JustBeingCP

I have just watched comedian Rosie Jones’s documentary “Am I a Retard” on channel 4 and it doesn’t reflect me as an individual living with Cerebral Palsy.

Rosie opens the programme by saying that this documentary has a very shocking word in it, the R word but she believes that we need to comfort it.

During the early stages of the documentary Rosie makes reference to the fact that trolling of the disabled community isn’t talked about enough, but in actual fact it is talked about on a daily basis by the members of our community.

She also refers to her recent tour “Triple Threat” where she reminds audiences across the nation that she is Disabled, Gay and a Prick at the beginning of her show which came to Hereford earlier this year and I attended it.

I find it incredibly interesting that Rosie has received some help to filter her social media accounts for abuse and other negativity, wouldn’t it be awesome if all of the disabled community had the courage to both do this and understand how too.

She talks a lot during the documentary about receiving ableism abuse but do people living within our society actually know what that is?

Ableism abuse is defined as discrimination shown to those living with disabilities in our Society.

I can come across as quite negative in person and on social media at times but even I recognise that I am not retarded.

I got the sense within the first 15 or so minutes of the documentary that Rosie was trying to speak out on behalf on the entire community which wasn’t the case because she came across as this is the me show.

I have visited schools and delivered assemblies a lot in recent years on acceptance and it has been awesome to see that the young people are clearly listening to and understanding this message.

It makes me angry to see that Rosie actually believes that all members of the disabled community are referred to as “Retarded” by others within our society, this isn’t the case because I’ve never been called a Retard or Retarded online or in person.

Whilst I was watching the documentary it was bringing back thoughts of some of the abuse that I’ve faced over the years both online and in person for having a disability, this has meant that I’ve found the programme a very hard watch.

I have never been abused whilst visiting a public house with my friends or partners and that makes me feel very accepted by society.

As many of you, my readers and followers will I was born at 25 weeks, only weighing half a bag of sugar which has made me the resilient person that I am today and this is something that I love about myself.

I accept that those reading this maybe thinking that I’m vein for loving myself but i understand that no one can love you for you if you don’t love yourself first.

I would like to remind the entire disabled community that you are loved for being you and don’t let this documentary define you as a valued member of our awesome community across our beautiful nation.

if you would like to watch Rosie’s documentary: Am I a retard on channel 4 you can check it here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/rosie-jones-am-i-a-rtard/on-demand/73753-001.

I know that this is a very short blog which contains some deeply offensive language and terminology but I felt that it was important to speak up on this issue now that I have had the chance to watch the documentary for myself.

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I would like to end in my normal way by taking the opportunity to thank all of you, my readers and followers for taking the time out of your busy schedules each week to read my blogs.

Cam