Non-disabled people often think that disability prevents you from being able to do anything for yourself, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth, and your disability only prevents you from doing some things. As a physically disabled person, I struggle with a lot of tasks and sometimes have to ask for help on things a non-disabled person could do themselves, but there are some things I can do just as effectively as a non-disabled person. I sometimes have to do things in a slightly different way than a non-disabled person to accommodate my disability, but that does not mean I am always incapable, and I can probably do things you think I can’t do. My disability does have limitations, and there are some things I can technically do, but it’s more difficult because of my physical disability, and it’s not the same experience for me. What activities are not the same for me as a disabled person? In this post, I am sharing a few activities that are possible with my disability, but are not the same experience for me.
Horseback riding- Horseback riding is not something a lot of people do very often, and thank goodness it isn’t an activity that my family likes doing, because it brings me nothing but pain. When I was a child, I went horseback riding a couple of times at camps and for an occasional birthday party, but I hated every minute of it. Horseback riding is not a fun activity for me because I was born with both of my hips fully dislocated, and sitting on a horse with my legs spread out is a very painful experience for me. It forces me to spread my legs farther than they are designed to go, which causes me a lot of pain, and the only reason I did it as a child was that everyone else was doing it, and I wanted to feel included. Horseback riding is an activity that I technically can do, but it will never be the same experience for me because of my physical disability. If I wanted to ride a horse, I could side-saddle without pain, but I don’t like doing that either because I always feel like I am going to fall off, and it’s one of those activities I will never volunteer to do.
Beach trips- Some disabled people are not able to go to the beach due to it’s lack of accessibility, but some people do like it. I am not one of those disabled people who don’t enjoy beach trips, and it’s something I do because I have to, which is surprising to some people because I live in Florida and beaches are everywhere. Beaches are often not accessible, and it’s nothing but constant barriers that ruin any enjoyment I would have had. Walking on the beach is not the same relaxing experience for me because I have to walk down a flight of steps to get to the beach, and by the time I get down there, I am tired. I didn’t like the beach before having hip replacement surgery, but I did enjoy it a little more when I had more mobility and things were easier. Now, the only thing beach trips do is make me frustrated by the constant barriers and remind me of everything I have lost. I will go to the beach with my family to participate in family time, but I will not be enjoying myself as much as everyone else and will likely be depressed and stressed. People often don’t understand why I don’t like the beach because most people like it and don’t understand how much harder my life is.
Exercise- Disabled people sometimes have to exercise in a slightly different way to accommodate our disabilities because fitness is just as important for disabled people as it is for non-disabled people. Fitness is not accessible, and it is harder for disabled people because we can’t do whatever exercise we want, like non-disabled people can. I exercise regularly because having good physical health makes my life easier as a disabled person, but exercising is not the same experience for me. I face constant barriers during exercise because fitness is not accessible, and I always have to be thinking about my disability when I do any routine. Sometimes I have to do exercises that aren’t my favorite, but I have no choice because it’s the only thing my disability doesn’t prevent me from doing. Exercise is important for disabled people, but it’s not the same experience, and often it requires more effort than it would for a non-disabled person.
Traveling- Some of my family live in the same state as me, but most of my family I have to travel to go see. I love visiting family, but traveling is a little more stressful for me because I have to think about things a non-disabled person wouldn’t have to. Traveling is stressful for me because hotels are often not accessible, and I am facing more accessibility barriers than I would at home. I wish I could get more enjoyment from traveling, but because of my disability, I don’t look forward to traveling because I often face more accessibility barriers and am frustrated the whole time. I am grateful that I have the ability to travel, but I don’t enjoy doing it and often stress more than I enjoy myself.
Plane rides- When I travel, I often go to places that I can drive to because my shunt does not like the pressure change on planes, and it often triggers seizures. Plane rides are not the same experience for me because it often causes a lot of pain, and I am spending days recovering from a seizure after I get off the flight, which is never fun. My seizures are not fatal, and I could fly if I had to, but it’s not something I will ever look forward to doing.
Swims in the ocean- When I swim, I use different muscles because I can’t use my legs, and instead of kicking my legs, it’s all in my arms. I learned how to swim as a child, which is important when you live in Florida because there is water everywhere. I can enjoy swimming in a pool but it is more difficult in the ocean because I don’t have the stability a non-disabled person does and the waves often knock me down. Sometimes you may see me swimming in a pool, but I stopped swimming in the ocean because even though I technically can, it’s too difficult and not fun. I can’t get on a bodyboard and surf the waves like a non-disabled person, and often will fall off of it because my disability takes over. I don’t feel safe swimming in the ocean because the waves knock me down too easily, and I don’t feel safer when someone helps me.
Beach bonfires- I went to a beach bonfire for my sister’s bachelorette party in December, and it was fun to hang out with everyone, but it was not easy. Beach bonfires are fun, but when you have a physical disability, it can be difficult because it’s dark and you can’t see what you are doing, even when you have a ton of flashlights like we did. I need more space to walk because of my assistive devices and need to see where I am walking to prevent falls, which can be difficult when it’s pitch dark out. Beach bonfires are something I don’t think I will ever do again unless I have my wheelchair or have to, because the struggle it takes to make it happen is not worth it.
My physical disability prevents me from being able to do a lot of tasks, but it doesn’t prevent me from doing everything. My disability sometimes doesn’t prevent me from doing something, but it does make it more difficult and is not the same experience. Sometimes I have to sit out of an activity because my disability makes it impossible, but a lot of the time I can technically do it and choose not to. I often will do activities that aren’t bringing me as much joy to feel included, even though it’s harder for me. Disability does prevent you from doing a lot of tasks, but we find new things that we can enjoy that our disabilities don’t ruin. I try not to think about all the things my disability prevents me from doing because you will be happier when you focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. You can’t change your disability, but you can change how you react to it. If you are disabled, what activities are not the same for you? If you liked this post, please leave a comment below and share it with your friends.
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