Living in the Grey

Two weeks in Sweden and there is already so much to share! I have found an excellent group of friends. They are waiters in Gamla Stan (old town) and always want to show me a new part of the city. We went to the Pride Parade last weekend and had a BLAST! So many people were there, it was truly a joyous and colorful celebration. I also started my job full time this week. I will be working closely with a man named Tony, who has been kind and patient towards me as I navigate a new space.

I got set up on the network, so I am able to print (Thank you, Phillip!). Phillip is the IT guy at the office; he is also from New Zealand so we have been chatting about my next destination. It’s nice to appreciate where I am and also get excited about where I am going!

To jumpstart the week, I went with Tony to interview a disabled migrant. These initial interviews allow us to assess individual needs, wants, and goals. The interviewee would answer in Arabic to Tony, and Tony would then translate into English so I could take notes. It was a long interview, but we made it work! Hearing from these people directly, I was exposed to the realities of accessible migration. Sweden is supposedly a haven for disabled body-minds, a place that promotes accessibility and acceptance. One week in, I now understand that while progress has been made, there is still SO MUCH to do. It was a necessary but blunt awakening. Obtaining accommodations and knowing your rights in the workplace is confusing and complicated, especially if you don’t speak a common language or understand the process.

My time with this organization (The Independent Living Institute) will focus on how to reach migrants, and make sure they know our organization exists and what we do. I also hope to build community and provide social support through programming. Every promotional material I create, I translate it into English, Swedish, Arabic, and Amharic. I am heavily relying on translation services online, but I will make sure to have Tony proofread before I post anything! If you know any of these languages and want to volunteer to proofread a poster for me, please let me know.

I have the opportunity to interview each of my coworkers in the office as they trickle in from vacation. I was chatting with Tony one day about the term “disability,” and how some people view that word with such negativity and limitation, while others find liberation in it.

When I was in Dr. Fox’s class at Davidson, she talked about “living in the grey”. Each day I work in disability advocacy, I realize there is never a clear, correct answer. Any solution is truly dependent on the individual and what they want; it helps to secure autonomy and personal choice. There is no right or wrong, black or white. We are always existing in between, in the grey. I think that is why I love this work so much; each day is challenging and completely different.

I will write a later post about the two primary models of disability: medical and social. That is the clearest example of “living in the grey” of disability advocacy. There is NEVER a right or wrong answer. I was initially surprised when Tony shared that he doesn’t like the word “disability,” as it is inherently negative with the prefix “dis”. I have pride in considering myself “disabled,” finding a strength that not many people can relate to. I recognize that the term “disability” has caused harm in the past. It causes harm now. However, I have seen individuals reclaim the word and transform it into a prideful identity, one that signifies an open and welcoming community (similar to the term “crip”). Language in this field is tricky, because everyone has their own opinion. My disability is a primary part of my identity and impacts everything I do and feel; so calling myself “disabled” feels right for me. But it doesn’t for everyone. Tony’s viewpoints are real and valid, and they should ALWAYS be respected. If you can, ask those who you interact with which they prefer. Here is how I would approach it:

“May I ask you a question about how to refer to you? . . . Would you prefer me to use person-first language or identity-first language?”

*Person first language: “A person with diabetes.” *Identity first language: “Diabetic.”

Much of what I write on here will exist “within the grey.” There is no straightforward answer. There are always multiple opinions and perspectives. I look forward to navigating more situations as they arise, learning to listen to each person and respecting their preferences*.

Have a question or comment? Email me and let’s chat! Elizabethrlipp@gmail.com.

*To be clear: I respect each person’s preferences so long as the terms they use for others are not actively causing harm. There are simply some terms and identities that are not appropriate for people to say. If you have a difficult time understanding the difference, read this: https://theconversation.com/its-just-a-joke-the-subtle-effects-of-offensive-language-62440. It’s a good place to start.