Over at Whose Planet Is It Anyway, there's a great post about how the concept of independence is used with disability in (my words inserted) a "dis-abling" way. The author points out how everyone (including the able bodied) go through various changes in their lives which may be considered as demonstrating dependency or independence. She writes that so many cultural variables go into that assessment that have little to do with ability - that applying the concept to those with disabilities - has nothing to do with a disability.
She writes:
"Now let's suppose our economy went into a deep recession and I lost my job and had to move in with my parents. All of a sudden, I would be transformed into a dependent autistic adult and therefore an object of pity, even though none of my skills would have changed in the slightest. I might choose to spend my days improving society by tutoring illiterates or serving meals at a homeless shelter, but as long as I wasn't being paid for it, I would still be seen as a dependent person who did not contribute to society.
If I had the good fortune to buy a winning multi-million dollar lottery ticket while living with my parents, however, I would bounce right back into the category of socially valued independent people, despite the fact that I was not working. "
and ends by saying
"If you're thinking that all of this is totally random and weird and has nothing whatsoever to do with autism—that's the whole point."
Makes a lot of sense to me. And now for a label - independent living. You see what she's saying? Hmmmm
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