Why being called an inspiration may be uncomfortable for some people with disabilities
Rebecca Alexander, LCSW-R, MPH, RYT, PLLC
Psychodynamic Psychotherapist | Author | Keynote Speaker | Disability Rights Advocate | Extreme Athlete & Accessible Fitness Coach
Let’s be clear, I always know that when people call me an inspiration they are well-intended and mean it as a compliment.
It seems that people generally call me an inspiration because I’ve climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, swam from Alcatraz to shore, and became a psychotherapist — all while living with a progressive disability. Sometimes I wonder, if I didn’t have a disability, would people still think of me as inspirational?
I've struggled to understand why being called an inspiration has never truly sat well with me. When people commend me for what I've accomplished while living with a disability, it often feels like they're placing me in a superhuman category—someone they can't relate to or connect with on a human level.
The truth is, what should be most inspirational about me is my willingness to embrace my humanity and all of the vulnerability and discomfort that comes with it — like navigating a dark and unfamiliar street, allowing myself to deepen my trust in my cane and myself. Experiencing, tolerating, and even making room for others' discomfort with my disability on a daily basis is also something that I believe should be considered inspirational.
It is in these moments of learning new skills and relying on my sense of touch and my cane's feedback that I find myself truly inspiring.
WA State Government Consultant; MIT Student of Digital Transformation; Heroine to Himalayas Nonprofit Founder; and Volunteer at Champion Center and the Red Cross
7 个月I find your various accomplishments to be remarkable. I find your explanation of trusting your cane accessible and descriptive; helping rope me into that moment. I must admit…I’m going to google Psychodynamic Psychotherapist…and admittedly wanted to learn more about blindness, deaf-blindness, and low vision to help me better consult the WA Dept. of Services for the Blind. Their leadership team is consistent in their efforts to remove biases and spread truth and opportunities for the people, families, and communities they serve. Your voice rings as someone my work could serve.
Founder at Nextstop Media, LLC
7 个月People with disabilities often set higher goals due to having an immense sense of goal-oriented focus. This is a similar dynamic to an individual coming to the USA from a foreign land and not knowing English. They often learn our language better, whilst becoming bilingual or even multilingual in the process.