Chronically Jenni

Throughout Disability Pride month, I’ll be exploring the different disability groups represented within the Disability Pride Flag, starting with physical disabilities.

When many people think of disability, physical disability is often what comes to mind. But physical disabilities can look very different from person to person.

Some of us have been disabled for as long as we can remember. Others become disabled later in life. Some of us have experienced both. Some people use wheelchairs, mobility aids or adaptations. Some don’t. Some need a lot of support in daily life, while others are more independent. Neither experience is more or less valid.

One thing many physically disabled people have in common is that the biggest barriers we face often aren’t our bodies. They’re inaccessible environments, systems and attitudes.

Many disabled people are underestimated, but needing support doesn’t make someone less capable or less valuable.

For a long time, disabled people were taught to hide, minimise or apologise for our differences. Disability Pride is about rejecting that shame and recognising disability as a natural part of human diversity.

There’s no single way to look, live or experience disability.

Thank you to The Rolling Explorer , Lil Gabi D and Maxwell Mcknight Business for being part of this collaboration.

Follow along as we explore more of the disability communities represented within the Disability Pride Flag and let me know which group you'd like to learn about next.

Video description: 4 Disabled creators discuss physical Disabilities. The creators are: Jenni, a white disabled woman with auburn hair wearing a red dress with white polka dots and using a manual wheelchair; Jessica, a white woman with long dark brown curly hair wearing a bright red long-sleeved top. She has an upper limb difference and is sat in an electric wheelchair; Lil Gabi D, a Black woman with dwarfism and shoulder-length dark curly hair wearing a bright red T-shirt; and Maxwell is a young man with short dark curly hair wearing a red T-shirt, black padded gilet and cream shorts while seated in a powered wheelchair.

The Price of Disability! ♿

Think being disabled is free? Let’s play a game of Which costs more? I'll show you two items and let me know which you think has the bigger price tag!

Round 1: a shower stool or 2 Papa John's pizzas?
Round 2: an ergonomic walking stick or a pair of Converse trainers.
Round 3: a lightweight rollator walker or a weekend city break in Europe.
Round 4: a Rogue2 custom manual wheelchair or a Kia Picanto car.

Most people assume the everyday items cost more… but almost every time, it’s the disability product with the higher price tag.

And that’s just the equipment. On average, disabled households face £1,095 in extra costs every single month just to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. Even with benefits, there’s still an average shortfall of £630 per month.

So no, we don’t get everything for free. Being disabled comes with a serious price tag. Accessibility shouldn't be a luxury, but it's priced like one!

Which of these costs surprised you most? Let me know in the comments, and tell me what disability myths you’d like me to bust next.

Video description:
Jenni sits in her wheelchair hosting a game-show style video called “The Price of Disability”. Each round Jenni dressed in a sequinned ball gown as a glamorous assistant compares the cost of accessibility aids with everyday items, like a walking stick versus trainers or a wheelchair versus a car.