I don’t think anyone in the disability community will forget how COVID-19 managed to highlight the ableism still present within our society, particularly in terms of government response.
Recently, I remember mindlessly scrolling through my socials and realising that the same video clip was being shared by disabled friends and allies around the world. It was a clip of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr Rochelle Walensky. Dr Walensky had been interviewed on Good Morning America about the current COVID-19 mortality rates in America. She had stated that:
“[Of] the overwhelming number of deaths, over 75 per cent occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities, so really these are people who were unwell to begin with, and yes, [this is] really encouraging news in the context of Omicron.”
Soon after, the hashtag #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy was created by disability blogger Imani Barbarin, of Crutches and Spice.
Later on it was revealed that the video had been edited to make Dr Walensky’s comment sound like something regarding COVID-19 fatalities. She had actually been speaking of “a really important study” of 1.2 million vaccinated people, which found that only a minuscule fraction of them — 0.003 percent — died of COVID-19, and of the small number who did die, she noted, most of them had underlying health conditions. This came to light when the edited clips were later replaced with full versions.
As these statistics swirled around, I felt sick to my stomach. The word ‘eugenics’ started overtaking my socials. For a moment, I stopped to appreciate that we had not faced such blatant ableism here in Australia. Then the memories flooded back.
I remembered that my PTSD was triggered by the prospect of needing a nasal swab when I was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. I remembered the relief I felt when door-to-door saliva tests were used during zoned lockdowns early on in the pandemic. I‘d acknowledged the benefits for those who experienced sensory issues, intellectual disabilities or others, like myself, with medical trauma.
I’d felt dismay and disbelief when those tests were scrapped, and went back to stressing constantly, waiting for the moment when I’d need a nasal swab.
In March 2020, the government announced the distribution of ‘Coronavirus Supplement’ payments. I remembered our community rallying with overwhelming force - disabled people and carers making calls to local MPs and government offices, begging for their support.
Despite our efforts, we were denied similar payments to the Coronavirus Supplement and instead received three payments so measly in comparison that it felt like a cruel joke. Daily living costs and disability-related expenses had increased significantly due to quarantine, increased import fees, lockdowns and restrictions.
As the vaccine rollout began, disabled people were anxiously watching the predicted timelines for their turn. A press release by Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John later reflected on the rollout, stating that only “1 in 5 disabled people, and our support workers, in phase 1a and 1b had been vaccinated, more than four months after the rollout began.”
Steele-John also spoke to the pleas made by the Disability Royal Commission regarding the urgent request for an extension to the inquiry due to the challenges the pandemic had posed. A request that still went unanswered four months on.
It has become increasingly clear, as we enter our third pandemic year, that we are fighting for our lives. I for one will not be a fatality shrugged off because of “preexisting conditions” and I definitely won’t sit here and keep quiet as the “let it rip” mentality is taken up by those who are meant to lead, care and support ALL Australians. I’m exhausted, infuriated and facing many stressors on top of the pandemic.
I can’t watch our community - one that is built on grit, determination, and defying the expectations of others - be ground down into nothing or swatted off like an annoying fly.
We are worthy of so much more than we get. We are wondrous humans who veer off the ‘designated path’, take a wild, bumpy ride into the unknown and come out stronger because of it. We’re creative, quirky, thoughtful, loving, empathetic and fierce as heck. Most of all, we are worthy. I am worthy and damn it, #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy and it always will be.
