Talking about Body Integrity Identity Disorder – Just another disability!
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Transabled.org is an outlet for those of us who are transabled. The main focus is strongly on my thoughts about being transabled, wheelchairs, wannabes, disability, body identity integrity disorder (BIID) and related topics. Initially, it was merely a blog of sorts, before blogs even existed as such. Now, we have other people sharing their experiences, discussing their use of wheelchairs, of "pretending", of being who they are.
So you'll ask: "That 'thing', transabled, just exactly what is it?". It is hard to define in just a few words, the best way to learn is by going through the site, but in a nutshell, someone who is transabled "wants" to be disabled.
But it is not so much a "want" as much as a "need". Our "desire" is more a reflection of the fact that our self-image is that of a paraplegic (or amputee, or blind, or any number of other disabilities) than that of an able bodied man or woman.
The dichotomy between what our psyche tells us and what our body tells us is ripping us apart.
I well remember the first time I discovered I wasn't the only one feeling this way. I had a long discussion that evening with Sue, who told me about her desire to be paralysed. From there, I started looking around the 'net for more information about wheelchairs, wannabes (this is what most people call transabled). At the time, there was next to nothing. But it was enough to make me realise I was not the only one. That I was not sick in the head.
I only hope to repay the favour, and that a few people will find solace in knowing they are not alone.
You may think this pretty weird, obscene, even. But before you get upset about how we feel, I beg you to keep an open mind and read more about it. Explore the site, learn a little bit more. I always welcome an intelligent discussion about it, whether we agree or not.
And if you don't find it in you to be open minded, please move on.
Welcome!
SeanWe are looking for new contributors to the site. Do you have BIID? Are you interested in writing regularly about your experience living with BIID? If so, becoming an author on this site may be what you are looking for. Get more information about becoming an author »
by Chloe - 23 May 2013
I recently came across one of my baby pictures…
There I am in a pram at 14 months old.
It appears to me that I am looking over the side of the pram at the wheels with great curiosity.
“Ah yes”, she says “I see. So this is how I magically traverse the earth. I shall file this in my brain for future reference.”
by Elisabeth - 21 May 2013
Cutting body parts for no other reason than a peace of mind is all right and acceptable by many. Right? Sure, it just depends what you are cutting off and what kind of peace of mind you mean.
Inconsistency continues »
by Chloe - 10 May 2013
“Everything is as it should be!” Are you nuts? Is that not entirely antithetical to the nature of BIID? Is not BIID driven by a need for things to be other than they are?
Everything is as it should be! continues »
by Xavier - 8 May 2013
For the past six months or so, I find myself coming here with the intent to write. It never takes long before my thoughts devolved into utter chaos. There is too much to say, too many emotions. It’s happening already and I haven’t even finished the introductory paragraph.
Back in the Saddle continues »
by Chloe - 28 April 2013
The topics of conversation that come up between myself and my friends with physical impairments are quite varied. Once in a while BIID is one of those topics. Recently a friend asked “What do you do when your BIID is playing up?” Here is my delayed answer, unaltered with the exception of editing out other subjects of discussion during the conversation including her activities, family issues, relationship issues, and possible treatments to regain some function in regard to one of her physical impairments:
Talking BIID with a PWD continues »© transabled.org - 1994-2013 - All Rights Reserved.