After posting my previous article on Facebook (gotta get those clicks somehow, am I right?), Robyn Hunt offered a fascinating insight into why us disabled people feel this compulsion to be ‘the first to _____________’.
“We don’t know our history” – Robyn Hunt
Of course! We’re not taught disability history at school, we’re not born into disabled families where our folklore, history and culture is passed down from generation to generation, in the same way that it might be in families from ethnic minorities. It makes total sense that we would seek to take on significant roles, because we simply have no appreciation of those who have gone before.
In a small attempt to address this, my next two blog posts will highlight successful disabled people, both in New Zealand and overseas. Personally, I hope this wee research project will help me to let go of some of the desperation I clearly hold to occupy some position of importance. Because hey, if it’s been done before, then it’s not such a big deal, right?
Red Nicholson 
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