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we're all trying to compare disability to other 'categories', for lack of a better term, and yet it seems to be harder than simply equating disability to homosexuality, for instance. i think that maybe the concept of disability, though it may divide and potentially limit in the same way, is different because of our personal relationship with disability. each of us will most likely, one day, be disabled, as someone mentioned in class. even if nothing tragic, sudden, or otherwise drastic occurs to disable us, and even if we are born 'perfect' (loaded term, i know, bear with me), the toll of living for an extended time will get to us, we will age, our bodies will deteriorate, and we will no longer have the abilities we have now, in our 20's, wherever those present abilities may fall on the proverbial spectrum. this being the case, i think that part of how we relate to disability is not just in comparing people to a societal norm or even ideal, but in comparing the potential for our own disability to our ability - what is the norm for us. realistically, there is no chance (that i know of) that one day i could wake up black or a man. i never have to think of 'being black' as a potential future experience of mine. realistically there is a chance that one day i will have lesser abilities than i do now, potentially even drastically so. this is a key way that i think disability is separate from race/sex/etc. yes, one day you could be in a different social class, but this is not permanent, and the american dream promises that we will always be able to move upward and forward if we just try hard enough. this same attitude does not exist with disability. even if some levels of disability are transient, there is not the same 'you can fix it if you work hard enough' attitude - its out of your hands. even being gay, enough people still debate the nature/nurture, that i doubt the 'average' straight person goes to bed and thinks they could rather conceivably be gay outside of their control tomorrow - there is still a perceived mutability/choice involved. disability is a potential for everyone, and let's be honest, not something that people look forward to, or even want to accept as a possibility always. you're young, your body works great, your mind is sharp, and nothing will ever happen to that right? even if you start off squarely in the abled category, someone mentioned gattacca, it doesn't mean much in the long run. i'm sure that has something to do with our attitudes towards disability.