I appreciate this. I recently had a friend push back at my use of the word “disabled” for myself because she said she doesn’t like labels and thinks of people as people. I had to think about why this label is important to me, and yet does not define me. I told her that it’s useful and it helps me when others understand the limitations I have. She appreciated that and said she is learning that she also needs not to erase things that are true about people. I think she’s starting in the right place though, thinking of people as people. And the label of disabled does not fully define me or explain who I am. I like your way of putting it - I am a disabled person who exists as myself in the image and likeness of God.
What a great example. You make me think of diagnoses, too, and how those labels can do harm in some ways but they also can be really freeing, as they can allay fears and equip you with tools. But it's different for everyone; some people like to identify with a diagnosis, and others reject that approach. Fundamentally, people are people -- but we are also our unique selves, and image-bearers, first and foremost.
"But thinking of ourselves as existing not merely in fact but also as who we essentially are — as image bearers — is a different mind experiment that brings something a little deeper to bear.
I exist as myself in the image and likeness of God."
Might have to write that last line down and put it up somewhere visible. From high school to college to adulthood, the lack of a defined, positive label—at least in the way I saw those around me supposedly having them—has been a major source of insecurity and sometimes grief. But pinning something down wouldn't capture all the other parts of me, anyway. And neither can it for other people, which is good to remember.
I understand what you mean, Haley. We're looking not just to know who we are, but for a label for ourselves that is *valued* by our culture. When we don't have such a label, there can be a strong internal battle.
This is soooo, soooo good. Labels can be helpful but in this moment in time, labels feel very reductionist and limiting. I like to think about myself as a person made in God's image with many different facets, some big, some small, sometimes overlapping, but all of it me.
Or maybe a Venn diagram would be better? I do love me a good Venn. ;)
I appreciate this. I recently had a friend push back at my use of the word “disabled” for myself because she said she doesn’t like labels and thinks of people as people. I had to think about why this label is important to me, and yet does not define me. I told her that it’s useful and it helps me when others understand the limitations I have. She appreciated that and said she is learning that she also needs not to erase things that are true about people. I think she’s starting in the right place though, thinking of people as people. And the label of disabled does not fully define me or explain who I am. I like your way of putting it - I am a disabled person who exists as myself in the image and likeness of God.
What a great example. You make me think of diagnoses, too, and how those labels can do harm in some ways but they also can be really freeing, as they can allay fears and equip you with tools. But it's different for everyone; some people like to identify with a diagnosis, and others reject that approach. Fundamentally, people are people -- but we are also our unique selves, and image-bearers, first and foremost.
"But thinking of ourselves as existing not merely in fact but also as who we essentially are — as image bearers — is a different mind experiment that brings something a little deeper to bear.
I exist as myself in the image and likeness of God."
Might have to write that last line down and put it up somewhere visible. From high school to college to adulthood, the lack of a defined, positive label—at least in the way I saw those around me supposedly having them—has been a major source of insecurity and sometimes grief. But pinning something down wouldn't capture all the other parts of me, anyway. And neither can it for other people, which is good to remember.
I understand what you mean, Haley. We're looking not just to know who we are, but for a label for ourselves that is *valued* by our culture. When we don't have such a label, there can be a strong internal battle.
This is soooo, soooo good. Labels can be helpful but in this moment in time, labels feel very reductionist and limiting. I like to think about myself as a person made in God's image with many different facets, some big, some small, sometimes overlapping, but all of it me.
Or maybe a Venn diagram would be better? I do love me a good Venn. ;)
A Venn diagram sounds awesome!!