The Sustainment of Disablism, Disabilitism, and DisabledismAttitudes of Rejection, Pity, Charity, Patronization, Paternalism, Collectivism, Indifference, Indignation, Intimidation and Underestimation toward a person living with, or being affected by circumstances of disability, and causing them to be seen as inferior, can elicit many feelings. But all of those feelings combined can be characterized as one: the feeling of Humiliation.
Humiliation arises from Disablism, is often preserved by Disabilitism, and spawns Disabledism. The power of humiliation in reducing one's self-esteem and eroding one’s personal dignity should never be underestimated. Nor should the power of humiliation in controlling a person. Humiliation is a psychology of its own. It is often recognized in matters of human rights as hurt feelings. In the context of disability, if there is a single word to describe the consequences to a person having to repeatedly endure disablism and disabilitism, it is humiliation. Humiliation on account of disability leads to a sense of inferiority, and an erosion of person dignity and self-esteem. Humiliation reduces itself into fear in the person. It leads them to question the value of their presence amongst humanity. It opens the door to collectivism in addressing the needs, interests, and abilities, of persons affected by circumstances of disability. It can also lead to their being abused. Ultimately, humiliation is the pinnacle for sustaining lack of wellness and loss of dignity in a person living with, or being affected by circumstances of disability. Humiliation is also the essence of discrimination on account of disability.
