Just need to vent, debrief and share.
I just got disability shamed by a Christian church leader.
I had approached for help with accommodation, he had linked me to a lady looking for a lodger. We were not a good fit, the room was tiny, the place was infested with mice and mould, the floor was caving in, it stank of mould and smoke.
I accepted another two places. One fell through because the person googled my disability and didn’t want a tenant with disability. The next fell through last minute because I asked for a rent agreement and the woman, who lives in a mansion by today’s standards, doesn’t want social security to know her income.
I reached out to the pastor and asked if he would consider leasing a property for people with disabilities to share together as I’m tired of 99% of landlords rejecting disabled applicants leaving only these last resort places. He was initially open to that.
Three days later he calls me out of the blue and demands to know why I haven’t taken the room in the place full of mice. He then said that because I haven’t, that I’m untrustworthy so won’t look at leasing.
I don’t know whats triggered it - whether he’s having a bad day. But he was very rude to me and some days it feels like everyone wants to pick on, and take a piece out of, people with disability.
The whole reason I’m looking for a place is that instead of having kind and accepting family I have highly abusive family who treat me badly for having disability.
They try to control my life and put me down and judge me and blame me.
I DIDNT need more of the same from a church at this time - especially after two places fell through.
People are being untrustworthy to ME because I have disability and they see that as an opportunity for all their bad behaviours to have full play. To control, manipulate, blame and disrespect then deny it and victim blame.
I’m so tired of the widespread prejudice, exploitation, control and abuse of people with disability.