So people often stop and stare at me when I’m out and about…
I guess it’s unusual to see someone without their forearm…. But then it got me thinking.
Surely after the amazing publicity of the London 2012 Paralympics people really SEE disabled people, or perhaps maybe even find them “inspirational”. There was an interesting article the other day about whether it’s correct to call disabled people inspirational… You can read it here: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-31376653
Why not I ask? I understand the opinion that inspirational might be interpreted as people generally having lower expectations of disabled people, but I’m not sure I believe that.
Being in the USA has really opened my eyes to how easy it is for disability to also be feared. I mean, one day we were standing in a queue for a ride, when we were removed by a member of staff. There was me thinking we’d done something wrong?? It turned out they didn’t want us to queue, and they rushed us to the front. But my question really is; why? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated skipping a 45 minute queue, but at the end of the day, I’m only an arm amputee, there’s clearly nothing wrong with my legs, or my ability to stand in a queue.
My friend Carol who joined me over here for my holiday is also disabled, although looking at her, you’d never know. Her arm was damaged during her birth, meaning she’s suffered nerve damage and can’t lift her arm above shoulder height. That being said, it’s never stopped her, and she has a fantastic attitude to life, in fact, she’s part of the Development squad for the Paralympic team. 
Quite frankly, I’m not scary, nor particularly inspirational, I’m just me. Trying to live my life; one day at a time. So I’m learning to not let my lack of an arm hold me back.
So what’s the point of all this? I guess its just a question really- is disability really such a big thing anymore, something to be feared or something inspiring…
SAILING HANNAH 
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