Handling Insensitive Questions About Our Disability

Responses when someone puts their foot in their mouth

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Image description: Neon red question mark light against a dark background. Photo by Simone Secci on Unsplash

Many of us have endured invasive questions. What’s wrong with you? In my case, those who knew me before, often ask: What happened to you? Or perhaps you’ve had to justify or prove your disability. These questions — rooted in ableism — not only force intimacy, but they also have the potential to retraumatize us.

This article in Reader’s Digest (a staple of my doctor’s office waiting room is available online) offers some great suggestions about ways to respond to some of the most common questions. This advice will help make an awkward situation a little less awkward, but more importantly, provide information and perspective to reduce these ableist tendencies.

13 “Polite” Ways You’re Talking About Disability That Are Actually Rude

Comment below with questions you’ve been asked and your responses.