I’ve been told that some people think it’s kinda complimentary to call me #brave for going to the #gym in my #wheelchair but the truth is I’m actually a little hurt each time it happens. Why? 🤔 Because it implies that by ‘daring’ to expose my #imperfect#body to the world and ‘daring to be seen’ in public, I should be #ashamed of my disability. But nothing could be further from the truth. ☺ Maybe I would be brave if my gym was on fire and I was rescuing people mid-workout! 😂 You might think, “it’s just a word don’t worry,” but words #create thoughts which create #cultural attitudes. If we want to change cultural #attitudes around things like #disability, those little words do matter. 🌎 I’m mentioning this today because it’s ANZAC Day here in Australia. Today we recognise real #heroes, #fighters and brave souls who have served and are still serving our country.
Words like “brave” and others mentioned above are often misused in the media to describe disabled people doing rather insignificant tasks which is probably why the words are misused by the public too.
I’ve been discussing this with a #journalism#professor from California State University who is doing #research around these sorts of things (and more). Not that it matters but it’s worth noting that he has a disability so completely understands the the use and misuse of language and why words matter. So of course he also knows what #inspirationporn is all about. My search for other disabled Australians with a comms industry background resulted in only a small handful of people so I started looking #overseas. If there are any others out there, please get in touch because we’re few and far between! ☺ I wrote an article about all of this (being called brave at the gym) for the @HuffPost and you’ll find the link in the bio. ♿ For anyone interested in this sort of thing (language, disability and media), I highly recommend you take a look at the most recent post from my #friend@meesa_claire – She is just across the ditch in #NewZealand so will also be paying respects this #ANZAC Day. Lest We Forget. #lestweforget#mediadiversity#inclusion#adinclusion#diversity#attitudechallenge 📷by @chicozphotography
Brave is being scared to do something, but doing it anyway. I imagine there are plenty of things that are scary, but a gym probably isn’t one! Great post!
Great statement with which I very much agree. The words ‘brave’ and ‘inspiration’ lose their meaning and end up showing the speaker to be a little lazy to fall back on a socially approved ‘compliment.'
I am deaf myself. Of course some people think they can understand what you and disablity are thru. NOT! it is different. it is on level of what you can do. I cant hear anything it is only invisible disablity but I can do workout. for you and others works more double because of that reasons. I learned a lot from that. I am very grateful to learn more from you and others because you and others are very strong and tough people. I am very proud of you! it didnt matter what stop you from doing it. it is what you know to do and willing to try. keep up with it. Girl, you can do it!!
@fibooza I agree and it's a shame they lose their meaning because they are very powerful words that could be used for some remarkable people doing extraordinary things.
I certainly have thanks @sweet.satellite - Her TED talk is one of my favorites. Stella was a phenomenal advocate and her words of wisdom are missed by many.
Congrats on an awesome post
Awww my beautiful sweetheart xx
I 💯 agree @lisacox.co . I also think standing ovations are misused! What I will say is three cheers for you and your succinct captions and thoughts!
Ah, yes! 👏🏼We’re all existing in the world. Most of us are using what we have to do our very best. I’m not brave, I’m human. 💙
Brave is being scared to do something, but doing it anyway. I imagine there are plenty of things that are scary, but a gym probably isn’t one! Great post!
👏👏👏👏
Ты очень красивая
Nice
Buongiorno bellissima
A great post, Lisa. Wise points, well made. Thanks for sharing, especially on Anzac Day.
🌹
👌Sí que importan las palabras. Mucho! #YoTambiénSoyDiferente #Imalsodifferent
@lahltn
You are exquisitely human which makes you beyond brave. The wheels just give ya an extra set of wings 😉
Great statement with which I very much agree. The words ‘brave’ and ‘inspiration’ lose their meaning and end up showing the speaker to be a little lazy to fall back on a socially approved ‘compliment.'
I am deaf myself. Of course some people think they can understand what you and disablity are thru. NOT! it is different. it is on level of what you can do. I cant hear anything it is only invisible disablity but I can do workout. for you and others works more double because of that reasons. I learned a lot from that. I am very grateful to learn more from you and others because you and others are very strong and tough people. I am very proud of you! it didnt matter what stop you from doing it. it is what you know to do and willing to try. keep up with it. Girl, you can do it!!
Well said! 💪🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Que Deus te abençoe sempre!
nice
Great post, Lisa. Thank you.
You 🆒😸💎💎💎💎
@fibooza I agree and it's a shame they lose their meaning because they are very powerful words that could be used for some remarkable people doing extraordinary things.
Thanks @wellnessatworkau
Totally agree Kelly - wearing white while I drink coffee scares the crap out of me but not going to the gym ☺ @kelly.elizabeth.james
@baldnbodacious Exactly!
Thanks @penelope_bell_illustration - I'm not sure they're always that succinct though! #tenancytoramble ☺
@freedompaddler you're absolutely right! They certainly can xx
@joysprinkler Brisbane in summer feels like the tropics!
Thanks Alexandra ☺ I'd love to read your work if you could send me a link? @alex.r.hudson
I certainly have thanks @sweet.satellite - Her TED talk is one of my favorites. Stella was a phenomenal advocate and her words of wisdom are missed by many.
Greetings
Bella saludos de Brasil ♿😎⚘😙👏👏👏
Love you
💚💜♥️❤️🖤🧡🙏🙏🙏💋💋
So attractive 👍🏼
Fabulous
Fabulous
Fabulous
Beautiful smile friend keep going on
Your smile can change the world❤️