Cryptophobia Explored

[jesse_the_k]

I'm glad WisCon introduced me to Haddayr Copley-Woods, who writes fiction and copy, mothers a couple of energetic kids, makes eloquent commentaries on Minn Public Radio, and bicycles through the winter in the Twin Cities. The last is made a little more unusual because she's got MS, and when walking lurches with crutches — she's fashioned a crutch holder from PVC pipe to tote her walking tools while she's biking.

http://www.copleywoods.com/haddayr for stories! blog! more info!

Haddyr's bike hack particularly delights me because it's functional and it blows up common assumptions. "How can a crutch user ride a two-wheel bicycle?" The answer illuminates why the USA disability rights movement has advocated "person first" language. Haddyr isn't a generic "crutch user";' she's specifically Haddyr, who uses crutches. She's got strong muscles in her legs and and she can balance a bike.

So I was thrilled when I clicked the first number of Disability Studies Quarterly and read about a blind person who rides her bike all around the planet during daylight when she can see enough.

Black Bike, White Cane: Nonstandard Deviations Of A Special Self
Catherine Kudlick
Department Of History
University Of California, Davis

begin quote Ever since I chose to use a white cane in selected situations, I've collided head-on with society's (undiagnosed) case of "cryptophobia" - my term for everyone's panic in the face of ambiguity. It might be the same angst many feel when they can't immediately determine someone's gender; as they search their data banks for clues - expected behaviors, dress, voice, gait, facial expression, body space - they overload if some detail doesn't come to the rescue in fixing the mysterious identity. quote ends

Cryptophobia is an excellent term for the perplexity many people display around disability. I suspect cryptophobia is the source of much "disability policing," when people feel the need to make sure those people on disability benefits are not "scroungers," that this woman taking strong narcotics for chronic pain isn't "abusing"; that this person with a learning disability isn't getting an "unfair advantage" from longer time to finish tests.

Do check out the rest of the Disability Studies Quarterlies. Each issue includes some creative non-fiction and fiction, book and other media reviews, and peer-reviewed articles. I can always understand at least one of the articles, and at least one leaves me scratch my ears, perplexed. All for free in HTML!

Comments

[rhivolution]

Thanks for those links, wicked interesting reads!

[meloukhia]

Disability Studies Quarterly makes me all wriggly inside. It is so, so fantastic.

And I'm intrigued by 'cryptophobia' and want to think about it more, especially with the ties you are making into how it contributes to expressions of ableism.

[jesse_the_k]

Indeed, cryptophobia might be the source for the uneasy anxiety some people display around visible disability. They've learned stereotyped reactions growing up — "help the handicapped" — and many people emanate nervous need to know how to act in the presence of an actual handicapped person. (I'm hoping that this experience is partially generational — there were only a tiny handful of kids with disabilities in my schools growing up, while younger folks have a very different experience.)

Anyway, if I'm right about this it might explain why my new-this-winter boots have been commented on by every non-disabled stranger I've encountered out of my house. And hey, I know they are exceptionally attractive footwear, but why haven't folks commented on my multitudinous hats?

[meloukhia]

I think it may also have a tie-in with less evident disabilities? I feel like some of the experiences people with non-evident disabilities have are also rooted in a fear of the unknown/sense of being 'tricked' when their disabilities are revealed (where suddenly the awkwardness/unease/not knowing how to act come out). It's not the same experience as having an evident disability in public, by any means, but there are definitely connections.

[vito_excalibur]

I like the term "cryptophobia"! People have a very strong drive to classify and understand, it makes sense that we get upset when that drive is thwarted.

[capri0mni]

Great article!

And a great word. It's even fun to say: "cryptophobia."

[polemista]

Aw, the story by Catherine Kudlick was so close to home! At times it was like she was writing about my life. I also have some of her magical skills like being able to know a book without really reading it, that made me laugh, I so know what she's talking about.

[joannkatana]

Thank you for this! I passed the link to her website along as well.