“She might have down syndrome, but she is still beautiful. Can she get a share for her cute smile?

Kids with special needs are not weird or odd. They only want what everyone else wants…to be accepted. Can I make a request? Is anyone willing to post this photo in honor of all children who were made in a unique way. Let’s see who has a strong heart.

I see quotes and images like this a lot on social media.

They really do a disservice to disabled people. It portrays people in the wrong way!

Disabled people are not cute little puppies or kittens.

Disabled people are human beings who want to be respected.

Disability does not mean inability!

These quotes suggest that disability prevents someone from being beautiful or making friends.

The way these quotes about disability are shared on social media is an easy way for disabled people to be bullied.

It portrays disabled people as incapable or different in a negative way, and it makes people see disabled adults as children. No adult wants to be seen or treated as a child!

The ability we have and the disability that is our diagnosis make us diverse in the same way our hair color, eye color, dimples, or freckles set us apart.

Please rethink sharing a photo like this.

They don’t encourage acceptance. These photos portray disabled children and adults as incapable and tarnished.

If you want to show your support for us, don’t share photos like these.

Accept us.

Include us socially. (We make great friends.)

Know that we are capable. (Adults are not children! Don’t treat us like children!)

We are beautiful.

We are determined.

Don’t pity us. We don’t waste our lives looking at what we’re incapable of or at how how we are different. We live our lives. Relationships, jobs, goals, and hobbies are just some of the things that are fulfilling in our lives.

Support us. Help us to find ways to reach our goals when we are struggling. Teach us the skills we need to succeed.

Don’t speak for us. We are living with a disability and we have the best perspective. We know firsthand the effects things like learning skills for a job can have and we know what helps and what doesn’t.

Listen to us. We want future disabled people to reach their success with support and less struggle.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Kate Nelson and originally appeared here. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more stories like this here:

‘Penny is nonverbal, but please don’t make her a prop. She is not your ‘disabled best friend.’: Dad touched after stranger’s rare ‘act of empathy’ for daughter with Aicardi syndrome, ‘the world needs more people like her’

‘I went on countless job interviews, but I didn’t ‘look the part.’ The second they saw me, the whole vibe changed.’: Woman with Nemaline Rod Myopathy embraces disability, ‘I want to be seen for the smart, fun, boss babe that I am’

‘Today my little sister received her school yearbook. She was intentionally left out due to her differences in ability.’: Sister to student with Down syndrome advocates for inclusion, ‘There is no excuse’

‘To the dad at the bounce park, thank you for teaching your child to interact with someone ‘different.’: Mom to son with Down syndrome shares stranger’s act of kindness, inclusion that made her ‘heart swell’

Help us show compassion is contagious. SHARE this story on Facebook with family and friends.

10,130 Shares Tweet Email acceptance, adult bullying, autism, be kind, be respectful, compassion is kindness, disability advocate, disABILITY awareness, disability community, disability inclusion, disabled, diversity and inclusion, friendship, listen to us, living disabled, love, Love What Matters, neurodiverse, pity, social media, support us, we’re all human here ‘I know you wonder where your place is. You ask, ‘Should I be here?’ ‘Is this right for me?’ ‘Am I welcome?’: Woman reminds us ‘your place is anywhere you want to be’I Am Not A Fun Mom—And That’s Okay

Source: lovewhatmatters.com