What is #DisabledLove?
Well, I noticed there seemed to be no official tag for the disabled like with talkthepoc or freethelgbt, so I decided to create one. Tag your stories #disabledlove if your story includes a main or secondary character that is i...
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To have this tag you MUST have a disabled character in the story, obviously. This means any of the following: -Being in a wheelchair, paraplegic -autism spectrum -deaf/blind -Constant memory loss -Etc (I don't know if mental illnesses include here, and there is the FREE MENTAL ILLNESS tag and the no stigma tag) The character you include can't just be an in passing, barely there one. They have to offer a role in the story and be present. This is about representation, so do it correctly and research the disability, read firsthand stories from the disabled and the disable's family if you can. Don't fall on stereotypes or stigmas. Try to make the character their own, don't make it all about their disability, because they are way more than that. And remember, they are not less or weaker because of the disability. Disabilities create obstacles for those with them but can also make them stronger, so try to emulate that in writing them.
Your disabled character CANNOT be: -A comedic plot point or source of mockery -Just someone with a temporary broken arm or leg -One who "magically" gets better and becomes "normal" at the end (sends wrong message) -someone who has some extra ability nobody else has that more than makes up for their disability and even makes them more abled than non-disabled. This just gets rid of the whole point of disabled inclusiveness. -a walking pity party whose life is just utterly sad because their disability makes them less than everyone else and serves no purpose other than to be pitied. THIS ISN'T COOL. -if I missed anything please feel free to comment.
Tips - feel free to make your character poc or lgbt as well - be aware of the living/day to day situations one who is disabled has to deal with (routine, needing aid, diet, medicine, support groups, etc) - think outside the disability. Don't center everything about them around it, create who they are at their base and build upon it with the disability.
I don't know if my wording is the best, but if you have any questions please comment. Suggestions and constrictive criticism are also welcomed. Please, thank you, and spread the #disabledlove!
