Hi everyone!

Most recently I came across on someone’s twitter feed something that was shared. Intrigued, I decided to click on the link and it was the person (Simon) who is a part of the Ability Access group which encourages people to talk more about disability and in particular a positive manner and a member of staff from Facebook’s Ad’s Managing team in a phone call discussion.

He phoned Facebook as one of his posts had been removed. It featured a photo of a beautiful woman who had her leg amputated as a result from the Alton Towers incident a few years ago, and she is nude. However, you don’t see anything of her body from how she is posed. The lady from Facebook actually said “you will have to understand that some people see disability as disturbing, you will have to think about it like that”. The lady then went on to say “I have never come across a page that promotes disability”. As you can imagine, Simon was shocked. I was shocked at hearing the lady say what she said. I find it heartbreaking that someone could say that about a person. All of my life, I have struggled with my self image and only recently have started to slowly accept how I look, but perhaps if someone who is younger or more vulnerable in a sense it could be harmful. What is so disturbing about seeing a disabled body? Yes, I have a disabled body, but I am still a human being and I worthy. Personally, my body is unique. I have a deformed spine, I’m small and I’m extremely thin but I am more than what you see. I am me. I can still look cute. Yes, I can even look hot and I can feel amazing especially if I’m wearing an outfit that I love!! Maybe I’m being a little sensitive since only recently I’ve been called things that aren’t nice, which are based on how my body is. It did knock my confidence and self worth but thankfully I have good, kind and caring people around me. Also I do realise that their comments/body shaming is a reflection of how they feel within themselves which is obviously of a low opinion. There is nothing ugly about my body or anybody else’s body, for that matter.

I’m glad that Facebook have since apologised but I think the hurt has still been caused to people. I don’t think anyone has the right to call another person especially someone who has a disability as disturbing, it is cruel and very unnecessary.

I for one am glad that there are groups and individuals who spend their time in promoting positivity and self love within the disabled community, and their peers/family etc. We see more than enough of photos with famous people (no need to name as I’m sure many of us can think of who as an example), so why can’t we see more of disabled people in the same way. What’s the difference between a famous person posing in a particular pose and a disabled person posing in the same way? All I see is a human body. We shouldn’t be removed or hidden because of our bodies that may look different. At the end of the day, we are people. We are most certainly not disturbing.

Thank you for reading and I will post again soon.

Katie ☺️❤️