This is a transcript of a Mariposa discussion of several years ago. We recommend treating each question as it occurs before continuing on with the Mariposa group's discussion. Some, perhaps, but there are probably also people who are hardened by the experience of their disability, and aren't as sensitive to someone else's pain.
People respond differently to a disability.
Probably there's a greater shock and sense of loss for someone who grew up able-bodied and suddenly is disabled. Also, your disability influences how other people interact with you through all your growing up. Your experiences help shape who you are, so there has to be a difference growing up physically impaired or growing up able-bodied, because the life experiences are so different. Your disability and all the consequences that flow from it have powerfully influenced your life. Without having lived your disability, you'd be very different today.