Ableism, the unjust practices towards people with disabilities, whether those people are Autistic, have a mental illness, or a sensory disorder or a physical disability. All of it goes under ableism, however, what if I were to tell you that not all disabled people understand one another? Disability-wise? Don't believe me? Well, let me introduce to the idea of Lateral Ableism, along with both the consequences and horrible impact on people with disabilities effected by this.
First off, what is Lateral Ableism?
Lateral Ableism is when one Disabled person discriminates against another Disabled person, based on their disability. This can be unintentional and intentional. It's basically what regular ableism is, but instead of a neurotypical doing the bad deed, it's another disabled person.
What are some examples of this?
Some examples of this are:
- An Autistic not understanding another Autistic person's Autistic traits.
- A person with a mental disorder discriminating against a person with a physical disability and vice versa
- A person with ADHD assuming the "heartless jerk" stereotype about an Autism person from what they have possibly seen on the media.
- A disabled person without a certain mental illness discriminating against another disabled person with a certain mental illness.
What causes Lateral Ableism?
According to Lefties, who barely want to talk about this subject and have cognitive dissonance around it, tend to say it is caused by Internalized Ableism, meaning that maybe the person has some ableist views themselves. At least according to Bing. However, I think I have a more realistic way this is caused. Lack of education about other disabilities than their own or possibly bad experiences with a particular disorder. For instance, if someone with, let's say, a chronic illness like P.O.T.S. and never in their life have they ever looked up about, let's say, ADHD or had a bad experience with someone who had ADHD, and due to that, the person with P.O.T.S. may start saying hurtful things about people with ADHD or treats them based on a stereotype, etc., based on their lack of knowledge or painful experience.
Are there any actual stories like this? How many cases are there?
While I cannot tell you the number of cases of Lateral Ableism, there have been, I can say that I am sure that there lots of cases, situations, and stories about Lateral Ableism.
In fact, I have had an experience like this, two years ago, with an Executive Director, who had ADHD, and because, he had heard of autism spectrum disorder, or Autism for short, but never had the opportunity to understand the disorder itself nor understand the impact of my mental illness, General Anxiety Disorder, or Anxiety, for short, I was discriminated by an Executive director with ADHD unintentionally against my Autism and Anxiety with some manipulation tactics. If you want the full story, you can read that here.
Why is this topic not talked about as much?
Well, because of the fight between two stereotypes that I have talked about with a good friend of mine, who had brought it up and blew my mind.
1. The stereotype, while relatively new, is that of "The Innocent Angel". This stereotype is false, and it makes it look Disabled people look like they can do no wrong, despite knowing when some Disabled people have done wrong. I mean there are even stories out there about abuse or murder from disabled people onto another. There is even a list like:
- Elliot Rodger - A guy who is speculated to have Asperger's Syndrome, basically Autism, all in all, who had shot six people in Isla Visa, California.
- There was also a case, I think, about an Autistic guy beating up a person with Down Syndrome, because of how impatient the guy was.
- The School Shooter in Florida, I believe it was in area called Parkland.
In fact, I was emotionally abused by one of my cousins, who had Autism, as well. One of my siblings' exes with OCD and Anxiety has made fun of me as an Autistic woman for not liking the sound of sex, despite my sibling's claims of denial (a partial reason why I am no longer on the Left anymore). I have also seen an Autistic boy slap another cousin of mine with Cerebral Palsy, just because of his humor that he barely understood. I have also had many experiences with people with ADHD harming me like the executive director I mentioned before, an ex-friend of mine who has used my disability against me to dismiss any reasonable concerns on all my traumas and painful experiences I have had, even the one about the Lateral ableism I have faced. Even my own sibling with a laundry list of disorders has been passive-aggressive.
Plus, I have also done wrong by violating boundaries, kept secrets from people, losing my shit towards other people, etc. Now, I would never try to hurt someone on purpose unless I was upset, but that doesn't change the fact that there are some who do. So, as you can see, Disabled people are not all that innocent at all. So, when you excuse any of this in the name of "trying not to be ableist" or something when one Disabled person has done something wrong, you are enabling the behavior in the name of "diversity" when it needs to be corrected.
2. Trying to not to be ableist, because of a past stereotype about people with disabilities, especially when talking about neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD or Autism, or mental disorders/illnesses too, as evil, cruel, manipulative, or even down-right abusive. This is stereotype is also false, because Like in every group like minorities and marginalized groups, there are some that are good people and there are some are good and don't live up to this stereotype and there are some that do.
Conclusion
Out of all the evidence I have explained, along with the explanations and examples I have provided, yes, Lateral Ableism is real and should be taken extremely seriously. Which, listen, I understand why people don't want to talk about Lateral Ableism or about situations when Disabled people are wrong, because of these stereotypes or don't want to look ableist. However, when Lateral Ableism happens or when a person with a disability actually murders, abuses, bullies, or otherwise mean to another disabled person, it is wrong to not to call it out, because you are worried about this stereotype or don't want to look ableist either. No disabled person is excused or immune from consequences ever, especially when it comes to murder, abuse, manipulation, etc. I say this, because one, Lateral Ableism is wrong and hurtful, along with two, this type of situation can take a toll on a disabled person's mental health like any other pain and can cause many mental health difficulties for them, even trauma as well. Plus, Disabled people have it hard enough. So, when you excuse the wrongful behavior of a disabled person, because you don't want to stereotype, remember that if you excuse it, you enable the ableism and endorse another harmful stereotype. So, if you call out wrong behavior, when it's actually wrong, not when you think it is, you are helping another disabled person get justice, considering how little Lateral Ableism or other types of cases with hurtful behavior from some Disabled people too are believed.
And that's it, Lovelies! If you enjoyed this little post, follow, comment, and share for more! See ya in the next blog post!
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