I had fun #paddling this afternoon. At Fairway Gorge Paddling Club - #FGPC’s #DragonBoat Open House on Jutland. I was the only disabled person who attended. Pics(except the panoramic one) are from my Mom.
Met my para-dragonboating coach, Katy & enjoyed some chats with her, at the open house. Met some support staff for the para-dragonboating pilot program too. We start the program next Saturday🙂🛶🌊
One unpleasant thing happened today. It was when I was out, paddling. Some Chinese woman took it upon herself to lock gate leading to FGPC docks - when my Mom went to upper levels to refill water. When Mom returned, woman refused to give access to dock again - even though Mom told her, my daughter's disabled & she told me to be on lower dock, in case additional help is needed. I confronted the woman, after my paddle. She played dumb & I told her you cannot do that again or I'll make a big scene.
FYI - I have always been frustrated with mass #ableism in #Chinese & many other #Asian communities. I don't tolerate ableism by anyone & see it as a huge character flaw.
I believe it's very important for disabled Chinese & disabled Asians to stand up against ableism, when it happens. It's not OK to be an ableist & I am not very quiet about it.
@justafrog If I see her at club next Saturday, I'll remind her that she still owes my Mom an apology. She was rude & dismissive towards Mom - no humility shown; like many ableists who disregard people with disabilities, our needs & unkind to our supporters. The woman treated me like I was a pest & not a human being.
I'll be telling club staff about it - to ensure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
@justafrog We appreciate whenever non-disabled folks stand up & speak out against ableism, when it happens in their presence.
We often have to stand up for ourselves, by ourselves - in most offline situations. More offline support & solidarity for #PeopleWithDisabilities would be greatly welcomed. We don't have much problems getting support online. We have ongoing problems getting support offline.
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