I’ve never had a positive school experience, and sadly this is actually very common for Disabled children and teens - in fact, Disabled children are two to three times more likely to be bullied or experience discrimination than their able-bodied peers.
So you could imagine the bullying was pretty consistent throughout my schooling years - not only from other kids but from teachers too. It probably didn’t help that I lived in an isolated small town with a population of only 37,000 - with maybe only a handful of those in wheelchairs or using other medical equipment. So not much of a disabled representation for Lil Noell.
By the time I was 9 years old I had already moved to 3 different Primary schools due to the severe bullying and isolation I was experiencing. I think what is most traumatizing and still sticks with me is the teachers who were fully aware of their actions, unlike kids who just automatically bully the odd one out. That’s why I can’t preach enough about the importance of Inclusive education and the training needed for teachers serving Disabled children. Because the ongoing trauma therapy still needed at 23 years old is probably something I’ll be unpacking for many years to come or potentially the rest of my life.
Before I started using a wheelchair at the age of 11, I was using a walking frame because I was incredibly unsteady on my own. The slightest nudge and I would lose my balance, and sometimes my legs would randomly give out underneath me - so my knees were constantly bruised and bloody at the end of most school days. Because of this, you can imagine how my parents were - very protective, and always fully explained my disability to every teacher I had. One teacher in particular even being aware of my situation would purposely put my stuff on the bottom shelf - even though my parents explained my knees would give out if I were to bend down. The same teacher would also make me walk around the field and I wasn’t allowed to stop until I finished - she believed the more I worked the more strength I would build - which is complete BULLSHIT and AGAIN my parents explained that’s not how my degenerative disability works and I could actually do more harm than good to my muscles. But she didn’t listen, so that meant Lil ol Noell was forced to keep walking even if everyone else was back in class learning, eating lunch, and even if it started raining.
A constant ‘teacher knows best’ scenario and little did I know I would be experiencing this all the way up until my college years.
I also just want to note that this won’t be the case for every Disabled individual attending school or that every teacher is an ableist horrendous monster - I’m speaking on my own experiences that I had with SOME teachers, SOME kids my age, and the schools I attended.
But I thought instead of going into every single act of discrimination I have dealt with - because we would be here for HOURSS. I figured I would just name a few common ones that I know others have experienced as well and ways to combat these acts of bullying and ableism for a better inclusive future in our education system and in general.
Say Disabled - Let’s start off with terms you should NEVER use and immediately take out of your vocabulary. Special needs - this is insinuating our needs are special, when in fact they are the same, they are human, humans have needs to survive, and because of this we should easily be able to fully participate in society just as much as you can. In saying that ables also assume the word is okay to use since it has ‘special’ in it, when in fact we all know a lot of people use that word as an insult. The only word you should be using is Disabled - There is nothing wrong or offensive about the word, it’s the underlying stigma attached to it created by able-bodied people as something to pity or look down on. Other words you should avoid using to save you some serious embarrassment are “Handi-capable”, “People of all abilities”, “Different abilities” and “Differently abled” so just stop. Say Disabled.
Talk to us directly - When you see someone with a disability especially if it’s your student or classmate don’t automatically assume they cannot communicate. This is a huge one that I still deal with it. I’ve had teachers talk about me to my parents right next to me assuming I don’t understand anything they are saying. I’ve had kids that were my age approach my parents and even the kids around me to ask ‘what’s wrong with her?’ instead of talking to me directly. It’s a very dehumanizing and gut-wrenching feeling I must say, even still at the age of 23.
Medical privacy - Don’t put any of your Disabled students on blast in front of the whole class or in front of anyone in general. No other student likes all eyes on them, especially if it’s a personal matter. So why do it to us? I’ve had a teacher ask about my bathroom needs in high school in front of a bunch of other students and they all laughed as she continued to talk about it. It’s the lack of human decency and consideration for me. Try waiting for us or the parents to come to you first about our medical needs, if it’s important ask it in private - preferably before or after school hours. We deserve the rights to hold our basic human dignity.
The importance of inclusivity during school activities - I can’t tell you the number of times I was left out of school trips and fun group activities. Simply because they didn’t want to accommodate my needs. I was either told to stay home or stay in class and do school work and on rare occasions, I was given a school camera to take action photos during sports days. - not as fun as you think. At a young age, I was already experiencing isolation - 90% of children with disabilities experience loneliness and are socially isolated. So what can schools do to ensure Disabled students can equally participate in activities?! Simple. Try harder, do research, privately reach out to the parents/student for ideas and or solutions, and acknowledge the needs of ALL your students. Start doing more than the bare minimum.
This is not even 5% of the discriminative issues we face in the schooling system. That’s why the importance of Inclusive education and the training needed for teachers serving Disabled children and teens should be a requirement. Just like it should be a requirement to teach inclusiveness and equality in all classrooms. So, don’t be a trash human. Actually take the time to listen to us and be inclusive.
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