *just* as normal–if not more so–to be dealing with these issues as it is to be walking around in so-called “good health,” with no health conditions whatsoever.
That got us thinking. If the average person’s definition of normal is so far off-base, what would the world look like if people with disablities got to define the idea of a ‘normal’ life?
So through our Twitter account, we asked our community, and the answers we got back were amazing. Here’s some of the best we received:
"Would you date a healthy person?" would exist
"Lack of healthcare" wouldn't be a concept
"Work" defined according to quality if life, not bureaucratic survival of the fittest
Everywhere is accessible
Why do all these abled people want to take our jobs?#normal #disability
— BeingCharis (@BeingCharisBlog) December 8, 2017
The onus would be on abled people to prove they're abled if they need funding of any kind. Otherwise, it will be assumed they're faking it and deserve a life of poverty.
— Charlotte Issyvoo (@CIssyvoo) December 8, 2017
Mobility devices would be more tricked out than cars.
Benches, chairs, and water fountains would be everywhere.
People would show off new joint braces, casts, etc, as if they were diamonds.
Abled ppl would demand representation in media using abled ppl.
— Spoonie Warrior (@spwarriortweets) December 8, 2017
Also mobility devices would be more affordable
— Such(BirthdayMonth)Wow♿ (@ChronicFinance) January 7, 2018
On top of what other people have said:
Universal basic income and no pressure to work if you cant.
Better health care world wide, no long waits in waiting rooms and comfy chairs and wifi in them
Fashion would fit more body types and include comfy shoes, clothes
— Such(BirthdayMonth)Wow♿ (@ChronicFinance) January 7, 2018
Footpaths would be universal and well maintained,
mobility devices would be affordable and accessible and not remotely seen as sad
The fields of psychology, psychiatry and medicine would be accessible and not biased
Everything would be accessible.
— Such(BirthdayMonth)Wow♿ (@ChronicFinance) January 7, 2018
Education would be accessible and cater to those with learning disabilities, chronic illness, adhd, etc and those that are autistic, Deaf, blind, etc
All buildings with more than one floor would have lifts
No lips on any door or step up to get inside
— Such(BirthdayMonth)Wow♿ (@ChronicFinance) January 7, 2018
To start, the look would definitely include pajamas and other comfy clothes.
— Spoonie Warrior (@spwarriortweets) December 8, 2017
Siestas or other forms of daily rest periods would become the standard.
— Jed Finley (@JediMaster941) December 8, 2017
MMJ would be available in every state.
Science would be working hard on finding treatments that actually work and dont cost a lot.
Ankylosing Spondylitis? Lupus? EDS? (Etc) what is that? Would never be spoken.
— Jed Finley (@JediMaster941) December 8, 2017
When you get offered a job and ask about sick days vs vacation days, the answer would be something like, "Vacation days are 2 weeks per year. Sick days? That's every day. Did you mean to ask about surprise healthy days so you can take off and have some fun?"
— BeingCharis (@BeingCharisBlog) December 8, 2017
-Accessibility everywhere!
-Never having to justify your health.
-Doctors that were expected to be thorough and take their time w pts.
-Jobs with flexible hours and comfortable work spaces would be standard.
-HEALTH CARE!
-Disabled actors would play all sorts of roles in media— Farrah Kaeser (@farrahgarland) January 6, 2018
We would never hear it's in your head EVER AGAIN!!
— ????Sick Sickly♿ (@SickSicklySher) December 8, 2017
Yes! Doctor's would actually believe their patients!
"Miracle cures" (snake oil) would cease to exist. Anyone caught attempting to profit off of other's illnesses by pushing fake cures would be jailed.
"Walk it off" would be an unheard of expression.
— Spoonie Warrior (@spwarriortweets) December 8, 2017
What do you think? What would the world look like if people with chronic illness or disabilities got to define the definition of ‘normal’? Follow us on Twitter @folkstories and let us know!
