I’ve had a fair few people tell me I could have it worse, and I should be greatful I woke up. But I really don’t understand this mindset. I really don’t understand why we can’t just accept that everyone has truma, that we all have problems, and they are all valid. Instead of deciding that some peoples problems seem worse than others.

Out of context and with little understanding of the bigger picture, some of the areas of innaccessiblity that I’ve been posting about may seem minor. But a post about pavement parking is about a lot more than pavement parking. It’s really about the awareness and consideration society has for disabled people. So many people have never even considered how parking incorrectly can make a journey dangerous for a disabled person. And unfortunately some disagree when you raise the issue.

They think they’re bigger problems and I don’t really understand where that idea comes from. Why can’t we just accept everyones problems are valid. Without making them feel like there problems don’t matter.

Just because you don’t understand why a problem is a problem doesn’t make it not a problem.

Unfortunately because of the inherent ableism and inaccessibility of society, many of the problems disabled people raise can often seem minor to those who have never experienced them. In a world where a step isn’t a problem for most people, it can be hard for some to understand why it’s such a problem, why it’s more than an inconvenience for others.

I guess I just wanted to say that all problems are valid, no matter how big or how small it may seem to others. If you are facing inaccessiblity you are entitled to complain about that. It is not your fault and you’re allowed to be annoyed by it. No matter what others are dealing with. That doesn’t make your issues any less valid. And don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise.