"Can a Symbol Help Stop the Harm – Disability Designator ID and Disability Deaths" –Part one:
(Approx 7 Min. read)

In May, New Jersey passed bill S761, joining 12 other states in creating a "disability identifier" state ID program. With much of the media focus on autism, the law allows some with other disability related communication issues, to have an "official indication of their diagnosis", "notated" on their state issued ID. As a part, NJ will create "guidelines" for law enforcement to better accommodate people with invisible disabilities, through understanding and proper communication; rather than aggression, force, and unfounded assumptions of perpetration. Unlike other states, the NJ legislation appears to exclude many with disabilities and lack forethought regarding the medical privacies of participants.

Even with the positives of various state actions, some feel these efforts may be futile, or accompanied by inherent negatives. Here, I'll be providing details on some of these programs, their potential negatives and, in part two, the reasons for creating them. The focus will be on the tragic stories of some victims that ultimately inspired Invisible Disability ID programs. People, like Elijah McClain and others, whose wrongful deaths resulting from interactions with police and first responders, brought national attention to this epidemic. The harm and loss of life at the hands of those there to serve and protect, is a horrifying thought to many with invisible disabilities, their loved ones; and should be, to anyone of decency.

Alaska, was the first to pass disability ID "designator" legislation with two laws that seem to respect the medical privacies of' disabled citizens. Their "Disability Designator", is a "discrete symbol" on licenses, indicating a "medically verified cognitive, mental, neurological, or physical disability; or a combination thereof". Alaska and other states, use the Invisible Disabilities Association's (IDA) "i" symbol as the "designator". The reasoning behind this optional indicator is the same; to enlighten police and first responders, when they may view a person's communication or behavior as "different" or "unusual". Again, the goal is to prevent escalation and, as in many cases, harm to the individual with disabilities.

Utah's disability designator, is a symbol on a sticker affixed to the ID. As in other states that use a symbol, Utah's program offers more medical confidentiality. It indicates only, that the person has a disability, without revealing diagnosis or specifics. In comparison with NJ's "notation of diagnosis", this seems much less intrusive. Utah's list of "examples of disabilities" covers any physical or mental health issue "that may interfere with the ability to communicate with a law enforcement officer". The list is much more inclusive of all disabilities than the narrow scope of the NJ law, even including diabetes, heart conditions and drug allergies.

The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) in Colorado, is a nonprofit organization that spearheads the effort to create the "National Disability ID" (NDID) symbol program. They advocate nationwide with state and federal government, and were part of the 2022 federal identifier bill, HB–7217. Unfortunately, that bill died in committee. The IDA logo, a blue lowercase "i" shaped like a vertical Nike-style "swoosh", is used as Colorado's DL disability identifier as well. They began issuing their NDID–National Invisible Disability ID cards, prior to the passing of any legislation. Below, is an IDA link where people with invisible disabilities can obtain their own NDID, or "International Invisible Disability ID" card with little effort or personal information.

Following Alaska, Colorado passed House Bill HB21–1014, making them the second state to pass "Symbolic" legislation which, also uses the wording "discrete" indicator. The law requires that the symbol on state identifications, must represent all types of disabilities under their program, in a state where history vividly illustrates the need for some type of solution. Colorado police and first responders have been responsible for causing the wrongful deaths of numerous people with invisible disabilities, attracting national attention more than once. The stories covered in part two, include several involving the same police force.

Potential Concerns:

In regard to the NJ action, the following phrase appears in the legislation:
"the chief administrator shall indicate the autism spectrum disorder or communication disorder diagnosis by notating such information on the person's driver's license ...under the column designated for restrictions".

There are many disabilities accompanied by communication limitations, that are not associated with autism, or (as NJ puts it) a "communication disorder". There are also aspects of disabilities, unrelated to communication, that can influence interactions with law-enforcement. Anyone of these may have been a factor in the known examples of police escalation causing harm or death to innocent people. NJ should consider this, designing their law to be more inclusive and respectful of the rights, privacies and protections of its disabled population.

Broadcasting diagnosis on one's license is another concern to some, and raises some questions. How much protected medical information will appear in the NJ "notation"? Will the DMV gather medical history and driver's diagnosis' for its citizens with disabilities, then add unnecessary or unfounded "restrictions" to their licenses? With varying degrees of any disability, a generalized "notation of diagnosis" could present a lot of obvious undue challenges or barriers for many drivers with disabilities.

Aside from police and first responders, there are others that may see the "notation of diagnosis" or identifier symbol on an individual's ID. Identification is shown to many people, including those at stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels. Some stores even scan IDs when "proofing", essentially compiling a database of the information contained in license barcodes. Some feel that individuals could be targeted for discrimination, harassment, exploitation or abuse by corporations, employers, ablests or other unsavory individuals.

For those who do not want the identifier on their license, these reforms may do little. If an individual without the voluntary "identifier" advises police they are disabled, will they be accommodated according to said guidelines? For those with the identifier, these changes are only as good as those who implement them. Will the guidelines and training be designed to actually accommodate or, be just another hollow disability regulation, created by oblivious abled politicians.

Will police abide by the guidelines? Body cams were implemented to prevent misconduct and create accountability. However, frequent claims by police that cameras "fell off", leave many feeling they were intentionally removed to obviate the recording of their transgressions. Will a symbol on a driver's license prevent such unnecessary harm to the disabled? Colorado's designator law passed two years ago but, another murder of someone with invisible disabilities occurred last fall. The individual, experiencing an obvious mental health crisis, called for police assistance after becoming stranded and, was ultimately shot. The many recurring incidences may cause anyone to ask; is the motto to "serve and protect", or to harm and kill?

In part two, I will focus on the people with invisible disabilities, autism, mental health challenges and hearing impairment, that were harmed or murdered by police and first responders. Unfortunately, we cannot ask many of those individuals if they feel a symbol on their license would've changed anything. With all the people that have been lost unnecessarily, this is no longer a #DisabilityCommunity issue – It's something everyone should be standing against.

OutOfExile­_IDR ™ – © 2023

Identification card from IDA: https://invisibledisabilities.org/national-disability-id/national-disability-id-card/

For more on "National Disability Identification" (NDID): http://www.ndid.help/

NJ S761 bill: https://legiscan.com/NJ/bill/S761/2022

Alaska disability designator – GOVERNMENT SITE: https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/akol/designator.htm

Utah's list of "examples of disabilities" –GOVERNMENT SITE: https://dld.utah.gov/invisible-condition/

Federal Bill – US HB-7217: https://legiscan.com/US/bill/HB7217/2021

"Invisible Man" image by Nangreenly: https://pixabay.com/users/nangreenly-10829698/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3843385

#disability #DisabilityRights #equality #change #InvisibleDisabilityRights #NationalDisabilityID #InvisibleDisabilitiesAssociation #accommodation #understanding #DisabilityCommunity #SpeakUp4Change #DisabilitySolidarity #ActuallyAutistic #TBI #HearingImpairment #aphasia #OCD #MentalHealth #decency #respect #dignity #humanity #SocialJustice #EndAbleism #stigmatude #TearDownTheWall

@actuallyautistics
@actuallyautistic @disabilityjustice @disability

"10 year Boy with Down Syndrome Assaulted by Bus Driver - Abuse of Students with Invisible Disabilities by Educators"

⚠️ CW - Stories on mistreatment and abuse of students with invisible disabilities in schools across the country. May be disturbing to some.

Yesterday, a bus driver for the Upper Darby school district in Pennsylvania, was charged with assault, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and endangering the welfare of a child.

Juliet Pratt was captured on surveillance cameras, duct taping the a student with Downs Syndrome around the ankles and chest to restrain him. The footage also show the child, who was already in a safety harness, caused no disturbance and remained in his seat. Regardless,  nothing warrants this kind of abusive behavior to people with invisible disabilities, especially by someone involved in child education. The March 8th incident was not the only. The bus driver admitted doing this appalling act to the child, at least one other time. Pratt cut the tape restraints with a seat belt cutter to free the boy upon arrival at the school.

There seems to be no mention of charges related to disability protectections in news reports. Has she done this to others? Would she have done this if the child did not have a disability? If Ms. Pratt singled the child out for this treatment because of any disability related reason, (ie - thinking she could get away with it because of the boy's DS), authorities may want to consider this an ableist hate crime.

Unfortunately, this problem is not uncommon. In some places, the techniques used are legal, bringing harm to many students with invisible disabilities. In Virginia, a 10 year old autistic boy, had the "bones in his hand and foot crushed" by an educator. The injuries were caused by a staff member who was isolating and confining the child, in what was called the "scream room".

Many reports of similar abuses have surfaced in Connecticut schools as well. In one case, a second grader with ADHD was held down, and locked in confinement after a manifestation of symptoms. Aside from the mental and emotional wounds caused, just as in many other cases, the child suffered physically injury. According to the story linked below, students have been restrained and isolated "thousands of times causing dozens of injuries" in Connecticut schools. This hardly sounds like accommodation and community intergration.

Then, there's Xavier Hernandez, who died as a result if being held down and restained by multiple staff members at "Boulevard Heights" school for "students with disabilities" in Texas.

These are the people entrusted with the job of shaping young minds? What lesson does this type of behavior teach other students about interacting with people with invisible disabilities; that they should be restrained, isolated and subjected to physical and mental damage? Considering these, and many other such acts, it seems many educators could use a lesson on understanding and accommodation of persons with invisible disabilities.

© OutOfExile_IDR - Invisible Disability Rights

PA Bus Driver:
https://www.phillyvoice.com/school-bus-driver-duct-tape-upper-darby-student-delaware-county/

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/bus-driver-accused-of-duct-taping-10-year-old-boy-on-bus/3575865/

Boy with autism in Virginia:
https://www.propublica.org/article/schools-restraints-seclusions

Girl with ADHD and other abuse in Connecticut:
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/connecticut-schools-restraint-seclusion-injuries-17474991.php

Xavier Hernandez death from a disability standpoint:
https://neuroclastic.com/xavier-hernandez-fort-worth-autism-restraint-death/#content

Hernandez - Death by medication and restraint:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crossroads-lab/article253421369.html

Image courtesy of: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/young-disabled-students-shackled-misbehaving-lawsuit-claims-n403421

#Education #ActuallyAutistic #ADHA #PTSD #CPSTD #ChildEducation #abuse #advocacy #disability #InvisibleDisability #TBI #InvisibleDisabilityRights #DownSyndrome #BrainInjury #EndAbleism #AbleistHateCrime #accommodation #CommunityIntergration #stigmatude #TearDownTheWall
#DOE #action #DepartmentOfEducation

@actuallyautistic @disabilityjustice @disability

Neurodivergent people have much to offer and should be included in policy and legislation discussions among other things. Different thinking brings new ideas for a broader, more enlightened view. Remember when the world was thought to be flat?

E.A.R.N. - The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion provides a "Toolkit" educating employers about Neurodivergent Thinkers and the unique value they bring. The guide linked below includes a lot of info encouraging the hiring and accommodation of neurodivergent individuals.

From the EARN page:
"In 2019, the Employer Roundtable published the “Autism @ Work Playbook” ...to help employers explore innovative approaches to finding, recruiting, hiring and supporting neurodivergent workers."

Thanks to EARN for their part in helping to #TearDownTheWall. Without #NeurodivergentThinking, there would be no light bulbs, spaceflight, or internet. There would be no Star Trek communicator to inspire the mobile phone. If one day, we can use our phones to say "beam me up", Neurodivergent Thinkers will likely "energize" that advancement as well.

Link to EARN's toolkit:
https://bit.ly/3QyN6aR

Image from this article discussing employers ND stigmatude:
https://www.theglobalrecruiter.com/neurodivergent-failure/

#neurodiversity #neurodivergence #OutsideTheBox #disability #inclusion #diversity #stigmatude
#accommodation #ActuallyAutistic #BrainInjury #TBI #dyslexia #EndAbleism #DisabilitySolidarity #NeurodivergentAndProud #InvisibleDisabilityRights

Student with Downs Syndrome Excluded:

A post by @JDS linked an article about an Alabama elementary school girls basketball team that won the championship in a boys league.  Despite defeating all the boys teams they faced enroute to the top, the league refused to award the trophy to the girls team.  As if this example of “exclusion by bigotry” was not enough to get the juices flowing, the article linked another #disability related story that I couldn’t pass up.  So much for easing back into it.

Morgyn Arnold, who lives with down syndrome, worked as the manager of her Junior high school’s cheerleading team. The cheer team at Shoreline Junior High School in Layton, Utah, chose to take two team photos; one with Morgyn and one without.  The photo excluding her is the one used on social media and printed in the yearbook.  Her name was not even mentioned as part of the team.  Despite all of her “hard work and dedication to the team”, she was excluded .

 According to a relative of Morgyn's,  this “was the second time in three years” that she had “been left out of the yearbook” and had been left off the class list of students by the school in the past.  The school issued a statement on social media that was later deleted.  Is that the “swooshing" of brooms I hear?

I personally have had a similar taste of this elixir of exclusion during my time broadcasting for one university hockey team.  Among the numerous discriminatory and ableist acts I experienced, I too was never mentioned or thanked in anyway by that team.  I felt as if I was a dirty secret or that the team that raved about my broadcasts, was ashamed of me. 

The big difference? Down Syndrome is not one of my disabilities and I was not 14 years old like Morgyn.  Even with my experience, I can’t imagine how she must have felt being subjected to these patronizing, demeaning and deplorable ableist acts of exclusion.

In the mind of the offenders, exclusion, discrimination and bigotry doesn’t have to make sense.  Oftentimes, they assume the people living with invisible, developmental or intellectual disabilities to be clueless or lacking reason and intelligence.  In actuality, this type of behavior and “stigmatude” suggests that perpetrators may be lacking in some of these areas.

For this blatant act of ableism and oblivion to inclusion, Community Intergration and equality I have no cheers, only jeers.
“HIP HIP! Shame on you.”

OutOfExile_IDR #InvisibleDisabilityRights

Link to the article and photos: https://www.ibtimes.sg/utah-school-under-fire-after-leaving-student-down-syndrome-out-cheerleading-team-photo-claims-it-58223?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=related

#EndAbleism #EndBigotry #InvisibleDisabilities #IntellectualDisabilities #DevelopmentalDisabilities #DownSyndrome #CommunityIntergration #inclusion #equality #stigmatude

@disabilityjustice @disability

"OutOfExile_IDR-isms"

I thought I'd start a list of words and phrases that come out of my mind and update accordingly. These are just a few.

#stigmatude - The definition can be found by by clicking the hashtag.

#Hypochristians has a pretty obvious meaning. 20 years ago when I first said this, I got a mental image of a dictionary definition with my siblings picture to illustrate.

#Jocularistians - Are those who create, enjoy, laugh at, or in any way support humor, comedy, laughs, sarcasm and snark. Some jocularitians challenge norms and society.

I'd like to think "Rightligeous" was a term also spawned in my head but, I'm sure others must have used it before.

"The downfall of a wiseman is the assumption of another's ignorance". This was obviously inpired by ignorance and other's who have said somewhat similar things.

"Simply put, ableism is to disability as racism is to race. There is no place in society for either"
You'd be surprised how many still don't know this word. That's where the inspiration for this came from.

With the right perspective, ignorance sure can be inspirational.

Do you have any words or phrases that were a product of your thoughts?

OutOfExile_IDR -isms

#thoughts #philosophy #Coined #words #phrases #Jocularistians #HashtagsNobodyWillEverSearch #OutOfExileisms

Image courtesy of:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/woty2015-top-looked-up-words-ism

"This Day In Hockey History - January 14th"

After an experience yesterday, encountering an ableist slur that was seemingly minimized, and with the #GoBolts in St. Louis, the last thing I want to think about is "Hockey Night in Canada". Today's "This Day in Hockey History" submission, will not be mine, as my spoons have been stolen. Consider it an IDR strike of sorts. :solidarity:
#EndAbleism #MakeAStand.

After refreshing myself on the events from January 14th in "The Big Rink", there is also no need for me to write one. To add anything more to last years installment for this date by @GregBoysen @TheHockeyWriters, would be like a penalty kill without defenceman; an exercise in futility. It may have been updated for 2023, but this is Greg's "Day in Hockey History" masterpiece.

Shout out to the Brodeur peeps, as Martin was the "First Star" for the visiting team in Montreal on this day.

Originally written and constructed by Greg Boysen:
https://thehockeywriters.com/jan-14-history-quenneville-esposito-brodeur/

GregBoysen:
https://thehockeywriters.com/author/gboysen/page/31/

Photo by Andy Marlin/NHL via Getty Images. (From Hockey Writers Piece)

Another bit of history: (cw)
https://kolektiva.social/@OutOfExile_IDR_Voice/109549519506159425

Don't forget the ALT text.

#HockeyLegends #MartinBrodeur
#GoHabsGo Smashville #NJDevils #Isles #NoQuitInNY #GoSensGo #FueledByPhilly #LetsGoPens #SharksTerritory #SeaKraken #NHLKings #LeafsForever #Canucks #VGK #ALLCAPS #NHLBruins #NHL #hockey #GoBolts over #STLBlues #Yotes over #NHLJets #underdog ❤️
#InvisibleDisabilityRights #equality #EndAbleism #StopAbleistSlurs #MakeAStatement #change #EndHateSpeech #stigmatude #DisabilityIsDiversity

@hockey @bostonbruinsgameday

"This Day In Hockey History - January 14th"

After an experience yesterday, encountering an ableist slur that was seemingly minimized, and with the #GoBolts in St. Louis, the last thing I want to think about is "Hockey Night in Canada". Today's "This Day in Hockey History" submission, will not be mine, as my spoons have been stolen. Consider it an IDR strike of sorts. :solidarity:
#EndAbleism #MakeAStand.

After refreshing myself on the events from January 14th in "The Big Rink", there is also no need for me to write one. To add anything more to last years installment for this date by @GregBoysen @TheHockeyWriters, would be like a penalty kill without defenceman; an exercise in futility. It may have been updated for 2023, but this is Greg's "Day in Hockey History" masterpiece.

Shout out to the Brodeur peeps, as Martin was the "First Star" for the visiting team in Montreal on this day.

Originally written and constructed by Greg Boysen:
https://thehockeywriters.com/jan-14-history-quenneville-esposito-brodeur/

GregBoysen:
https://thehockeywriters.com/author/gboysen/page/31/

Photo by Andy Marlin/NHL via Getty Images. (From Hockey Writers Piece)

Don't forget the ALT text.

#HockeyLegends #MartinBrodeur
#GoHabsGo Smashville #NJDevils #Isles #NoQuitInNY #GoSensGo #FueledByPhilly #LetsGoPens #SharksTerritory #SeaKraken #NHLKings #LeafsForever #Canucks #VGK #ALLCAPS #NHLBruins #NHL #hockey #GoBolts over #STLBlues #Yotes over #NHLJets #underdog ❤️
#InvisibleDisabilityRights #equality #EndAbleism #StopAbleistSlurs #MakeAStatement #change #EndHateSpeech #stigmatude #DisabilityIsDiversity

"Ableist Slurs"

What is a slur?  What is an ableist slur?  Is the consideration of a slur at the at the discretion of the speaker, the recipient or a third party?

Websters defines a slur as:
slur: [noun] an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo : aspersion. a shaming or degrading effect : stain, stigma.

Lizzo's song GRRRLZ, brought outrage by many for her use of the word "sp*z" in the opening stanza. After the outcry, Lizzo changed the lyric.

Weeks later, Beyonce’ also found public disapproval because of her song “Heated”,  which contained a disparaging term about a form of cerebral palsy know as spastic diplegia. She also apologized and made the nessesary correction.  It’s nice to see some people own, and make amends for their mistakes.

Last week I posted the following:
“Simply put:
Ableism is to disability, as Racism is to Race.
Slurs of any kind are unacceptable and have no place in society.”

In regard to racial slurs but, considering ableism:

J. Alan HartSouthworth, a diversity and inclusion consultant in Potomac, Maryland: (said)

“The definition of a “racial slur” is rather vague. I would think that if anyone says anything that negatively impacts or speaks negatively about another group, (WHETHER OR NOT a “racial slur”) that it should not be tolerated.

Since there is not official list of “racial slurs,” it has to be based on interpretation by the people who can hear the word(s) – whether that is the ‘target’ group or bystanders. …but if it is defined as a ‘statement that is divisive, contentious, disruptive or in some way does harm,” ….
It is a slur,  to finish this person’s statement myself.

I have had many of the standard issue ableist slurs hurled at my soul countless times including: “freak", “nutjob", “fruitcake", "weirdo", “dumbass" and the far too common, and seeminly accepted word, “crazy".

A few unorthodox things I’ve been stabbed in the heart with include: being told by a former friend that he does "not want to hear what comes out of" my "twisted little brain", after I gave my opinion. Medical imagery actually shows my neck, spine and brain are slightly askew.  How very thoughtful some friends are.

The most memorable (or hardest to forget) slur was, “F#¿&ing psychotic psycho b!#¿h".  This one seemed to be a favorite of the neighbor that I did nothing to, except live next door, request to be left alone and apparently, continue to breathe. 

Just last week, a thread was discussing how pleasant and interesting everyone on Mastodon is.  One participant on c.im, a former teacher (according to the profile), commented how interesting people on Mastodon are and added:

“Interesting in a good way. Not the Ummm...He's Crazy, But I'm Going to Pretend I'm Polite”.

 This person had another post complaining about a limited amount of “special education" teachers.  “Special" is also considered an ableist term by many people living with invisible disabilities as well.  Shaping young minds with archaic attitudes of ignorance, how wonderful.  Needless to say, I did not find that conversation very interesting or pleasant.

So what do you think?  Are words like “crazy" and “freak" a slur when used in a derogatory way and directed at persons with invisible disabilities? I asked 25 people with invisible disabilities today and all ageed, these are slurs.  Should the government draft legislation regarding ableist slurs to include the disabled community,  which makes up 26% of the US population?  Who should decide what an ableist slur is… the masses, the government or the victims of this kind of hate speech?

What do I think? Try one on me or any disabled person within earshot and find out. Think before you use words that can wound.  A consideration we can all learn from.

#stigmatude #disabilities #slurs #InvisibleDisability #ableism #EndAbleism #BrainInjury #ActuallyAutistic #MentalHealth #CerebralPalsy #TBI #ABI #InvisibleDisabilityRights #change #DisabilitySolidarity #equality

Image courtesy of:

https://www.ameridisability.com/beyonces-new-album-drops-ableist-slur-hitting-wrong-note-with-disability-advocates/

My brain is not always helpful but, this flub combining two words was.

Stigmatude:

The attitude personified by lack of understanding and acceptance of people living with invisible disabilities and mental illness, that ableists and many others perpetuate.

Do you think Websters should add it to the dictionary?

Migrated reboot. #stigmatude #ableism #equality #inclusion #InvisibleDisabilities #MentalHealth #InvisibleDisabilityRights #TBI #Love4All #TearDownTheWall

Division - Ableism in the #DisabilityCommunity (Reboot)

3of?
Have you every had someone in your life not take you serseriously, because of your disability? Have they minimized, discredited or alleged thay you are confused, because they're the one not getting it?

Unfortunately , people with #InvisibleDisabilities can even experience #ableism from other persons with #disability. My symptoms have been greatly exacerbated by a recent situation like this. This post will not be very eloquent or profound today... simply put, I am not well. I usually bounce back very quickly but, I am also receiving some disturbing feed back about damaging discussions.

Misinformation is often a weapon of ableists, to silence complaints from people with IDs. How many with invisible disabilities have heard the following: "Don't listen to them, there are (insert ableist slur here), they don't know what they're doing".

Because one does not understand subtle humor, or deeper thought, does not make the speaker incompetent or confused. Sometimes it means the listener may not understand. Sometimes ableist #stigmatude regarding people with invisible disabilities creates the assumption as well; even within the disability community. It is hurtful and frustrating to the recipient. It can also be very damaging, to health and recovery.

@disability.social is a community for all but, for some ...?? Expressing ones opinion shouldn't result in censorship or stifling one's voice by those who have the power to do so. It should also not result in gossip, #exclusion and bashing. Accommodation is often demanded but, not afforded. Different #disabilities have different need for #accommodation.

One of my first toots was response to the handling of a situation. It basically said:
"Transparency and owning up are two of my favorite things. It also indicates exemplary leadership." Now, I'm not so sure.

#DisabilitySolidarity #TBI #ActuallyAutistic #BrainInjury #equality #darvo #lies
#IDR is #InvisibleDisabilityRights #LoveConquersAll #truth #BullDogAdvocate #SpeakOut #DisabilitySolidarity

Are You a "Mental Defective?"

Do I belong in a cage because I have invisible disabilities (IDs)? Should I be abused under the guise of “caretaking" that I do not require?  Should I be jailed, even if I did not commit a crime, soley because I live with #TBI, am #ActuallyAutistic and have other #InvisibleDisabilities. Do I belong locked away from sunshine and society? Am I mentally incompetent or a “Mental Defective”? That’s exactly what so many others with invisible disabilities were categorized as, and subjected to, in a part of Colorado's dark history.

“The Ridge State Home and Training Center for Mental Defectives ”, and some state laws that still existed in just the last decade, are only two examples of some of the barbaric practices.  Some of the articles linked below even demonstrate #stigmatude with use of words like “inmates" and the mental “R" slur.  People with downs syndrome are not the “R" word and those with invisible disabilities and mental health chalenges, are not defectictives.

Did you know, if you were having a mental health crisis, that you could be jailed in Colorado if there was no room in medical facilities?  That law was recently changed and funding from cannabis tax revenues was redirected for that purpose but, in some places, it still occurs.  Colorado law gives officials 28 days to get people with such experience proper treatment and placement but, in some case people with invisible disabilities spent six months incarcerated without even an evaluation.  Is it any wonder that many do not want to ask for help?

So, what about the home for “Mental Defectives ”? My blood boils and I cringe everytime I hear that name… “Mental Defective", as if we are a broken toy or a factory second.  We are people with health issues just like someone with cancer or diabetes.  What if your loved one was locked away because they had #covid?

In 1909, Colorado chose 310 acres just west of Arvada to establish the “Ridge State Home and Training Center for Mental Defectives”.  The wording in the “Golden History” link below refers to residents as “inmates" and cites the first such “inmate” arrived in July, 1912. By 1936, the Ridge Home’s capacity of 300 was already at 260 people with IDs, many of which, were “exiled” and abandoned by their own families.

I will surely expend my generous character limit if I give all of my thoughts, so I will give just a few of the low-lights.

The 1937 newspaper headline in the image below claimed that “Everyone”s Happy at Ridge Home for Mental Defectives".  This propaganda is easily refuted by many accounts of actual occurrences at Colorado’s “prison” for people with ID and Mental Illnesses.

Aside from residents being forced to work on the “Ridge farm”, other abuses and atrocities were common.  One employee was charged with crimes of abuse against multiple residents after he bragged about his deplorable actions to friends.  The only means of release was by transfer to relative’s homes, to the so called “asylum” in Pueblo or death.

In the 1940, the facility practiced “forced sterilization” of people with invisible disabilities, which some feel was a  attempt at a form of genocide.

In the 50s, stories of underfunding, overcrowding and abuse began to surface.  One administrator was quoted in a news article saying that many held captive in “Ridge” were “much too competent” to be in the home but, laws and family abandonment kept them there.

In the 1970s, fire safety issues, cracked walls and foundation caused part of the facility to be closed by order of the state. There were no proper fire exit routes, and even not a single fire escape.  In the 80s reports of neglect allegedly due to funding and staffing problems came to light.

As recently as the 1980s, “time outs” for those with behavioral issues resulted in some being put in cages.  One report cites a child was caged for nine month with only a bucket and a mattress. Others were said to be packed in wet sheets and ice for acting up.  Does that sound like treatment that will improve mental health, or torture that would make matters worse?

From Denver ABC 7:
“They were so mistreated. It just wasn’t right,” said Rhonda Sherill, who said she worked at Ridge in the 1980s. “Some of them would be put in what they call time out, which was basically a cage they would put him in until they weren’t combative.”

Eventually, this “section of hell" disguised as a medical facility was closed and sat abandon for years. Now, mostly demolished, “Ridge Home and Training Center for Mental Defectives” is the site of apartments and shops.

I personally would rather be homeless and not shop than to step one foot on those grounds. One can only imagine the horrors that these individuals must have lived but, one thing is apparent: Everyone was not happy at "Ridge Home for Mental Defectives."

Sadly, despite these changes, there is still much work to be done in bringing people living with invisible disabilities and mental illness “out of exile".

This story was difficult and welled up a lot of emotion. If I missed some punctuation or spelled something wrong, please cut me a break. I will edit it sometime.

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/memories-remain-of-abandoned-state-hospital-that-spawned-eerie-stories

https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/spooky-history-arvadas-ridge-home

https://disabilitylawco.org/mental-illness-protection-and-advocacy-program

https://www.mentalhealthcolorado.org/colorado-jails-wont-used-hold-mentally-ill/

https://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=State_Home_and_Training_School_for_Mental_Defectives

Golden History - 303-278-3557:  
https://www.goldenhistory.org/places/ridge-home/

Pictures:
http://www.coloradoaerialphoto.com/pow.cgi?POW_ID=63

#stigmatude #MentalHealth #MedicalIndustry #abuse #advocacy #disabilities #InvisibleDisability #colorado #InvisibleDisabilityRights #evil #DarkHistory #DownSyndrome #MentalDefectives

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Have you every had someone in your life not take you serseriously, because of your disability? Have they minimized, discredited or alleged thay you are confused, because they're the one not getting it?

Unfortunately , people with #InvisibleDisabilities can even experience #ableism from other persons with #disability. My symptoms have been greatly exacerbated by a recent situation like this. This post will not be very eloquent or profound today... simply put, I am not well. I usually bounce back very quickly but, I am also receiving some disturbing feed back about damaging discussions.

Misinformation is often a weapon of ableists, to silence complaints from people with IDs. How many with invisible disabilities have heard the following: "Don't listen to them, there are (insert ableist slur here), they don't know what they're doing".

Because one does not understand subtle humor, or deeper thought, does not make the speaker incompetent or confused. Sometimes it means the listener may not understand. Sometimes ableist #stigmatude regarding people with invisible disabilities creates the assumption as well; even within the disability community. It is hurtful and frustrating to the recipient. It can also be very damaging, to health and recovery.

@disability.social is a community for all but, for some ...?? Expressing ones opinion shouldn't result in censorship or stifling one's voice by those who have the power to do so. It should also not result in gossip, #exclusion and bashing. Accommodation is often demanded but, not afforded. Different #disabilities have different need for #accommodation.

One of my first toots was response to the handling of a situation. It basically said:
"Transparency and owning up are two of my favorite things. It also indicates exemplary leadership." Now, I'm not so sure.

#DisabilitySolidarity #TBI #ActuallyAutistic #BrainInjury #equality #IDR
@disability
@disabilityjustice

@Spatz @OutOfExile_IDR@disabled.social

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Thanks for this. I don't work in mental health, to be clear. Just a 20yr insiders understanding and self observation, combined with a love of research.

I think the best thing for many with invisible disabilities that have felt, or been outcast - forgotten; is listening and spending time. That's what I can, and do, learning so much from others in the process. Kindness heals the giver and the recipient. So many only want know that anyone gives an expletive. Anyone at all.

Talked over? Misinterpreted? Patronized? What stories I could tell.
I've often said, invisible disability or TBI etc.. Do not equal incompetence, inability or being less intellectually endowed. They do sometimes require accommodation, patience and understanding.

Regarding #stigmatude:
Ever heard someone you've known for a year say to another, "It took me about six months to realize, he does know what he's talkin about". I've overheard this more than once. Even punctuation and spelling problems, combined with ID. Can cause these attitudes. Your words are spot on.

The image selected from all that I viewed, just seemed to best represent the sentiment those that are outcasts feel. The stories I've heard from people living with homelessness and IDs - MI, while visiting with them in the parks where they lived? Regardless if it stems from Family, friends or employment interactions, the feeling is dark; thus this image.

Providers?.... continued ...