Apparently, people really do claim they'd rather be dead than disabled....

[conuly]

I can't imagine who, but I am assured that this actually happens. So, a word to the wise: If you EVER consider saying that, and aren't prepared to prove it on the spot, don't.

First off, it's fucking insulting. I'm not going to try explaining why, it just is. People do call me rude, or tactless, and they usually have a good reason. If I know that something's rude, there's no excuse for you.

More importantly, it's almost certainly not true. Don't argue, just accept that I'm probably right, because very few people really do prefer to die than live 1. in a wheelchair 2. deaf 3. blind 4. something else. If they did, there'd be far fewer disabled people in this world.

Comments

[stejcruetekie.livejournal.com]

I have to disagree with you, as someone who has a disability. I've attempted suicide in the past, and while I probably wouldn't do it now, I wouldn't turn down death either. In many ways I would welcome it.

What many people don't realize is that it's not the disability that "kills," it's the emotions. You might be able to imagine yourself deaf or blind, but you'll never be able to truely imagine the emotional and social pain it causes.

[conuly]

The suicide rate for autistics is pretty damn high. Am I severely disabled? Hardly. Do I qualify as disabled? Definitely. And I managed to luck out of crippling depression and suicidal tendancies. I think it was my upbringing.

At any rate, I was refering to people with no disability whatsoever, who really can't say definitely what they'd do if they found themselves disabled. You don't qualify because you can't say "if I were disabled, I'd blank". You ARE disabled.