Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine July 2021 | Page 34

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Ableism - sometimes unknowingly , other times deliberately expressed : I want to first define my understanding of ableism . It ' s when bodies are placed on a spectrum based on their looks , abilities , and productivity . A person like me , for example :
First , I don ' t look like the " norm ." This automatically makes me less attractive , less desired , unworthy , understandably single / childless . And my partner instantly becomes a hero for being with me .
Instagram page exits only two years , most of my latest travel posts are from Israel . If I had to choose one place , it would be Jerusalem ' s old town . Although not very accessible , so very special !
Being brought up in such a society without any disabled people around , these were my views . I felt sorry for the disabled , made assumptions about their lives and abilities . Although somehow , intuitively , I knew that asking invasive questions was a no-no , I never treated them as equals .
When I was first diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy , I believed my life was over . My family did as well . I believed that no one will ever want this broken version of me . I believed it to the point that to avoid heartache , I sabotaged every potential relationship . That ' s one example of internalized ableism .
Travel and my appreciation of nature : I have been traveling for two decades , in Israel and around the world . Since 2018 , I started traveling in a wheelchair and only made it to three countries before the
Israel as an accessible country : For a tourist , Israel is mostly accessible . There are quite a few accessible transportation options ( taxis , trains , city buses ). Most National Parks and Nature Reserves were made accessible along with beaches , museums , tourist attractions , and hotels .
For someone who lives here , it ' s a different story . Along with some positives such as equal healthcare and partial mobility aids funding , there ' s still much work to be done . But we ' re moving in the right direction .
@ rollwithasmileblog