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caregiver help pixie baking

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The other day, I got yet another person telling me to use nonspeaking, since I have literacy skills and can type my words.

I realize the privilege I have over those who are unable, or not allowed. I realize that my experience of becoming nonverbal later in life is a privilege because I’m able to use my skills from before and use them in such a way that makes me able to communicate. That allows me to express my thoughts, feelings, and wants. That allows me to get my words out in a new way. That allows me to express myself in a way that society deems appropriate. I am lucky, and privileged for that. I realize that privilege.

That does not however mean that someone can tell me the language that I can use for myself. That does not mean I cannot use nonverbal for myself. That does not mean that I can’t reclaim it, that I can’t relate to it. That I, as a person unable to speak with an intellectual disability, can’t use a word that was marked for “people like me” people unable to speak who are intellectually disabled.

The history of nonspeaking is still there. It was still made to separate themselves from those who are intellectually and cognitively disabled. The history still rages through the community. Still worded in bold letters saying “nonspeaking doesn’t mean intellectually disabled”

And yet, sometimes it does. And so, I reclaim the word nonverbal. If you want to be separated from me then fine. Be separate from me. Use your word, I’ll use mine. I’ll stay here with my friends, with my intellectually disabled people, with them. Because I can.

The other day, I had a fight with a nonspeaking person. They said they don’t use nonverbal because it implies that you’re intellectually disabled. Which it doesn’t which it doesn’t do. It is another word for those who do not speak all the time. It is not a word just for the intellectually disabled, although some people believe so. That person said that it is ok to separate yourself from those who are intellectually disabled. That it is ok to not want to be associated with them. I don’t think that people realize the harm of separating yourself from a whole group of people. A marginalized group. A group that is constantly talked over, that is constantly thrown under the bus. It is HARMFUL to separate yourself from a whole group of people. They tried to justify it, saying they don’t want to be associated with intellectually disabled people because it’s been assumed that they are intellectually disabled. And fine, no one should assume. But why is it so bad? Why is it so bad to be assumed to be intellectually disabled? Why is it worse than being assumed of having another disorder? Why is it only the quote on quote “bad disorders” that are so terrible. That are outright horrible? Why is that? It is not terrible to be assumed. Simply correct, and move on with your day. Fight against the stigma. Fight against the assumptions. Not the group. Not the group that has been working so hard to be heard and listened too.

Stop fighting against intellectually disabled people. Fight with them, not against them.

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I saw that people were sending Pixie pictures of their pets, so here is my dog Melody! Melody took a shower today, so she is extra fluffy. She’s also a service dog like Sunshine is.

fluffy 🦮 !! :) :) :) thank you for share !

Claudia :

A tailor-made greeting! Just for us!

I'm so VERY excited to try it out,

ooh la la!

Kiki :

So great to feel the fresh air on my

face. Makes it worth leaving home!

Merry :

Hey! I was just thinking about you!

Meep!

Poppy :

I notice these things, or maybe it's

just that I notice neat folks like

you, hammie.