That framing can obscure the reality of some disabled people, especially when it comes to mental health.
What if you’re free to’t Hide It?
ForEmily Ladau, disability has been an ever-present (and visible) part of her life.
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
Her disability is a genetic condition, Larsen Syndrome, one that both her mother and uncle have.
I went to a mainstream public school, so I was with all non-disabled kids.
And, on the other hand, being told that people didn’t even see me as disabled.
And I was so confused, but I was like, I need to figure this out for myself.
Camp says, What you might’t lose is what brought them there in the first place.
Because that is the thing that broke through all of the stigma.
And that is the thing that animates them toward feeling better.
And if you ever lose sight of that, they’re not going to come back for treatment.
person with a disability).
I accept the bipolar diagnosis, but I feel like I’m not there yet.
Maybe in terms of accepting I can be on disability and have that support.
But yet, I have this rich life.
I have done so many things.
And I want to keep doing things.
So I’m not sure where I am on this journey right now.
And I think that reflects how we view mental health versus how we view physical health.
None of them understood the experience of disability and none of them really got it.
And that’s like one of the evilest things you could ever say.
We are at a really big advantage because we have their experiences.
But we have the global spotlight right now.
