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!
Sean
by Sophie - 9 May 2008
I haven’t been writing much lately, to be honest I’ve been trying to avoid thinking about BIID and my wheelchair because it is too painful. I know I can’t change my circumstances straight away, and yes I know ignoring my transabledness won’t fix that problem either. All I can do is make the best of what I’ve got.
Living Transabled continues »
by Sean - 1 May 2008
Blogging Against Disablism Day (BADD) is happening for the third year. And for the third year, I am participating. The first year was a bit bumpy, the second year wasn’t so. You can read past the past entries if you are interested :) This year, I wish to speak about the hierarchy found in the disability community, as it is a topic that has been toyed with on this blog recently.
BADD - How disability hierarchy hurts transabled people continues »
by Dante - 30 April 2008
Body Integrity Identity Disorder - That’s what we’re all here talking about; how it sucks, how we try and make it suck a lot less.
For me, it would suck oh so greatly less if it were, well, nonexistant. I could swallow a magic pill and poof, I was done with it. No more BIID, my mental self would be aligned with my physical self, I wouldn’t need to be deaf. That would be ideal…but at what consequence?
The Red Pill or the Blue Pill? continues »
by Claire - 28 April 2008
It’s weird. My body needs to move. I want to go for a long walk and enjoy the spring sunshine. I want to go on a hike and explore a forest. I want to ride a bike. To ski. To run up the stairs, two at a time. Dance. I want to move.
I need to move continues »
by Sean - 27 April 2008
Someone made a long comment in response to a post I recently made, asking several deep and interesting questions, which were too important to ignore, and too important to let them get burried in a thread with another post. And so, I removed the comment and reproduce it here, and I shall address it, the issues and questions within. It’s good stuff, tricky issues. But further than that, I am glad that someone who has a physical impairment is willing to open dialogue, and learn more about us. In the end, she may not agree, but if she disagrees, she’ll do so on an informed basis, rather than knee jerking!
Tricky questions and opening dialogue continues »© transabled.org - 1994-2008 - All Rights Reserved.