Wrt Covid: healthy folks doing less than the most they can do to prevent spread is considered ableist because it increases the risk of death for some disabled folks (including me -- my risk of death from Omicron is 40% or so, because I have plasma cancer; it was much higher with earlier variants). The covid pandemic might actually be over for people with robust immune systems, and that's great news! But it's not over for me, and might never be. I don't think it's ableist for you to feel relieved about your herd immunity or to tell us about it. I also think your other reader may not have gotten the point across very well.
About ableism: I grew up throwing myself hard at a lot of challenges (poverty, caring for a mentally ill parent, raising a sibling), in spite of disabilities that started in my childhood (vision, mobility, immune function). I have achieved a lot, and been praised excessively for my resilience and achievements. But what I really want is for the world to value disabled folks as much other folks, by default. I promise I'll stop talking about ableism when it does ;0)
Loving the synchroncity Mo - yesterday I ditch the 'don't do it if it's uncomfortable' phrase I'd adopted as part of a 'biocentric' lifestyle, in the hands of a super physio. By the end of the session I'd gained movement in my neck, and it's increasing with every 'stretch and slump'. Thanks for expanding the lens.
Wise words, Mo. The grievance social politics we currently face limit the way we can speak to one another privately and publicly with nuance & care. I, for one, spend my days helping my clients better find their most healthy life and sense of well being. To label that as ableism seems wholly ridiculous to me. It is what the healing arts aim for every day, and what everyone intuitively seeks in their own bodies and circumstance.
To date, this is clearly my favorite piece of yours. I'm impressed by both your wisdom and your willingness to wade into swamps like this. Your observation that well-meaning intentions to illuminate the shadow side of classic virtues have spiraled downward and your call for balance seem spot on, as does the practice of leaning into our edge. Nothing changes "out there" until something changes inside, in the world behind our eyes. Learning to sit with rather than turn away from our discomfort is the only way I know to expand our capacity ... for compassion and equanimity, for resilience, for personal agency. Thank you.
This might be one of my favorite Unfurlings. Everything is so topsy-turvy right now, and we see it reflected in how subjectively we use language, so that even when we're genuinely trying to be aware and sensitive and thoughtful, things still get so messy.
I appreciate that you dare to wade into these places that are unresolved and evolving and unclear. It's good for us to practice that with one another.
I marvel at your wisdom!
Wrt Covid: healthy folks doing less than the most they can do to prevent spread is considered ableist because it increases the risk of death for some disabled folks (including me -- my risk of death from Omicron is 40% or so, because I have plasma cancer; it was much higher with earlier variants). The covid pandemic might actually be over for people with robust immune systems, and that's great news! But it's not over for me, and might never be. I don't think it's ableist for you to feel relieved about your herd immunity or to tell us about it. I also think your other reader may not have gotten the point across very well.
About ableism: I grew up throwing myself hard at a lot of challenges (poverty, caring for a mentally ill parent, raising a sibling), in spite of disabilities that started in my childhood (vision, mobility, immune function). I have achieved a lot, and been praised excessively for my resilience and achievements. But what I really want is for the world to value disabled folks as much other folks, by default. I promise I'll stop talking about ableism when it does ;0)
Loving the synchroncity Mo - yesterday I ditch the 'don't do it if it's uncomfortable' phrase I'd adopted as part of a 'biocentric' lifestyle, in the hands of a super physio. By the end of the session I'd gained movement in my neck, and it's increasing with every 'stretch and slump'. Thanks for expanding the lens.
Wise words, Mo. The grievance social politics we currently face limit the way we can speak to one another privately and publicly with nuance & care. I, for one, spend my days helping my clients better find their most healthy life and sense of well being. To label that as ableism seems wholly ridiculous to me. It is what the healing arts aim for every day, and what everyone intuitively seeks in their own bodies and circumstance.
To date, this is clearly my favorite piece of yours. I'm impressed by both your wisdom and your willingness to wade into swamps like this. Your observation that well-meaning intentions to illuminate the shadow side of classic virtues have spiraled downward and your call for balance seem spot on, as does the practice of leaning into our edge. Nothing changes "out there" until something changes inside, in the world behind our eyes. Learning to sit with rather than turn away from our discomfort is the only way I know to expand our capacity ... for compassion and equanimity, for resilience, for personal agency. Thank you.
This might be one of my favorite Unfurlings. Everything is so topsy-turvy right now, and we see it reflected in how subjectively we use language, so that even when we're genuinely trying to be aware and sensitive and thoughtful, things still get so messy.
I appreciate that you dare to wade into these places that are unresolved and evolving and unclear. It's good for us to practice that with one another.
Beautifully said, Mo!