this metaphor is ableist because nobody is pushing wheelchair use on abled people, unlike ChatGPT. and no, abled people won’t become “dependent” on wheelchairs because they’ll realize how miserable life is when you’re barred from most public establishments.
most of the people perceived as “faking it” are just disabled people who can’t afford a diagnosis or won’t be diagnosed by medics due to racism, fatphobia, etc.
But if you start consistently using a wheelchair when there is no physical reason for you to use one, will your muscles not atrophy, thereby making you need it?
I don’t think this metaphor is inherently ableist. That wheelchairs aren’t being pushed onto anyone isn’t really relevant, nor is the fact that very few people fake needing a wheelchair. I don’t think the person you replied to was shaming anyone for “faking it.” Just saying that if you don’t need a wheelchair, it’s probably a bad idea to use one.
this metaphor is ableist because nobody is pushing wheelchair use on abled people, unlike ChatGPT. and no, abled people won’t become “dependent” on wheelchairs because they’ll realize how miserable life is when you’re barred from most public establishments.
most of the people perceived as “faking it” are just disabled people who can’t afford a diagnosis or won’t be diagnosed by medics due to racism, fatphobia, etc.
But if you start consistently using a wheelchair when there is no physical reason for you to use one, will your muscles not atrophy, thereby making you need it?
I don’t think this metaphor is inherently ableist. That wheelchairs aren’t being pushed onto anyone isn’t really relevant, nor is the fact that very few people fake needing a wheelchair. I don’t think the person you replied to was shaming anyone for “faking it.” Just saying that if you don’t need a wheelchair, it’s probably a bad idea to use one.