Is it okay to laugh at our own disabilities? In some cases, yes. When humor about disabilities is tasteful and good-natured, it can help us relieve some of the tension that often surrounds sensitive topics such as disabilities and handicaps. Our tendency to avoid potentially sensitive subjects is simply human nature. And topics such as disabilities and terminal illnesses are no different. However, it is often the subjects that we are most hesitant to discuss that are most critical for us to explore. No matter how hard we may try to downplay the realities of disabilities, either out of awkwardness or out of concern over political correctness, disabilities have a real impact on our daily lives. Disabled persons, whether they are a loved one, a co-worker, a supervisor, a family member or a complete stranger, deserve to be given the same level of respect and acknowledgment as anyone else.
Humor is humanity’s way of broaching difficult subjects, such as disabilities, in a way that relieves tension. While some jokes about disabilities are meant to shock or offend, the best humor—including humor about disabilities—helps us explore truths in everyday life that are difficult to explain by other means. Humor helps us connect with others by recognizing the thoughts, emotions, and questions that we have in common about a particular subject. Humor also plays an important role by illuminating acknowledged and unacknowledged prejudices, fears and anxieties while taking a stance that is neither discriminatory nor accusatory. Humor allows us to work out pent up frustrations, celebrate unsung triumphs and own our disabilities in a way that is empowering and affirming.
We’ve included our Disabilities Humor subcategory as part of our Health directory because we believe that having a good laugh is important to good health. Laughter is the best medicine for whatever ails you. For those who have reached a certain level of acceptance with their disability or the disabilities of those they know, humor can be an important part of continuing or initiating crucial conversations.
Take the websites you’ll find here with a grain of salt—and allow yourself to laugh. You deserve it.