Monday Music - Born This Way

I first started thinking about using this song for a Monday Music last week after the comments made by Philip Davies in the House of Commons (he said that disabled people should work for less than minimum wage as they are less productive.)  People were tweeting how they were not worthless and it came to mind.  But in the end I tweeted a link to a video of Bruno Mars, Just The Way You Are.

Then it turned into a bit of a week when people make stupid comments about my disability.

First, earlier in the week someone was saying where the disabled loo was at the event and another person went "where's the normal one?" to be honest I found that kinda funny but she was totally and utterly mortified when she realised what she'd said and apologised repeatedly.  I'm sure she was much more bothered than I was.

Then on Saturday I asked someone "so... how are you?"  The gestured at my wheelchair and then went "well... better than you."  I said "I'm fine." and she said "I know you are"  That did make me want to roll my eyes but it's someone I know well who hasn't been at all well, who didn't look good and said it in such a stiff upper lip "mustn't grumble" type way that I understood and let it go.

A bit later I was out for a bit of a wheel and an acquaintance stopped me to ask if I wanted a push.  I said no and we chatted a bit.  We've known each other a few years but only on and off and really don't know each other that well.  Our conversation went a bit like this:

"How long have you been disabled?"

"From birth.  I've got CP the same as [a CPer we both know]"

"oh how tragic."

"What?!"

"Well you were whole and then there was an accident with your birth and now you're disabled"

"I'm whole now.  And anyway a lack of oxygen at birth was never gonna turn out well.  Better disabled than dead."

She got called away at that point which was probably a good thing.  I was very annoyed by that conversation.  Being disabled doesn't make me less of a person.  But I didn't lose it with her because I didn't feel I could and also I was shocked by the way the conversation had gone.  Now I've had time to think about it? Not happy at all.

I'm a sailor, a writer, a volunteer CAB adviser, a knitter, a friend, a daughter, a sister.  I'm messy, I'm opinionated, disorganised and loud.  I dye my hair crazy colours, spend too much time on twitter, read crappy fanfics and go to bed much too late.  I lose track of time reading too many books, like Doctor Who and want to start watching Grey's Anatomy again.  I eat too much chocolate and drink too much coke.  I'm learning to crochet and have piles of unused scrapbooking materials.  And yes I have both depression and CP.  And I use a wheelchair.  But none of those make me any less of a person who spends all their time on their own two feet.  The most important thing?  I'm me.  I'm Emma.

So for this week's Monday Music I'm sharing Born This Way.  Originally by Lady Gaga, this is the Glee version.  Mostly because the Lady Gaga video is really annoying (the song doesn't start for several minutes into the video) but also because, basically it's Glee.  I love the tops they wear too.

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M 

Just put your paws up 

'Cause you were born this way, baby 

My mama told me when I was young 

We are all born superstars 

She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on 

In the glass of her boudoir 

"There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are" 

She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe" 

"So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far, 

Listen to me when I say" 

I'm beautiful in my way, 

'Cause God makes no mistakes 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't hide yourself in regret, 

Just love yourself and you're set 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

(Born this way) 

Ooo, there ain't no other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Ooo, there ain't other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't be a drag, just be a queen 

Don't be a drag, just be a queen 

Don't be a drag, just be a queen 

Don't be! 

Give yourself prudence and love your friends 

Subway kid, rejoice the truth 

In the religion of the insecure 

I must be myself, respect my youth 

A different lover is not a sin 

Believe capital H-I-M (hey, hey, hey) 

I love my life, I love this record and 

Mi amore vole fe yah 

I'm beautiful in my way, 

'Cause God makes no mistakes 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't hide yourself in regret, 

Just love yourself and you're set 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Ooo, there ain't no other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Ooo, there ain't other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't be drag, just be a queen 

Whether you're broke or evergreen 

You're black, white, beige, chola descent 

You're lebanese, you're orient 

Whether life's disabilities 

Left you outcast, bullied or teased 

Rejoice and love yourself today 

'Cause baby, you were born this way 

No matter gay, straight or bi 

lesbian, transgendered life 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born to survive 

No matter black, white or beige 

chola or orient made 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born to be brave 

I'm beautiful in my way 

'Cause God makes no mistakes 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

Don't hide yourself in regret, 

Just love yourself and you're set 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way, yeah! 

Ooo, there ain't no other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Baby, I was born this way 

Ooo, there ain't other way 

Baby, I was born this way 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way 

I was born this way, hey! 

I was born this wayy, hey! 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way, hey! 

I was born this way, hey! 

I was born this way, hey! 

I'm on the right track, baby 

I was born this way, hey!