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:
Personal Post: New Baby Incoming
I spent the last few days away from the city to spend some quality time with Everett before the new baby comes. We returned on Thursday to some news that baby might be in a weird position (keyword: "might") making things tricky for a natural delivery. Therefore, I will be laying extra low over the next week doing everything in my power to not trigger labour.
The plan is for a scheduled C Section. Everett was an emergency C in January 2015. It was a shocking and scary situation for me and I have increased anxiety regarding new baby's arrival. I'm doing my best to avoid stressful situations. We had a lot of visitors (family) with E's delivery and, in retrospect, I was not ready to socialize at that time.
This post is to let you know I might be unavailable over the next few weeks or months. I really enjoyed my down-time when we brought Everett home. Granted, life is busier now (career, building a house, rambunctious toddler) I ask that you respect my wishes surrounding said down-time.
Major concerns...
Major concerns for me include the health of baby during and post delivery, my physical and mental well-being and the transition home to our new family dynamic. I don't know how this new addition will impact Everett or how handling the stress of a toddler, newborn and rheumatoid arthritis (which tends to flare post delivery) will affect me and my relationship with Ryan and the kids.
People want to see the baby, especially family. I understand the desire to have a first look. As it stands: I, personally, will not be having visitors in my room at the hospital.
Here are some guidelines from the Ottawa Hospital regarding visitation in the Maternity Unit. If you are a family member thinking of visiting, you absolutely must read this: CLICK HERE.
“We know how exciting it is to have a new baby. Remember that the new mother is recovering from giving birth and learning to take care of her new baby. Make sure she has time to rest and enjoy her baby.
Consider visiting the new family when they get home instead of in the hospital. Some mothers ask the nurse to limit their visitors.”
If you are a family member hoping to visit at the hospital, I also request that you make Ryan your point person. I will not be taking calls or responding to messages for the first couple of days.