toadistic:

You ever notice how when people compliment developmentally disabled people, they always talk about how we’re Sweet Souls With Big Hearts, like it’s the only thing we’re capable of? Of course it’s important to be kind, but we can do other things too, you know. We’re people.

They really like to skirt around talking about what our minds are capable of. It’s that old attitude I’ve seen so often. A disabled mind is fragile or broken or sick in their view, and it makes abled people uncomfortable. Don’t worry, the disability isn’t going to rub off on you.

Our accomplishments are varied. Some of us are artists, or musicians, or caretakers. Some of us have PhDs. Some of us will always struggle in school. Some of us don’t go to school. Some of us are real dickheads, and some of us are awesome. Some of us are pretty damn sexy. We’re as diverse as abled people.

When you talk about us, don’t paint us all in broad strokes as saccharine, innocent children. Talk about us with respect.