2/7/25 - Friday Video Share

"How to tell people about the icky parts of paralysis"

YouTube, Empowered Para - February 5, 2025

This seems like a very specific topic – how to explain paralysis-related bladder and bowel management to others. But it's also a pretty good summary of the arguments in favor of proactively explaining any of our disabilities to the people around us – as opposed to maintaining a very tight circle of defensive privacy around our disability-related needs and experiences. I like that she's specific about this disclosure being with family and close friends, who want to be part of our lives and who we want to be part of our lives. Strangers are a different story. And while this is definitely a pro-disclosure video, it's not at all advocating that disabled people feel obligated to share. It's simply pointing out all the ways it's so much easier for a disabled person if they can be open about things with the people close to them. I also love that Brittney offers a video by her speaking directly friends and family, that a paralyzed person can share to do the explaining for them. It's a creative way to use online video.

Have a nice weekend!

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