Here are some ableist beliefs I’ve internalised from a very young age. (Gotta admit, I still believe many of these on my bad days.)
- I’m less human than everyone else.
- Other people know what’s best for me better than I do.
- Everyone else’s opinions are more valid than mine.
- I must be unintelligent because I can’t speak “normally”.
- I don’t deserve to have romantic relationships.
- My sensory sensitivities aren’t real. I’m just being weak.
- My executive functioning challenges aren’t real. I’m just being lazy.