Brueggeman’s article struck me as not only an incredible woman’s life story, but also a very eye opening experience. The fact that so many individuals hide their disability from the public eye never actually crossed my mind. This idea forced me to re-look at the people in my life, wondering who might be just like Brueggeman and experiencing a similar situation. In all honestly, the piece made me feel ashamed that I’ve always just assumed my peers to be completely able persons. The fact that the kid I sit next to in Biochemistry might be hiding an auditory or visual disability and struggling just to take notes is quite humbling, and makes me feel bad for all the distractions my friends and I cause during lecture.
The discussion over “coming out” was very powerful to me as well. One of my good friends is homosexual, and had a similar experience with his “coming out” freshman year. The similarities were striking and thought provoking because I never made such a powerful connection between the two. I witnessed some of the difficulties he had to go through, and can only imagine Brueggeman must have struggled through similar difficulties. I also found similarities between his “passing” in the heterosexual community prior to the coming out and Brueggeman’s “passing” as a non-disabled person.
Based on the readings provided, I feel that the meaning of “to pass” implies a person with a disability shielding his or her disability from the public eye, integrating into a non-disabled culture. As Montgomery comments, it’s when you look at someone with a disability and say “’I can’t see what barriers she faces’” (Montgomery). The author also comments about how this means their disability is their problem to deal with and overcome, because no one else can notice it. I agree that this is unfair, and that even the “invisibly disabled” deserve the same rights and accessibility that others in the disabled community have. Finally, by encouraging others, whether they’re friends, peers, or a complete stranger, to pick between passing or overcoming their disability, I feel that you are taking away their freedom as an individual to cope with it not only how they want, but in the way best fit for them.
joshgatz316 
Hi Josh,
I really appreciate your reflections on the articles. I too thought about when my close friend came out as gay during our sophomore year as I read the article and the similarities to Brueggeman’s story. It is an interesting comparison that I had not previously thought to make. It is also interesting that it seems society almost views physical disabilities as challenges to be “overcome,” since they are visible, and “invisible disabilities” as something that should be hidden and kept a secret. Great post!
-Rebecca
The point you bring up about not knowing if those around you have any type of disability is very interesting. It is true, you may not know because people might be embarrassed about their disability or they might have as Montgomery says an “invisible” disability that is not noticeable to those around you.
I agree with you definition of “passing,” as someone with a disability trying to hide it and blend in with the majority of our society.
I think you brink up a great point about encouraging others to be who they are and accept themselves, so that their disability does not hold them back.
I was equally surprise when learning that so many individuals hide their disability from the public eye, especially deafness. I too am somewhat ashamed that I was never aware of this reality until I read Brueggeman’s essay. I find myself wondering if I myself have ever inadvertently contributed to these societal pressures that cause a person with a disability to feel they need to “pass” as “normal”.
I think by telling someone to attempt to pass as “normal” not only takes away their freedom as an individual, but also tells them that their disability is something to be ashamed of, and something that must be hidden. What are your thoughts on Montgomery’s suggestion to give up the belief in invisible disability and work as a cross-disability community in a way that acknowledges all disabled people, and all people, as individuals?
I too had a similar epiphany when reading the Bruggerman story. It is not easy to see the less visible disabilities that people face. The fact that we do not realize the barriers some people face day-to-day is a testament to their strength and mental toughness. While the back of a lecture hall might get in a rage when they an hardly hear the professor I now see that there are people who are so used to this disadvantage they take it in stride. This is of course not the only example but the most convenient one that comes to my mind after the reading. What prevents professors and authority figures from being more accommodating to the needs of students? Do you think it is a disregard and unwillingness to help or is it more likely a lack of knowledge about invisibile disabilities which seemed to be our mental block.?