I wish you knew how much it affected me when you, a stranger in a public washroom, loudly said: “don’t you just hate it when normal people use the handicapped stalls?” I wish you knew that the word handicapped has fallen out of favour; disabled is not a bad word. I wish you knew that saying “normal people” implies that someone who is disabled is abnormal or fundamentally flawed. I wish you knew that not all disabilities are visible. I wish you knew that I am disabled. I wish you knew how mortified I was having to walk out of the stall and head towards the sink, terrified that everyone else in the washroom agreed with you. I wish you knew how devastated I was about what you said. I wish you knew that it took me months to use an accessible washroom stall after your comment. I wish you knew that what you said fueled the imposter syndrome and self-doubt that I had been trying so hard to fight. I wish you knew that I am stronger now, and would likely counter your comment with: “don’t you just hate when people assume all disabilities are visible?” I am glad you said this about me, someone with a strong support system and surrounded by people who understand. I hope that you never said this to anyone else, because as much as it affected me, it could have affected someone else in a much more dangerous way. For everything I wish you knew then, I hope you know more now.
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The Future is Accessible
Society for Students with a Disability
3800 Finnerty Road
Student Union Building, Room B111