I am an advocate. I am also a writer a public speaker, a stay-at-home Mom, and a homeschooling Mom. I am an Autistic Mom to three disabled children (2 Autistic, and the third currently diagnosed ADD with learning disabilities, with evals showing many characteristics of autism as well), and I am married.
First, let me say that I define disability as a way in which our society constructs us, people with impairments, as a problem. Impairments are what we have, but disabled is what our environment (our society) makes us by being exclusive, inaccessible, and ableist.
I understand there is a societal definition of normal, however, it is nothing more than a societal construct used to separate people. I don’t agree with it and I do not use it when speaking of human beings. Normal would have to be a fluid definition in that sense and be different for every person. A normal life to one person may appear very “abnormal” to another person and vice versa.
As a disabled woman and parent of disabled children, my experience of normality is defined by a privileged majority to which I do not belong. My experience of normality is that it is used to separate people who are considered “less than” in some way.
— Renee
Theoretical Models
- Postmodern Theory — Renee’s identities overlap as a mother and caregiver.
- Minority Group Model — Renee views disability as a social construct used to “separate people.”
- British Social Model — “My experience of normality is defined by a privileged majority to which I do not belong.”
Disquake 