From my friend Gina's obituary on Sunday:
Bauer, Gina Suzanne, 34, went to meet the Lord to run and play on May 18, 2007.
Was she a woman with a disability who lived exactly the way she wanted, or was she a fucking puppy?
Why do people assume that just because a person is in a wheelchair or otherwise has some other type of disability that s/he is some poor, pitiful, depressed little creature whose only wish in life is to die so s/he can run and play like all the lucky, able-bodied people s/he has envied her/his entire life?
Note to ABs who just don't get it: We are not unhappy. We are not miserable. We don't give a flying rat's ass that seeing us makes some of you uncomfortable. Get over it. We're a fact of life -- like blue skies and wheat bread and that pimple on your forehead from eating too much greasy food. In fact, why don't you do us all a favor and worry about that pimple. We'll get along fine without your pity and without you talking to us like we're two years old. We don't want to hear about how brave and inspirational you think we are. We're living our lives the best way we know how -- just like you, you ignorant schmucks. We bathe, we get dressed, we go about our days. We want a home and a decent job and maybe to get laid once in a while. Oh, what? Did I offend your delicate sensibilities by saying we actually think about sex? Too damned bad. We do. Having a disability does not equal losing everything that it is to be human. We laugh, we cry, we fuck. Accept that sooner rather than later, and maybe we can get past all this stupidity sooner rather than later.
Note to anyone who knows me personally: If you hear anyone spouting that BS about me when I die, smack them.
4 comments:
Amen!!!
I will the slap the living daylights out of them for you or anyone.
I personally haven't ever thought Gina, or Michelle and the others as disabled.
You were and are able to do many more things than most people who I I see every day who can walk. Not many brains.
I wrote my senior seminar for my Bachelor's Degree concerning Miss-portrayals of disabilities in the media. So I couldn't resist but respond to your comment on this.
At first I thought they were getting that line you mentioned from the poem they put in Gina's Pamplet card thing.
But I didn't see where it really said "walk or run." but reading it again, I was completely wrong. I was thinking they were trying to make some sort of theme out of the poem. But no.
As I have personally observed especially with (god forbid, I'm going to say it..) MDA making it seem that those with MD who have wheelchairs and or walkers, or bed ridden are somehow imprissoned in a shell and perhaps will be better one day. *cough* And numerous kids some how disapear by the age of 21....
There was also research I had found where there was a movie about Vietnam Veterans coming home disabled and lines saying that they were better off dead. And that they became more fenimine characters no interest in reproduction...
I did use a scooter in college and I would shock people all the time, whamming doors open to let me through, and even standing up, shouting PRAISE JESUS! I CAN WALK!
Yes us disabled folks fuck, suck, Duck, Don't fuck ducks (well maybe some odd ones we don't know), we aren't always nice, Don't expect us to smile, No we do not have answers of why we are disabled for you, We don't even fucking know you.
Guys, If we pinch your ass, you are supposed to turn around and talk to us. (I love you Gina One for that one.)
If you did ever open the door for us in our lives, Thank you, that does help with me not having a sore hip later on.
Love,
Gina Two
PS: I'm thinking on going to Vegas and get married by Fat Elvis.
I see your point and agree that the first line in the obit was a little lame, but I am going to play devils advocate. It seems to be standard that people always say "they are better off" when somebody dies. I think this is a way to try & convince themselves that things are ok.
About the walking & running thing . . . I imagine heaven as being a place where you can do all that you can't do here on earth. Therefore, I will be looking forward to having a beautiful singing voice and being able to do cartwheels again (they hurt too much now)!
Maybe I am naive, but I think that the statements are being made are to try and make sense of a bad situation and bring comfort to themselves and others. I am sure there are people out there who are simple enough to think people with disabilities are better off dead, but I can't imagine that there are too many of those!
Dear Dawn,
AMEN!!!!!!!!! well said . .
I love you...... Ann
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