From Disabled to Differently-Abled

By Maria Mooney

In a society that values youth, independence, materialism, and duality, the term “disability” has been marred with negativity, much to my dismay, which stigmatizes the victim. Today, I am honored to present to you an alternative, empowering way of viewing illness and disability. My personal experiences with a progressive neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD/CRPS), have provided me with first hand experience and perspective on disability. At 25 years old, I am pursuing a Master’s degree, trying to build a life and future for myself, and desperately searching for a cure, all while navigating a society that is not structured for the disabled individual. In the first few years of my illness, I received the message from society loud and clear that I was officially “less than” because of my newfound limitations. Would I ever hold a job? Could I pursue a Master’s Degree? Would I ever be “whole” again? Overtime, I learned the answer to these questions was a “yes.” I chose to value my unique experiences and talents despite the negativity I received from others. Allow me to explain what brought us to this point in the first place.

If you are currently or ever have been a patient of traditional medicine, you have likely been subject (or victim) to the Biomedical Model of medicine, the predominant model used by physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases. According to this model, health narrowly equals the absence of disease, pain, or defect, and its focus on the physical processes of the body neglects social/environmental factors and individual subjectivity. The patient is not considered a partner in diagnosis and treatment, and the doctor-patient relationship is left uncultivated or even non-existent. Prevention of disease is omitted, and long-term treatment of chronic conditions, especially chronic pain, “scares the pants off” of the treating professionals, for lack of a better term. In other words, the Biomedical Model is severely lacking, and it sets the stage for the stigmatization of the disabled individual, viewing disability as an individual defect. The disabled individual is then viewed as “less than” by society, setting the stage for negative view of self, shame, embarrassment, isolation, and a plethora of harmful emotions—not once considering that it may be the environment that is lacking, not the individual (Orto, 2007).

A second, more comprehensive model, the Biopsychosocial Model of illness and disability, considers biology, mental/emotional health, and social environment when treating the individual. The patient is considered an informed partner in his/her treatment, coupled with professional help from a multi-disciplinary team, and all parts of the patient’s life are discussed and manipulated for optimal health and wellness. Rather than viewing the disabled individual as “less than,” he/she is considered a whole person facing an environment that lacks proper resources. Blame is shifted away from the victim and onto the environment, replacing the term “disabled” with “differently-abled” (Orto, 2007).

Empowerment is a running theme in models like the Biopsychosocial and Chronic Care Models of illness and disability, which include patient-centered, individualized, comprehensive, and compassionate care from a competent, multi-disciplinary team (Orto, 2007). Just because a person is “differently-abled” does not mean he/she is worth less than an individual who does not have a disability. In fact, while disability often comes with pain and hardship, it simultaneously offers valuable life lessons, empathy, compassion, and a unique world view that cannot be bottled and sold. If it could, I would be a millionaire, and the world would be a better place!

Instead of viewing illness and disability as negatives, no matter how difficult, let us take the focus off of the internal and turn it to the external. If our environments are lacking, then move forward and proactively create the change you wish to see. Call or write your Senator, contact your local television station, take some courses in social welfare, start a petition, etc… Do not believe the story society has written for us about disability being an individual deficit, and re-write your own story about individual empowerment, contentment, and fulfillment despite your challenges.

Maria is a 25 year old, vegan graduate student living with a progressive neurological disease, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). Follow along as Maria reflects on lessons learned through her health challenges, shares her experiences with alternative and traditional treatments, and enjoys life to its fullest at her blog!

Orto, A.E.D., Ph.D., C.R.C., & Power, P.W., Sc.D., C.R.C. ( 2007). The Psychological and Social Impacts of Illness and Disability. New York, NY: Springer Publishing
Company.