An Ableist, AntiSemetic Troll Walks Into A Podcast...

Details: Published on Saturday, 26 May 2012 12:55; Written by Jules

Yesterday I was trolled. It was really quite awful if I must be honest. I don't want to admit it because when I do, the troll wins.

In short, this jerk pops on to the Chronic Chronicles podcast chat and begins ranting about antisemitic and abeliest garbage.
I did all the technical things I was supposed to in order to get rid of him and he kept coming back. I am working with Talk Shoe, I am wondering why there is no live support to handle situations like this. A hate crime is a hate crime no matter how you slice it, and there should be someone there to stop this.

I think what bothers me the most is that he revealed a chink in my Chronically Awesome Armor. He got to me to go from strong and mighty Jules to crying baby Juli that could not deal with it, could not ignore, could not overcome the stupidity of some bitch troll that can't face people in person, getting his kicks disrupting the lives of others who are trying to make the world a better place.

I will tell you what also bothers me. It is that it wasn't just me, it was my co-hosts, it was the audience trying to participate in the chat. I could not protect them, and that is my job.

It's a day later and still I am crying, still I am afraid to engage socially. The biggest parts of my agoraphobia have crept back to the surface.

I will be back next Friday. I have the support of those I need to be there and be strong. These tears will stop, the anxiety will lift. I am Chronically Awesome and that means that nothing will stop me. Just give me an hour to compose myself... or 3 hours.
or 48.

And to the troll: I honestly don't think that Hitler gave much thought to Crohn's. Really, I doubt it.

Chronic Chronicles || Fridays || 3pm Eastern || Noon Pacific

Note: Similar to many of the assumptions underlying the medical model of disability amongst many clinicians, the "ableist" societal world-view is that the able-bodied are the norm in society, and that people who have disabilities must either strive to become that norm or should keep their distance from able-bodied people. A disability is thus, inherently, a "bad" thing that must be overcome. The ableist worldview holds that disability is an error, a mistake, or a failing, rather than a simple consequence of human diversity, akin to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender.
"ideas, practices, institutions, and social relations that presume able-bodiedness, and by so doing, construct persons with disabilities as marginalized […] and largely invisible 'others'" Vera Chouinard (professor of geography at McMaster University),

Comments

0 #7 Ellen S 2012-05-28 13:10

You took my thoughts and experiences of the last months and put them into words. Thank you so much for acknowledging the imperfections of being a health advocate. We are human. We do let trolls get to us. We get hurt and we cry. We can't protect everyone no matter how badly we want to. We have chinks in our armor we would rather no one see. A bully is a bully, no matter where they choose to do their work, but sometimes it's hard to keep that in perspective.

We are human beings. Usually soft. Always compassionate. That's what makes us good at what we do. It also makes us vulnerable.

((Hugs)) Thank you for making this advocate's day

Quote

0 #6 Jules 2012-05-27 00:30

Thank you everyone for your comments. It's been a tough day dealing with where jerks like this can take someone like me, someone a bit "fragile" in emotional terms. I did end up in the ER tonight with some EDS symptoms that were, no doubt a result of stress. I can't give this jerk all the credit, there were some other stressors in my day that didn't help.
Anyway, thank you again for your feedback. Thanks for listening to the show too. :lol:

Quote

+2 #5 Chris Dean 2012-05-26 17:32

I subscribe off iTunes, so I haven't heard it yet...but I'm already sad/fighting mad/appaled at the BS humanity continues to dig out of the cracks.
I am so sorry you had to go through that crap! I know you are one hell of a survivor and you'll come back stronger, but it's still nothing you should EVER have had to deal with! (No one should!)
While you take the time you need to calm your anxiety, know that we're all here for you!

Quote

+2 #4 Johnny L 2012-05-26 15:08

It amazes (and saddens) me that there are people out there that still get their kicks like that! I told Donna K, and I will say it again, you guys handled yourselves with grace and dignity. Hopefully this person will just fall off the face of the Earth, as the universe seems to eventually balance itself out. Don't let this keep you down, it's not worth it. You guys do great work, thanks.

Quote

+1 #3 Maranda 2012-05-26 14:45

I feel terrible for you. I don't know why some people can be so hateful, but try to shake it off. I know you know trolls aren't worth the energy.

Quote

+1 #2 andrea gehrke 2012-05-26 14:03

Oh my God, I feel so awful for you that you had to go through that! It's hate personified. Wish you would have had the tech support to get rid of this crashing troll. Big hugs Jules. Stand strong and don't let this person intimidate you.

Quote

0 #1 Jules 2012-05-26 13:23

Similar to many of the assumptions underlying the medical model of disability amongst many clinicians, the "ableist" societal world-view is that the able-bodied are the norm in society, and that people who have disabilities must either strive to become that norm or should keep their distance from able-bodied people. A disability is thus, inherently, a "bad" thing that must be overcome. The ableist worldview holds that disability is an error, a mistake, or a failing, rather than a simple consequence of human diversity, akin to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender.

Quote

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post