While I appreciate that a disability can prevent someone from doing things, I also think that threads like these just enhance the stereotypical thinking that the disabled are incapable.
I am blind. People just assume that I can’t do things, and behave as if I’m some kind of inspirational figure when I can. When actually I am perfectly independent, and there is no reason why I shouldn’t be able to do some things.
People assume I can’t cook/clean/bring up a child, that I need a carer and nine out of ten people believe that someone who is totally blind is incapable of doing a job. I in fact even know people who believe that e.g. David Blunket shouldn’t have been in any kind of position of power because he was blind. Nothing to do with who he was or what he was, purely because he is blind.
I have a full-time job. The people I work with know I am blind, but the customers I serve don’t, because my job is online. But I e.g. know someone who works for Apple who frequently has customers refuse to be served by him because he is blind and they want “someone capable.”
I am an excellent cook. I’ll hold my hands up and say that my cleaning skills are shit, although I do think that lack of inspiration plays a part. ;) I don’t need to change lightbulbs because I can’t see them anyway 😂. although on a serious note I can change a lightbulb. I have those smart bulbs though which tend to not need changing often. And are linked to an app on my phone so I can be sure that DS hasn’t left them on.
In lockdown I had to shield because of a different health condition. So I bought a lawnmower and a hedge trimmer, did my garden which, while will never be a symbol of horticulture is perfectly adequate. And I walked 10000 steps around my house every day to keep up my fitness. (And I’ve probably outed myself now).
I have a partner who doesn’t live with me so if I want stuff done I do it myself. DS is older now and capable and there is stuff he will do, but not because of my inability to do them with the exception of things like changing electric plugs (for obvious reasons) and building flat-pack furniture (see below).
My partner can’t cook and it infuriates me. People almost think it’s cute “ha ha you can’t cook” but it really isn’t. i do the cooking anyway because I enjoy doing it, but I certainly don’t think not being able to cook is anything he should be proud of.
And of course there are things I can’t do, but likely because I just can’t do them.
I can’t crochet but who cares. I can’t assemble flat-pack furniture and I think that changing a duvet cover is something that we will all spend an eternity doing in hell.
I think it’s sad that someone thinks that admitting to being unable to do certain life skills is something which should be treated as lighthearted. If it is something they can’t do due to a disability then that’s understandable. If they can’t do it due to their disability making it harder then it’s understandable but can be overcome. But otherwise I can only assume that someone admitting to a lac of basic life skills and wanting people to have a laugh about it at their expense can only mean they are lacking self esteem, which they also need to do something about