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Barrier-Free Blog

What having a disability means?

10/30/2020

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​This blog post is different from what I normally post. This is just a free form write up on how having multiple disabilities affects my life. 

Having a disability means fighting everyday to prove why you’re worthy of receiving services.

Having a disability means fighting insurance, social security, and medicaid to prove why you need services.

Having a disability means having to explain what it is, what it means to you, and how it affects your life.

Having a disability is answering the same questions over and over again.

Having a disability means I may get judged just for having autism.

Having a disability means I have to protect my health especially in the season of COVID-19. 

Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a friend or not.

Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose a disability on a job interview.

Having a disability is deciding when I need to mask my autism and when I don't.

Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later. 

Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application.

Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older.

Having a disability is worrying about if I’ll be able to provide for myself when I’m older.

Having a disability means having an ABLE account.

Having a disability means signing over power of attorney at age 18.

Having a disability means my parents have to sit in on IEP meetings through kindergarten to twelfth grade.

Having a disability specifically autism is having scripted language so you don’t stumble on words when I speak.

Having a disability specifically autism means I prefer to have text communication over spoken communication.

Having a disability specifically autism means social communication is exhausting for me.

Having a disability specifically autism means having backup communication like text to speech in case of a meltdown or medical emergency where I’m unable to speak.

Having a disability means I’m unable to drive long distances.

Having a disability means time flies by or it goes super slow.
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Having a disability means I be hyperfocused on a task for a long period of time.


This blog is also posted on Photography through Autism Blog.
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Written by Emily Wachter

Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a social worker. In addition to autism, Emily has a plethora of other physical and mental conditions, which include: Attention Deficit Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, 3Q29 Deletion Syndrome, Non-classical Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and Deaf in my right ear. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Story & Core Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Booking Barrier-Free
    • Calendar
    • Stay Connected
  • Programs
    • Inclusive Theater Companies
    • Life Skills & Social Studio >
      • Intake for New Members
      • Weekly Registration
      • Studio FAQ
    • Individual Skill Coaching
    • Expressive Arts Programs
    • Music Studio >
      • Music Studio New Members
      • Weekly Registration
    • OUT Loud
    • Social Club
  • Get Involved
    • Enroll
    • Attend an Event
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
    • Jobs
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Donate
    • Sponsorship Levels