Disabled people represent 20% of Australia’s population, and yet, despite being it 2025, I’d say a lot of people still feel uncomfortable when it comes to talking about disability. As a disabled person, I can say this, because I experience it often, despite how powerful it was for me to actually identify as disabled.

When I first started developing chronic pain, illness, and worsening physical symptoms, I felt so lost. Living with a uterus, we’re so much more likely to develop invisible disabilities and illnesses—and yet, we’re so much more likely to experience medical gaslighting or medical misogyny, as well as a whole heap of ableism. I didn’t know what was happening to my body, why I was in such extreme pain, and so, so, so tired all the time, like a phone battery that can never charge beyond 20% (on a good day). It was maddening to not have a name to put to what I was experiencing, although lots of conditions were mentioned, like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.

I began posting what I was experiencing online. And that’s when I first connected with people from the online disability community. People assured me that lots of people don’t have answers, there is chronic under-funding and under-researching for many conditions, especially one that impacts people with a uterus. But not having a name for what you’re experiencing doesn’t mean what you’re experiencing isn’t real. And if your symptoms are disabling, you can call yourself disabled.

It was like a light bulb went off in my brain. My symptoms were disabling. I could barely cook, clean, work, or walk. I’d been blaming myself for not being able to do enough. But identifying as disabled actually helped so much. Because suddenly, I wasn’t the problem: I was simply existing in a world that wasn’t built for me. A world that honestly, largely doesn’t consider the existence of disabled people at all.

And you can tell, because people tend to become very uncomfortable when you proudly call yourself disabled.
“Awww, you’re not disabled, don’t say that about yourself,” a well-meaning medical professional responded to me when I referred to my disabilities in an appointment.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that people will do backflips to avoid saying the word “disabled”. They might use terms like oh no, you’re just “differently abled”, you just have “special needs”, or say things like “I only see your ability”. And I know they mean well by this, but what they’re actually doing is super harmful. Because terms, opinions and phrases like this only further the idea that we should separate ourselves from disability.

But why?

Disabled is just a word. It’s a natural part of the human experience. And yet, there is so much stigma.
I think sometimes people like to distance themselves because it makes them uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because they think: wow, I’m glad that’s not me!

My health was taken away from me in my early 20s. That’s something I never expected. I didn’t even know that could happen. Because it’s not something we’re taught about. But the truth is, it’s so easy to become disabled, and it can happen in an instant. From an illness, an accident, chance, or age. Time will disable us all. So, it benefits us all now to work through this stigma, and make changes to ensure society is actually accessible and inclusive.

I think a lot of the problem comes down to a lack of genuine and diverse disability representation. When you see us in the media, our stories are usually told by non-disabled people, either as inspiration porn, or a tragedy. Our lives are so much more. But that often isn’t shown.

And that’s why it’s so important for those with lived experience to share our voices. Because they are so powerful, especially together. And while living with multiple mental and physical disabilities in a world that wasn’t built for us is tough, I’m so glad I can speak up now, and use my lived experience to smash stigma, create change, and make the world a better place, especially for the beautiful disabled community, and our vital supporters.

It’s 2025. Can you just please call me disabled?

(I promise: it’s okay).

About the author:

Zoe Simmons is an award-winning disabled journalist, copywriter, speaker, author and fierce advocate. She writes and speaks candidly about her experiences as an autistic, chronically ill, queer disabled person living with complex mental illness to smash stigma and create change. You can find out more about Zoe on her website, or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Tik Tok.

https://zoesimmons.com.au/about-zoe-simmons/
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