Everyday ableism: the impact on mental health

Topics mentioned: disability and mental health, self-esteem, anger

About: Claire explains the impact ableism has on her mental health, The Social Model of Disability, and her tips for setting boundaries and dealing with ableism.

Ableism: unfair and negative attitudes towards Disabled people, a form of discrimination.

I have never liked or thrived off attention from others. I much prefer to blend into the background. There are many reasons why this might be, ranging from a lack of confidence to being happy in my own company. But most of all, my dislike of attention stems from the unnecessary and frequent comments I get from often well-meaning strangers (or sometimes professionals) about the obvious fact that I am Disabled.

As a Disabled person (and more specifically a powered wheelchair user) it is often impossible to go out without attracting unwanted and negative interactions. People say things like ‘have you got a driving license for that?’ (referring to my powered wheelchair) and pitying comments or intrusive questions about my medical history e.g. ‘what’s wrong with you?’. This is unfortunately what ableism looks like in everyday life.

Navigating these types of interactions regularly can feel exhausting, isolating, and frustrating, ultimately taking a toll on the mental health of Disabled people. The influence that ableism has on our mental health may be significant. I sometimes feel hesitant about meeting new people as I’m aware of the assumptions that are made about me, often even before we start a conversation. Ableism can lead to many feelings other than anxiety, like poor self-esteem, distress, anger, or a deep sense of injustice – whatever you feel it is valid!

If you relate to my experience, it’s important to acknowledge that. Often awareness of an issue (e.g. ableism) is the first step towards taking action against it. There are many things you could do to try to protect your mental health from the impact of ableism, but first off, acknowledge that you deserve to feel good about yourself! Being surrounded by people who appreciate you for exactly who you are is crucial – whether that is family, friends, colleagues, support workers or caregivers, or a mixture of all of these people! Creating your own support network can help to counteract the effects of ableism.

Misconceptions about being Disabled are common, but it’s not your job to address them or educate others about your disability. Disability is a very personal and sensitive matter, and not something you necessarily want to discuss with a stranger while wandering around your local park. For me, understanding the Social Model of Disability has helped me better articulate many aspects of my life and why misconceptions can have such an impact on us.

For those of you who are new to the concept, the Social Model is about recognising and removing barriers to our participation in society. It states that inaccessible environments, unfair attitudes, and beliefs disable us – and that taking these restrictions away can enable us to thrive as Disabled people. For those of you that find analogies helpful – think of the Social Model as a plant in your garden. If the plant is not growing, you might move it to a sunnier spot or water it more frequently – not change the plant itself. I hope this introduction to the Social Model proves beneficial for your mental health.

I hope this blog helps you realise that ableism is not your fault. You deserve to take up space as a Disabled person!