side effect of having a body

"illness isn't some punishment from on high, it's a side effect of having a body"

This is a line from a video by John Green uploaded to his VlogBrothers channel under the title "end the stigma". In the video Green discussed that in order to "end the stigma" for illnesses, we need to know what causes it. What really stuck out to me was Green's definition of stigma, which is as follows: stigma is a mark of disgrace that reduces someone from a whole person to a tainted and discounted person. In short, when someone is labelled as their illness, they are no longer themselves but rather a part of a stereotyped group. As a special education major this is something I have had to study in great detail. I've looked at how, for example, labeling someone as Autistic rather than a person with Autism limits their entire identity to one aspect of their identity. But, you may be wondering, how does this relate to Sabrina Moran? I'll explain.

Green stated that one of the ways to reduce the stigma is to resist the urge to see illness as some moral narrative. This will only lead to the isolation of those living with chronic illness. The pain of illness shouldn't be compounded by the pain of isolation. We need to challenge narratives that look for fault in the lives of ill people. In no way do I feel stigmatized for my illness, but I do often feel misunderstood. A question I commonly get asked is why don't I drive. Although I often get asked this as a simple question, there have been instances where the question is not so kind and the statement is paired with comments like "you're going to have to learn to drive at some point" and "you can't get rides from your parents forever." I feel guilty asking for rides. I usually say no to going to things when I know finding a ride will be difficult. This can be frustrating. Why can't they understand that it is not a choice and that if I had it my way, getting my license would be a walk in the park? But when you experience seizure-like activity, getting behind a wheel is not ideal.

I am not too lazy to get a license. I am not forcing my parents to be my personal chauffeurs. I am not wasting my parents money on Ubers. I am simply a person experiencing a limiting condition that prevents me from driving a car. To end the stigma we need to take away the narrative that people with disabilities are ever responsible for what they experience. This narrative can be more common and subtle than many would suggest.

I am Sabrina. I have a chronic illness but I am also a painter, a singer, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a future teacher, and so much more.