I have spent a long time over thinking about writing this, but I conclude that as it is my blog, then I can if I want.

And this is what I want to say, which out of decency I haven't posted to a forum....

People are people.  There must be a trillion traits, of which a million (may) make up an individual... it makes no odds how able you may or may not be, physically, mentally or otherwise.

The main thing that concerns me with any disability is 'the label'.  I resent it. 

Anybody can achieve anything.  As far as I'm concerned, there are no disabilities, unless you are literally at the point where you can't argue with me, and then, at that level, it's a very different issue.  For the time being, assuming all the negativity that stems from this is informed, then I believe it to be worth discussing.

Ergh, ok, anybody can't achieve anything. But nobody is bound by anyone.  Not really.

Everything is a matter of opinion.  As an example, when I lived in Bath, there was a bloke who drew very poor pictures of half empty beer and cider glasses... ended up selling one and getting a barge... and he had no talent, I am more than certain... I even tried to give him sandwiches from time to time and he quite clearly wished I was dead, and tried to instigate the event.

I've worked with (more-than-me) able-minded people who despite their inability to move unaided have shown incredible levels of inhibition and gratitude, plus much wit aided with sarcasm.  I cannot respect someone more, than the people who have been forced to cope with me through a physical disability.  (I won't give them the link to this blog because believe it or not, the disabled community are not at all PC!)

Still, it remains today that society very much likes to label everything.  When I was a child, I was labelled ADHD, but my (charmingly demanding) mother said NO!  She's just a pain!  Well, whether it was true or not is irrelevant in many ways, the point is that no exceptions were made: I was treated in a very strict manner, and though I still have to do a toe dance when I have to sit still... I do manage to stay put for a period of time.  I just think that a person can be further messed up by people bowing to their every need.  Opposition is not always a bad thing.

I have also worked with complete wankers, who are just that.  They may have every mental and physical disability under the sun... they are still human, and I am still able to like or dislike them. 

When did it become a fact of our inner selves that we were judged on ability rather than personality???

I can honestly say that I would rather spend time with someone that intellectually stimulated me, than someone who can't, yet can play cricket...

I have conversed with so many people who are physically disabled over my years, and it seems we share the same bugbear... Why don't other people just speak their mind?  Without question, the first joke I make to someone in a wheelchair will be about drinking and getting legless.  I don't mean offence, they don't take offence.  Random strangers take offence.  I can't even be bothered to discuss it anymore... until we start to accept that people are people (individual personalities) as opposed to boxed disorders and 'additional needs'... then we're going nowhere.  Change is slow, but all change starts with acceptance.