Pride and disability

I completely agree that this is really what all these 'Pride' celebrations are about (Gay Pride, Autistic Pride ... whatever). Perhaps the word 'Pride' is not wholly correct here because it leads to the conclusion that one should be proud of being gay or autistic per se, which, as you rightly say, should not be the case at all. What would you think or expect, for example, of a "Non-Smokers Pride Day" or a "Bottom of the Class Pride Day" or an "I've Got a Nose in My Face Pride Day". The use of "Pride" in these situations is clearly either invidious or irrelevant, whether or not the cause itself needs more recognition. I think that everyone has a right to be proud (that is, unashamed) of being themselves but that is quite a different kind of 'pride' to the one that goeth before a fall! The trouble is that the word 'Pride' has two different meanings. In one respect it is a 'desirable' attribute (as it is intended to be in the "Pride Day" sense) but it can also mean something to be avoided and the way that "Pride Days" tend to go, it is the latter meaning which sometimes seems unintentionally more appropriate!

I am a teacher and I have taught an autistic child. I have three of my own children and my 4 year old son is disabled. He has got spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He is in a wheelchair because he is unable to walk. He has catheter care day and night. Some parents find out their child is disabled before birth and I found out at 36 weeks pregnancy. Other parents find out as soon as their baby is born. Some parents find out their child is disabled when he or she is at nursery school or at primary school. I know some parents know something is wrong but nobody knows what it is. So 18th June is Autistic Pride Day so I believe like you say it is a case of them saying " I am proud to be me and this is part of me". We celebrate that the disabled person is alive and can do some tasks which are difficult for him or her. Normal children find it so easy to stand and walk yet it is impossible for my little boy. I celebrate that he has developed upper body strength and deals with all the hospital visits very well.

I am also disabled and I really enjoy displaying disability pride all that comes with it.I think the reason there are pride days for people who feel the need to celebrate that they have survived all this oppression that comes with belonging to this or that identity group. As someone who goes through multiple levels of oppression daily I can tell you it's no easy feat.

Broadly I agree with you. However, if the day is about saying "hey look at us we're different and entitled to special treatment" then I am not for it at all.

Well, people who are not intimidated with others even if they have disabilities are healthy emotionally. This means they have full moral support from family and friends therefore they are not insecure of their situation. Another thing is that when a disabled person is talented, he can do things that some normal people can not do, this would also help him to overcome his feeling of being insecure. His accomplishments boost his personality as he is.

Yeah. I guess it means that being an autistic doesn't make them less of a person and so they made a "Pride Day". Which makes a lot of sense to me :)

i have to say that it's more a pride of being an individual not as a physically or mentally challenged individual. the achievements these people are part of their being a separate individual from the rest.