The Unlearning Ableism Podcast Defying Ableism
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Feb 3, 2025 Mhairi Harris, a Tesco Media employee and Rare Diseases Advocate with hypophosphatasia, shares her powerful insights on defying ableism. She discusses the emotional challenges of managing a rare disease and the significance of self-advocacy. Mhairi highlights the importance of open dialogue in professional spaces and her journey towards redefining identity amid societal norms. The conversation explores navigating anxiety, the necessity of community support, and ways to foster inclusive environments for disabled individuals.
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Understanding Ableism and Internalization
- Ableism is the unfair favoring of non-disabled people, often unnoticed until a person identifies as disabled.
- People with progressive or rare conditions face intensified and complex forms of ableism, including internalized ableism.
From Able-bodied to Disabled
- Mhairi's diagnosis of a rare progressive disease shifted her life abruptly from able-bodied to disabled.
- She faced challenges in understanding and managing her condition without guidance or a handbook.
Toxic Positivity in Disability
- Toxic positivity demands disabled people always feel grateful and positive, which invalidates their real struggles.
- Internalized ableism manifests as feeling guilt or anger about needing accommodations and facing barriers.