A Quote from a Conversation

"Every time I go out, I am reminded that living with a disability, with difference, is like being surrounded by and forced to look into thousands of unkind mirrors. My reflection in the eyes of others is carnival misshapen. In one, I am a lazy drain on society. In another, I am ugly and bulky and belong indoors. In another, I am their worst fear come to life. Thousands of unkind mirrors, reflecting, me against glass warped by prejudice, and fear, and hatred. Sometimes I look at myself, in my own mirror, but when I do I must ensure that I can see who's actually there, without that twisted, grasping, ugly, needy thing that I see, in thousands of unkind mirrors, looking back at me."