Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

I didn't reply to this right away because I didn't want to make a snap -- and therefore snippy -- reply. But twenty-four hours and change later, and it's still kinda bothering me. Since it won't roll off my back, I guess I better spit it out:

The drama in -these- things comes from a non disabled person suddenly having a life altering event happen to them. House is disabled, and in a great deal of pain. He's angry about that, not only because he is in constant pain and unable to live his life the way he remembers doing it.. but because the diagnosis came too late to save his leg, and because now people have trouble taking a lot of things he says seriously

Um, yeah.

The fact is: you've just described (in general terms) the experience of most people who get slapped upside their life with disability. I, who was born with my condition, and for whom it has always been "normal," am in the distinct minority. A lot of people are in daily pain, and everyone who has had their life changed by disability has to deal with letting go of their old life, learning how to do everything differently, and coping with the fact that no one takes them seriously, any more, despite their genius.

But not everyone becomes the living example of the Angry!Crip Trope, especially if, like House, they've had years of experience with it under their belts. As a matter of fact, I think the AngryCrip is relatively rare (because, frankly, being that angry takes a hell of a lot of energy, and if you do have an acquired disability, your energy is best spent elsewhere).

And no, I don't believe you must to have always been disabled to have a balanced outlook on life. That's another ablist assumption: if you became disabled after having been "A success," you'll turn bitter and resentful toward the world over what you've lost. And the other side of that assumption: that if your impairment has always been part of who you are, you will go through this world cheerfully acting as an After-School Special for any curious stranger who approaches.

Um, no.

Yes, the writers need to have an understanding of life with a disability. But it's not like disabled people are as rare as the ivory-billed woodpecker. I bet you, dollars to donuts, that these writers have someone in their own family, or in their neighborhood who's disabled. Disability is much a part of the human condition as birth, death, old age and twists of fate.

Really.