Friendship in Disability
Over the weekend, a friend of mine posted a rant online, and with their consent, I’m sharing my thoughts about it here. They talked about a friend who had “gone dark” to test if people would notice their absence. If no one reached out, the friend would "dump" those who hadn’t checked in. This behaviour raises many questions about friendship. Yes, sometimes it’s frustrating to feel like you’re the one always initiating contact, but life gets busy. My friend, for example, juggles work, raises children, runs a household with pets, and volunteers in the community. It’s not always easy for people to make time, even if they care deeply. A simple phone call or message—like saying, “Hey, we haven’t seen each other in ages!”—can go a long way. Starting a group chat is another great way to stay connected. However, for people with disabilities, especially those with ASD, ADHD, or depression, initiating contact can be incredibly hard. That’s where compassion comes in. This friend of mi...