Author: cutiemcscootie

My name is Layla. I have cerebral palsy and I have many philosophies on life, but chief among them is that if you cannot laugh at yourself, you’re doing something wrong. I have a dry, droll, often politically incorrect sense of humour. My topics will try to address everything with a measure of wit, but I cannot promise humour every time. What I can promise is brutal honesty, and an opinion that you might not always expect. I want to shed light on the realities of living with a disability and bring the right kind of attention to the unique struggles I and others like me face all the time. I’m no one’s inspiration porn… if that’s what you think I’m going to be writing, prepare to be woefully disappointed.

Assisted Suicide Legislation: Disabled & Unafraid

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Last year, Canada’s Supreme Court passed legislation legalizing doctor-assisted suicide under specific circumstances. Since then, I have watched the news and social media explode with disability advocates lamenting the decision; there is an overwhelming majority of the disability community expressing fear for their lives, saying that this legislation slides the wrong way on a slippery… Continue reading Assisted Suicide Legislation: Disabled & Unafraid

No, I Cannot Walk Through The Metal Detector

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I routinely joke with my friends, “I’m female, disabled and of Lebanese heritage; it’s like a reverse triple threat. There’s almost nothing I haven’t heard. I’m an open target.” I have indeed been on the receiving end of some truly perplexing sentiments and statements from strangers and I’ve been in countless odd and ridiculous situations.… Continue reading No, I Cannot Walk Through The Metal Detector

Politically Correct Overkill: Linguistic Fear Mongering

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired from 1997-2003. The show is known and praised for many things: its seamless blending of every genre imaginable (its sci-fi, it has action, drama, horror, romance and comedy) and its portrayal of strong females and its inventive use of language. The show’s dialogue still sounds fresh today, twelve years after… Continue reading Politically Correct Overkill: Linguistic Fear Mongering

‘World Cerebral Palsy Day’ Makes This Woman With Cerebral Palsy Want To Gag

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October 7th is officially World Cerebral Palsy Day! I’ve been living with cerebral palsy for my whole life. While I’m all for the spreading of awareness and dedicated advocacy, I find the concept of World Cerebral Palsy Day to be misguided. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder caused by a lack of oxygen to the… Continue reading ‘World Cerebral Palsy Day’ Makes This Woman With Cerebral Palsy Want To Gag

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, But Are They The Right Ones?

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A few months ago, a picture popped up online and quickly went viral. It was an image showing a young university student holding the hand of a man with cerebral palsy on a city bus. The university student was being hailed as a hero for his amazing act of kindness. The university student was identified… Continue reading A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, But Are They The Right Ones?