Am I Inspirational For Being Disabled?

I never thought I would be talking too much about Love Island on this blog, as it's not my most favourite TV show in the world. However, this topic kind of ties in with Love Island so it needs to be mentioned.


One of Love Island's new cast members is a PE teacher from Hampshire who has a clubbed foot, which makes him the first disabled person to enter the show since it started. When it was announced, the media went into an "inspiration" frenzy and he was hailed as a hero even before entering the villa. 

Am I Inspirational For Being Disabled?

Seeing all the tweets and articles floating around about this on social media made me realise how society views disabled people today. Do you really see us as inspirational just for having a disability and being somewhat slightly different to yourselves? 


From my perspective, I don't believe I am inspirational, well, certainly for not having Cystic Fibrosis anyway. I was born with a life limiting, complex, progressive lung disease. This is my life, this is what I was born into. No one forced my hand nor did I sign a contract allowing Cystic Fibrosis to possess my body. I'm in no way a fan of being disabled, but that's how it is and I've accepted that. The only thing I won't do is let me illness define me as a person. Does that make me inspirational to you all who are reading this? Would you call my parents inspirational for producing a baby with a disability? Probs not. I would rather be inspirational for something else, not because of my disability. 

Am I Inspirational For Being Disabled?

Disabled people have dealt with a few fair blows from society, whether that be mocked or even be accused of not being or looking disabled enough to warrant a disabled space in Tesco's. Disabled people have gone about life with grace, dignity, with utter strength and determination. Maybe that's because we've had no choice to. But I wouldn't call that inspirational - that's just us trying to live the best life we can. You may call that inspirational, and I will respect that opinion you have and I will always take the inspirational comment as a compliment, but I just can't see it. I shouldn't be inspiring people because I'm popping pills every five minutes. 


One thing I have learnt in these last 18 months or so is how a part of society see disabled people as burdensome and a nuisance to others. Seeing tweets during the lockdown of "F*ck the disabled and elderly, I want to go to the pub" and "Let the vulnerable stay at home forever so we can go out" is just not on. Shows how some have little respect for us and our lives. I'm sorry, I didn't ask for this life. You got a problem with that? Take it up with DNA while I breathe in my next nebuliser of the day!

Am I Inspirational For Being Disabled?

Then others dish out the inspirational porn and see us as the bees knees purely for getting up to have a shower. The thing is, if that's the case, I could be called inspiring for just about anything. I could be the first play centre assistant working who is disabled, the first disabled woman driving a Kia, the first disabled woman to pick up something with their toes without losing balance. That's not inspiring to me, that's just me living. I should say that the toe thing I've been able to do since I was a kid. I have talented toes. 


Back to Love Island, when it started becoming diverse for casting a disabled person for this year's series and when the word inspirational was being banded about for this PE teacher in particular, I never really thought about how being inspiring to others could be taken. Now thinking about it, I don't understand how I could be seen as that word. 

Am I Inspirational For Being Disabled?

I'm not sure of the point I'm trying to get across with this post. I kind of just wanted to, well, rant in a way and share my thoughts on this subject as it has been a hot topic lately. 


I'd love to know your views on this. Am I being ungrateful to those who think I'm inspiring? Have I given you a new perspective to think about? Let me know!
45 comments
  1. I think this is a really interesting post. I don't necessarily think you are inspiration for having CF, but I do think you are amazing as a person and for spreading awareness on your blog ❤

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    1. Thank you Caroline, that's always been my aim with my blog, to spread awareness of my illness and having an invisible disability!

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  2. This is such a great post. I think its so important to talk about disabilities so that people become aware of them. I'm sure through your posts you have inspired people to love the skin they are in, no matter what.

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    1. Aww thank you so much Kelly, that means so much!

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  3. This is such an interesting post and it's really got my mind working. I love you and your content for who you are, I don't look at you thinking "she's disabled" etc. It's a funny one, isn't it. This past year has been so tough for disabled and elderly people it's really opened my eyes to a lot of stuff!
    Rosie

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Rosie, it really means a lot! x

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  4. Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour16 July 2021 at 08:30

    This is such a fab post Lucy! Disability doesn't make me see someone as inspirational. I don't see you as an inspirational person but I love you and your content not because you are disabled but because in my opinion, you are one of the most real, authentic bloggers I have seen. I love the fact that you spread awareness and are open about your disability. x

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    1. Thank you Ruth!
      In a way, I'm glad you don't find me inspirational as I don't see myself as that anyway!
      I really appreciate your kind words lovely, that means so much! x

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  5. This was such an interesting blog post Lucy. I really can see both sides of the discussion!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

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  6. This was really interesting to read. I am also with you on this one where I don’t necessarily think your inspirational for having a disability but I love how you spread awareness and I’ve learnt so much more about CF from you! X

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  7. I really enjoyed reading this and hearing your perspective on this topic! I completely get where you're coming from and love how you're spreading awareness, that's inspiring for me x

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    1. Thank you Della, I'm glad you enjoyed this post lovely x

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  8. Love this post and how open and honest you are! such a great topic !
    shy - https://www.shyyshianne.com/

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  9. As others have said, I don't see you as inspiration for having CF, but I do value your insights on life with a disability and the way you raise awareness x

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    1. I'm glad you don't find me inspirational Lisa, cause I don't think I am! x

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  10. This was a great read! I have been reading more about inspirational porn on Instagram actually a couple of days ago. I think of you as inspiring and someone to follow because you spread awareness on Cystic Fibrosis and how you live with it. But I also come here for beauty posts, great reviews and amazing pictures x

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    1. Thank you Cristina, your kind words mean so much! x

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  11. Hi Lucy,

    I don't watch Love Island - never have, never will! - but I am aware of it from the odd (and I mean odd!) clip on Gogglebox ;-)

    I don't think that you, or anybody with a disability, are inspiring because you have a disability. However, you, or they, may be inspirational for the way in which you handle the disability. I think that is different.

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    1. You're not the only one Richie, I hate the show! I agree, being inspirational is completely to that of being inspirational for having a disability

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  12. The tweets you have seen sound horrible about lockdown. After a work accident I am now classed as disabled. I feel people are inspirational in regards to dealing with constant pain and how they live. It is not the disability that is inspiring, it is the person if that makes sense.

    Lauren - bournemouthgirl.com

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    1. I agree Lauren, people dealing with constant pain and their disability and how they cope with it is more inspirational!

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  13. Super interesting to read about this and thank you for sharing. I think it's important not to hail the disability as an inspiration, but more the person and what they do, is that right? x

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. That's absolutely right lovely, hail the person that they are and not the disability! x

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  14. This is definitely such an interesting readd my lovely, I like to see both sides of the discussion, it's definitely got me thinking.

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    1. I'm glad that this post has got you thinking Amie!

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  15. This is a great post! I myself have chronic illnesses and I wouldn’t deem myself as an inspiration just for having them. This is a really interesting read and I think it’ll bring awareness to whoever reads! I do value you and I find you an inspiration for sharing what you do! I love how you raise awareness. Xo

    Elle - ellegracedeveson.com

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    1. I hope that this post does bring awareness to a lot of people too Elle! x

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  16. I really enjoyed reading this love! It's such a thought provoking post. I wouldn't say you were inspirational because of your disability, I just think you're an amazing person in general & what you do raising awareness of CF, especially for someone like myself who has little to no knowledge on it, is brilliant! Loved reading this. And loved your fun toes fact. Haha!

    Claire.X
    www.clairemac.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Claire, I'm glad you liked my fun toes fact! x

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  17. Really loved this post. It's an interesting debate. I wouldn't say that anyone with a disability automatically become inspirational but I've loved reading your content and gaining greater awareness of CF!

    Tash - A Girl with a View

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    1. No I agree Tash, no one should be automatically labelled inspirational just because they have a disability! x

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  18. It's very difficult to find the right balance between feeling flattered and outright offended. And I believe if you manage to find your inner level there, maybe it could help. But in no way you should feel anything unless you want to and believe it it's worth your time and effort. You are a brilliant person for being Lucy, not for being disabled. We should all love Lucy for being Lucy, not only for the disabilities that make her. Sending love x

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    1. I loved reading your words Simona, thank you for reading and commenting! x

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  19. Lovely post, Lucy! I love reading about your experiences with CF and that you spread awareness about your disability. As always the media loves to just throw out words for clickbait and overexaggerating! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! xx

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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    1. Thank you Lynn, I do agree, the media do like to throw around clickbait! xx

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  20. I really enjoyed this, and I think from my own perspective the word disabled is too broad to really consider whether it's inspirational or not. Sometimes you read things about people with disabilities that are inspirational and quite phenomenal. I will never not be blown away by someone with a prosthetic leg running a marathon, but it's a bit strange the way people get sensationalised for doing normal things. I think with Love Island it could just be that it's a show based a lot on appearances so it's nice to see someone who isn't the 100% embodiment of perfection in there? I'm not sure, but it was really interesting to read your perspective on this.

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. I hate it when disabled people are sensationalised for doing normal everyday things, it's just pointless! I think if I did go on Love Island (no way I would anyway!) I wouldn't want to be known as someone who has a disability, I'd rather be known as me! x

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  21. I really enjoyed reading this post Lucy! I completely agree with your point about how strange, or almost confusing, it is that some people see people with disabilities as automatically inspirational. For me, you're inspiring for the way that you educate and are so open with your disability online. It's inspiring to see you share your honest experience with CF and educate your readers and followers on it! x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. I agree Faye, people with disabilities shouldn't automatically be labelled inspirational for having a disability, it should be for how they educate others and how they cope with their life x

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  22. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, I was thinking the same when I'm helping out at Guides, I'm an inspiration to the girls as a leader that has invisable disabiltties or not? I do hope am I an inspiration to the young people. You are also an inspiartion yourself for blogging about your health issues to :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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  23. I absolutely loathe Love Island with a passion but having said that it's hard to get away from all the hype around it! It's great that he's raising some awareness but I think that the press immediately jump on the fact that this person has a disability and for that reason he's automatically an inspiration. In a lot of cases, in the media's eyes, a person is an inspiration because they have a disability and it almost seems patronising. I completely agree it should be more about how these people raise awareness and how they deal with their condition rather than anything else!
    Amy | sassycatlady.com

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  24. Disability doesn't make me see someone as inspirational, like that shouldn't be the reason some is - I don't think? If anything it puts even more pressure one someone and for what? Being who they are?

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