1. You have parking limitations.
You cannot park your unaltered vehicle in any parking space you want. You are limited to non-designated spaces in the front, side and rear of the building as well as in the parking garage, on the street and at your friend’s apartment complex. Good luck finding a space.
2. You can only use certain restrooms.
You feel pressure to use a small bathroom stall. When you don’t, and you choose the big comfy stall, shame overcomes you as you see underneath the door that your coworker Quinn is politely waiting in her wheelchair to use the sole accessible stall.
3. There is not a telethon for you.
You will only be able to enjoy the stage at the Grammys, the Emmys, the Oscars, Broadway — almost all stages, except the ones for telethons. Well, unless you are the host. Then you have 23 more hours to fill with entertainment for your viewers.
4. You are in constant pain from wearing dress shoes to work.
Quinn wears sneakers.
5. You are excluded from things that have nothing to do with you.
Disabled people discuss topics you do not understand like spoon energy. They are sending a clear message that you do not belong in a group that is more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty and score reserved stadium seating (with one friend max).
6. You are not inspirational when you do everyday things.
Whether you are waiting for the bus (because who can find parking) or not paying attention in a quarterly report meeting, no one finds your existence uplifting.
7. You cannot compete in the Special Olympics or Paralympics.
This one seems self-explanatory. You’re excluded because of who you are. It doesn’t get any more reverse ableismy. And you know that you’d crush it against those disabled athletes.
8. You cannot bring feral animals to work.
You learned the hard way that Forest, your poorly behaved cat you occasionally make eye contact with, is not welcome inside your place of business. It is impossible to keep track of which employees qualify for special rights and which are just putting the office at risk for rabies.