And Just Like That... Woke with Jokes?
Sex and the City revival series And Just Like That… preaches ‘wokeness’ yet uses ableist language. In S1 E5, ‘Tragically Hip’, Carrie Bradshaw refers to arthritis as ‘Old Lady Disease’. I was diagnosed at 18 months and am sick of being misrepresented. My pain isn’t a joke.
I was diagnosed with ‘Old Lady Disease’, as Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) calls it, when I was a baby. Eighteen months old. I’ve been dealing with this ignorance for too long and it’s time for the world to wake up.
I’m cringe watching the HBO revival series, And Just Like That… as a former SATC fan. I know that all language can be problematic and, working in media, I get that there are bigger things happening in the world to get upset over.
When you have a captive audience - don’t do further harm towards a disadvantaged group while preaching ‘wokeness’.
Would Carrie have said that in episode one to her coworker who uses a chair? Would the writers or SJP herself say, ‘too bad about that old lady disease’ to a toddler on chemo puking their guts out to salvage tissue? I doubt it.
Below is a Twitter thread that I posted while catching up on the ‘Tragically Hip’ episode. I had to pause it to react, in the moment, on social media (as one does)… Let it be known that I am, at age thirty five, currently waiting on double hip replacement surgeries and a joint fusion/corrective surgery on my right foot. I had my left done at age seventeen.
“It’s arthritis, right? I have OLD LADY DISEASE in my back?” - Carrie Bradshaw on S1 E5 of And Just Like That…
@HBO @AndJustLikeThat do you have disabled people on staff? This language is hugely upsetting. I was diagnosed with RA as an infant, Hi!
This was one of my many, many intravenous drugs. Chemotherapy is a popular method of treatment to fight Rheumatoid Arthritis.
When you spend a significant chunk of your childhood in hospitals, you become well acquainted with the playroom!
Splints on my wrists were intended to keep my joints from deforming as I grew. I know they didn’t stop my range of motion from deteriorating. I have some deformities now as an adult, so I’m not convinced splinting works.
Juvenile (Idiopathic) Rheumatoid Arthritis patient (me) pushing my IV while out for a stroll in hospital. Ever try to get dressed when you’re attached to a pole? It’s not easy.
Carrie’s comments aren’t problematic to those who haven’t lived my life. Between chemotherapy, surgery, wheelchairs & chronic pain/fatigue, I also got heavily bullied for having OLD LADY disease.
Children get arthritis too.
You can’t take back those comments. They’re out there and echoed and echoed and echoed, reaching the ears of children who are very sick and tired and fading… More disabled people in media, please. PLEASE. I volunteer. I will consult with anyone (serious), for free, RE: ableism.
My whole life (like, til death) involves arthritis. It would be nice for people to accept that it’s not an OLD PERSON DISEASE. It’s rare in kids but it happens. I work in media & I want more representation NOW.
Note the swelling in my knees.
Using a wheelchair helps save energy and tissue damage. It also is helpful when I can’t walk.
My splints didn’t stop me from making the most of things!
At 35, I still use my wheelchair when I have tough days.
Arthritis has many forms. How anyone chooses to imitate, accept, react to any of its forms as they present personally or in someone close is fully up to that person. I’m not telling you how you should address the disease or it’s symptoms - I’m simply asking that you consider this diseases devastation to kids who already feel misunderstood, misrepresented and or ignored.
Here are some other things I’ve posted to educate people about autoimmune diseases and the misconceptions that create barriers in our lives:
#JadonandAnias: conjoined twins leading new, separate lives after 27 hour surgery.
I've been following the story of conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald since learning of their life-changing surgery earlier this month (Thurs., Oct. 13). The 13 month old twins underwent a 27 hour surgery performed by leading neurosurgeon in craniopagus surgery, Dr. James Goodrich, at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Their story is an unusual one and the decision to separate was very hard on parents Nicole and Christian.
“Twins joined at the head, called craniopagus twins, are exceedingly rare, occurring in one out of every 2.5 million births. About 40% of the twins are stillborn, and another third die within 24 hours of their birth. Studies have showed that 80% of twins joined at the head die of medical complications by the age of 2 if not separated. ”
Photos: Conjoined twins at the head prepare to be separated
Anias and Jadon McDonald were born conjoined at the head on September 9, 2015, via an unscheduled C-section. "They were normal little boys, like any other two little babies you would see," said their father Christian McDonald, "except for being conjoined."
-CNN Health
For those following the amazing story of #JadonandAnias, you'll know that they boys were successfully separated. They have begun their new life as independent beings. Jadon's breathing tube was removed this week allowing her mother, Nicole, to finally hold her baby in her arms. This is the first time in their 13 months of life that she has been able to do that.
Photos: Conjoined twins separated: Inside the hospital
Nicole McDonald holds her son Jadon for the first time. - CNN Health
Brother Anias isn't doing as well as Jadon (pictured above). He will have to wait a little longer to be held by his parents. Anias has been suffering seizures, breathing issues and dealing with heart problems (pre-existing conditions that have continued, but are being managed via medicine, post-op). Still, doctors are pleased with his progression and know that he will catch up to Jadon soon enough.
The McDonald family are not well versed in the internet and it's ways... So Nicole was absolutely FLOORED to see that their GoFundMe page had exceeded the family's hopes (they gave up everything and moved to the Bronx to be close to the Children's Hospital & Dr. Goodrich) and their story has captivated the world.
Best wishes to these two, their older brother, mom and dad. Their faith has kept them strong and modern medicine has given them a second chance at life. I can't stop searching the hashtag "Jadon and Anias" / #JadonandAnias. The updates have been inspiring and might add a little sunshine to your day. The world is rooting for you two!! Little miracle babies! <3