My friend and fellow disability rights activist Scott Rains has written a sobering blog post about a cruel incident he experienced while simply trying to go about his business as a human being. He was subjected to an abusive tirade from a stranger who, among other things, tossed the “F Bomb” at him simply because he is a person with a disability.
I was in transit yesterday, flying from my home in Syracuse to Oregon where I’m speaking today at Pacific University. I’ll be reading poetry and prose about disability, and talking to a disability studies class. I intend to share Scott’s blog post with the students.
I remember vividly having a similar experience when, only a few weeks after getting my first guide dog, still learning how to be a blind traveler, still building confidence, still imagining I had a place in the world–I remember going to a branch office of my savings bank, a walk-in kiosk like affair, and while standing in line to cash my meager check, a woman shouted at me about “you fucking handicapped people, you fucking handicapped people.”
The other customers froze. I told her she could count on two things in life: her own craziness, and the contempt of others. Then I walked out. A bank employee ran after me, clearly distressed, and said, “Come with me,” and we went down the street to the main branch and I reported the incident. It was apparently not the first time this woman had gone nuts in the bank. She was subsequently prohibited from entering the premises. I don’t know how that worked out.
What I remember though, or try to remember, is that crazy people who scream at those of us with disabilities tend to be universal bigots rather than single issue bigots. And while that’s not of much use, insofar as bigotry is unspeakable and exhausting, and sad, it’s also worth remembering for, if you’re a person with a disability, all too often you can feel like the loneliest person in the world, no matter how much you travel, or how extroverted you may be. I think Scott and I and many others with disabilities know that story really well.
We love you Brother Rains!
Planet of the Blind 