When My Disability Was Really Bad And My Handwriting Started Suffering, I Was Given The Choice Of A Wrist

When my disability was really bad and my handwriting started suffering, I was given the choice of a wrist splint or finger braces so my handwriting would stay 'normal,' but I said no, because I thought people would think it was weird or ask too many questions. I was 8 years old. A freaking 8 YEAR OLD already got influenced by ableist nature.

Do not tell someone their mobility aid isn’t cute.

Please, for the love of any god that exists and the ones that don’t too, don’t tell someone their mobility aid isn’t cute. Don’t tell them it ruins their outfit. Don’t tell them they’d look better without it. Don’t. 

Why? Because chances are, they were very insecure about it before. Maybe they still are. And also because it’s fucking ableist. You’re telling them that using a mobility aid looks bad. I don’t care if you think the outfit would look ten times better without it, keep that shit to yourself. You’re not the one wearing it and if the person has decided that their functionality is more important than their appearance, then that’s their choice to make, not yours. 

Mobility aids are there to help the person using them, not to appease your idea of beauty. 

And, not to mention, mobility aids are fucking cute. 

The braces worn on the outside of pants because that’s more comfortable or they don’t fit underneath or it’s uncomfortable otherwise? Rock on. Canes that are decorated or otherwise but let someone get around easier? Fantastic. Crutches that let someone participate in society? Amazing. Wheelchairs that mean someone doesn’t have to be in unnecessary pain? 10/10. Walkers that give someone the freedom to do things they want to? Spectacular. Freaking prosthetic limbs?? Iconic. Insulin or blood monitoring patches that means someone doesn’t have to be thinking about yet another thing while they go about their day? Beautiful. Feeding tubes that mean someone can fucking get nutrients? Cute as hell. 

If you have something that makes your life easier and you use it, that automatically makes you smart and hot. You have my permission to hit anyone who says otherwise (with your mobility aid if applicable). 

TL;DR: Mobility aids are cute and anyone who says otherwise is stupid.