Advocacy with force at High Force:
Advocacy with force at High Force: Today we visited High Force, and while the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, the experience was also a reminder of the barriers disabled people can still face. Living with chronic pain, EDhS and POTS means I have to plan everything carefully. I brought a foldable chair so I could rest safely without relying on there being seating available. Instead of being asked about my accessibility needs, I felt I was spoken to abruptly before I had the chance to explain why I had it. The interaction left me feeling anxious and, for a while, like I was the problem. The important part, though, is that I advocated for myself. I stayed calm, explained my needs, acknowledged that staff have rules to follow, and respectfully said I didn't appreciate the way I was being spoken to. That might not sound like much to some people, but for someone who has experienced anxiety and trauma around conflict, it represents huge personal growth. Disabled people aren't ask...
