car parks and disability warriors

almost none of New Zealand's housing stock is accessible. our footpaths are too narrow. most roads are too dangerous to cross if you can't run. there are stairs to basically every venue. disabled people are given unliveably low benefits; but when it comes to parking, suddenly everyone is a disability warrior.

in April a story was published about a disabled woman whose car tyres were deflated, a nasty note left on her car because somebody didn't think she was entitled to use a disability park.

the vitriol directed at people with mobility passes who "don't look" disabled, the defense of potential lost (non-mobility) car parks in the name of "what about the disabled". where are these people when it comes to lobbying for the rights of disabled people? where do they volunteer?

I receive the Supported Living Payment. after years of Jobseeker Support, I finally have a doctor who accepts I won't be able to work full-time; one who was able to say the magic words to convince the Ministry for Social Development that I am, in fact, disabled.

I work, too, as much as I'm able. sometimes it's too much. I've dropped clients for my health because even working a few hours a week, I find myself completely shattered. not tired; but worn out.

in my estimation of my abilities, I'm still an able-bodied 20-year-old. I think, if I can just push myself for a couple days, then I can rest.

but then my words stop working, thinking feels forced, my hands give up, my emotions spiral out of control; and I can't. get. up. not to shower, or cook, or get into bed.

I have an e-bike. I had the privilege of being able to borrow for it, to redirect my bus fare to paying it back. it was a purely financial decision; I never considered it would become a mobility aid.

I love public transport, but taking the bus can involve a lot of walking. when I go to protests, I have to plan ahead: pack my walking stick, make sure I have enough rest days either side. sometimes I can't make it.

on my bike, my weight is supported. I don't have to carry my heavy backpack. the pedal assist gives me more push than I put in. I get places faster, with less effort, and have more time to rest.

when I post positive comments about cycleways, I get replies remarking that I must not be disabled. when I explain that I am, that my bike is my mobility aid, replies stop; or they tell me my disability mustn't be "that bad".

the first paragraph of this piece is a list of issues these disability warriors could campaign to fix, but they don't; because it's not about the needs of disabled people. accusations of ableism are meant to be something you can't push back on; a discussion-ender. "what about the disabled?" is the new "what about the children?"

so save your outrage about parking. we know you don't actually care about disabled people.