My Child Does Not Exist for Your Inspiration (Special Needs Parent Sweatshirt)

There is nothing wrong with recognizing the inspiration that can come from the strength, joy and determination that people with disabilities have in facing challenges that are different from yours (they can be inspiring, just like anyone else). However, often people with disabilities are portrayed as being inspirational solely on the basis that they are doing normal everyday things while having a disability (i.e. "You are so brave for shopping for groceries when you have a disability, you are such an inspiration"). It comes off as pandering, it objectifies them, and is also dehumanizing.

People with disabilities do not exist for the purpose of inspiring able-bodied people (they have their own lives, and do not exist simply as an accessory to your life). Often when people say that people with disabilities inspire them, it inadvertently comes off as, "your life is so terrible, and must be such a burden, that it amazes me that you can even find the strength and joy to get out of bed in the morning and face the day and do normal things." For more about this perspective, and probably because I haven't explained it very well, adults should watch Stella Young's 9 minute TEDx Talk on YouTube (you may not agree with everything she says, but you will at least learn to see things from another perspective).

A sturdy and warm sweatshirt bound to keep you warm in the colder months. A pre-shrunk, classic fit sweater that's made with air-jet spun yarn for a soft feel.

• 8.0 oz., 50/50 cotton/polyester
• Pre-shrunk
• Classic fit
• Reduced pilling and softer air-jet spun yarn
• 1x1 athletic rib knit collar, cuffs and waistband, with spandex
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs and waistband

Size guide