So I'll attempt to answer them, of course as it applies to me and only me, as that is all I can do.
Q: Do you expect disability activists after this to welcome you with open arms.
A: No, I do not expect disability activists to welcome me after the possible acquisition of requested, or even required operation.
Actually I expect the opposite, to have disability activists outright and totally shun me. And I am one hundred and ten percent okay with that.
Not only am I okay with that, I'm also okay with all of the rest of the negative connotations, Whether it be from rejection from society, or all of the negative things and reactions, even rejection from society as a whole.
As long as I accept myself that is all that matters to me, and after twenty plus years of deeply pondering. My belief, which has become more of knowing now, that I will indeed accept myself after acquiring the amputation.
Q: Would I demand, or expect disability activists to open their volunteer arms and specialty services to them.
A: In short, no. But I may be in a unique position in that I am actually one of those disability activists. However it appears that being one of those activists is not too unique for those with biid.
Q: Will transabled people insist that there is such a thing as an innate 'ability’ identity.
A: Well, that’s bit of a tough one to answer. But I don’t think I would insist. Just state my opinions and observations. Such as believing that there is an equal and opposite to everything.
However, I’m not to sure in what sense the term ability is used in. Whether it be of an “abled body” identity, or the predisposition to be quite successful in life. However, I think in this context it is that of the former.
So, with that I’m inclined to say yes there is, in the abled body sense. I base this on my meeting with of those who’ve had a physical disability since birth. Some strongly desire to be an abled body, while others are perfectly content being disabled. Some were in absolute fear of being an abled body when presented with that aspect.
Whether that be from fear of the unknown, or that of an ability identity is up for interpretation. I personally think that it’s a combination of both, sometimes one factor being stronger than the other depending on the individual.
In short, I would conclude that yes there is.
Q: Would you insist that brains of transabled and disabled people are wired differently from abled body people.
A: That’s also a bit of a tough one to answer. But no I wouldn’t necessarily insist. Rather, again I would present the currently available evidence that would point to one way or another. I would give my opinion on how I interpret said evidence, than I would leave it at that and let them form their own opinion.
With the current evidence, I would be inclined to think that the brains are indeed wired differently, as is seen in the below image of a brain scan.
The top two brain images at the top are that over a normal individual when they (essentially) touched one of their legs. One if of the left leg being touched, The other the right leg being touched.
The two brain images on the bottom are that of a person with biid. Again one is of one leg being touched, and than the other. However, their seems to be a discrepancy in brain activity when the affected limb was touched, as opposed to a normal person. Sadly that seems to be the only available evidence so far. At least of what I can find.
source: http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2009/03/voluntary_amputation_extra_phantom_limbs.php
Q: Will you insist that [physically] disabled people are privileged over you because society takes their disability seriously, and treats transabled people’s like a joke?
A: Well, that’s quite a quandary to answer. For me I also am a [physically] disabled person. The disability had nothing to do with or relate to being ‘transabled.’ So I don’t feel as being qualified to answer that question, because how I could I feel privileged over myself? My answer is I can’t.
But I can offer up, that society can and often does treat some of the physical disability’s like a joke.
It also seems to be the case that quite a few transabled people also have a physical disability, not relating to their biid
Q: Will transabled people deny that they’ve ever felt abled body privileges because they’ve always felt disabled.
A: Another quandary. As I am physically disabled, perhaps not as severe as others. But I would not deny that I’ve ever felt abled body privileges. Rather I’d qualify it with that most of those privileges aren’t particularly enjoyable to me for some reason. As for the one I did or do enjoy I'd be more than willing to giver those up for an eternity, in exchange for just a day of relief from this mental anguish.
Q: Will transabled people deny that they have ever oppressed people with disability because they have always empathized with them and want to be like them?
A: Hmm.. how to phrase this appropriately. I guess, how can one deny something they’ve never done. So yes, I would deny it, but only because I’ve never done it.
Again, I might be from a unique circumstance in that of being raised ‘old school’ style. By that I mean I’ve been taught, and do every chance I get, to go out of my way to help absolutely everyone in anyway that I can, whether they’re disabled or not. It always seems to make their day, especially when they see someone with the arms full of about 10 collegiate textbooks hold a door open for them. Although I do sometimes have to qualify it with a statement along the lines of “Don’t worry, I’m not patronizing. I do this for everyone no matter what” for some, when needed. The first time it might not make their day, but after they’ve seen me go through the same efforts for a physically abled body (or even a younger body), it does from then on.
Q: Will transabled people insist that the people who were disabled since birth are privileged, because at least society has always treated them as disabled
A: I think we’ve established that I’m not one to usually insist on thing.
No, I wouldn’t insist on that, neither do I believe that. More of that I feel sorry, not that I take pity on them, rather I feel sorry for the sorry state of our society that we‘ve built.
Q: Will transabled people expect that disability activist to devote there time and energy in addressing the specific needs of the transabled.
A: Again I am one of those disability activist. So I guess, I would expect at least one , that is I would expect myself to devote my time and energy to addressing those specific needs.
As for expecting others to do it. No, I don’t expect it at all. Neither have I asked for it, nor do I foresee asking for it, ever. I think that may be one of the reasons why I became a disability activist in the first place.
However, if it is offered on their own free will, I won't deny it.
Q: Will transabled insist that their desires to be disabled have nothing to do with sexuality, and is not a fetish ever?
A: For my case, I would insist on that. I base that stance on a few things, one of which is can a non-abused (sexually or physically) 4 year old boy be or have any idea of sexuality? Given normal circumstance, I think it is popular belief that they do not.
Neither do I get ‘turned on’ by disability. Nor by just seeing someone with a disability. I’d even go so far as to say that the idea of disability in and of itself is a rather effective ‘turn off‘.
Although I will admit that if I did see some attractive young lady in a wheelchair, or missing a leg or arm, or some other disability. Yes, I could get ‘turned on’ to that, but in the same sense that I could get ‘turned on’ to an attractive young lady who had no disability. And I don’t mean attractive in the physical sense, for me in the end personality always trumps physical appearance.
But for those, who would at least have it appear to be a fetish, I can offer up another take on it. That is, it may be the only outlet of relief from the intense thoughts related to biid, albeit the relief is only but a moment (literally).
Q: Will transabled people expect disabled people to recognize that they’ve always been disabled “inside,” even when they‘re living in an abled body?
A: For me, no I do not expect that one bit. Again, as long as I can accept myself nothing else would matter.
It’s hard enough to get some people, whether physically or mentally disabled, or even able bodied, and even so called specialists in the mental and/or physical disability field . To recognize that some mental condition are disabling, even some physical ones for that matter.
Q: Will transabled people insist that disabled people must not differentiate from transabled people in any way, unless it is to acknowledge their privilege over transabled people.
A: No, I do not, have not and will not insist, or even [intentionally] state that in any way.
I do realize that what may be a privilege for one, may just as equally be a curse for another. And vice-versa. I think that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” applies here.
Q: Will transabled people insist that disability activists must not critique or analyze transabledism, because to do so invalidates their lived experiences and is trans-phobic.
A: No, I would not insist, nor even think of asking such a thing, ever. Rather I encourage such exercises.
Sure, I’d admit to sometimes wishing that some of their critiques or the result of their analysis went the other way, but that's life.
Even when it is of a way I wish it didn’t go, I do realize that in order to, healthily, move forward with things that such activities are necessary. And that those activities can, and often do, help in understanding our problem, and the positive results far out weight the negative. And with only that can we ever hope to get the support, and as of yet non-existent help needed.
Q: Do You want your 'impairment' to get onto disability or welfare?
A: Ironically, I want my impairment to get off of said disability and welfare. I'd bet that throws quite a few people for a loop.
However, I think that illustrates the disabling effect of a transabled, or the effects of biid quite nicely, That is while not having said disability or impairment.
If you’ve any more question, please feel free to ask, and Ill do my best to honestly answer the [sincere] questions.
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