06/06/2025
We love Kaelynn and the work she has been doing to support autistic people!
Apparently, it’s national donut day…and seeing that reminded me of this “radical” (at the time) paper about autonomy and dignity for disabled people.
The idea was that people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are CONSTANTLY being micromanaged in ways that other adults aren’t.
For example, many work or reside in settings where they have to ask permission for a snack, or “earn” the right to choose what they eat based on whether they followed their behavior plan.
The paper basically said: if you want a dozen donuts and a nap, that’s your right. You don’t need to hit a milestone or finish a life skill worksheet first. Over eating and midday naps may not be the “healthiest” or most “productive” choice, but it’s yours. And making questionable or impulsive choices is part of being human. We all do it.
The author talked about the dignity of risk, which means everyone deserves the right to make their own decisions, even if they’re not perfect ones. That includes disabled people.
One of the best lines basically said, “Support staff are not moral gatekeepers. You’re not there to decide what’s good or bad for someone—you’re there to support their choices, even if you don’t personally agree with them.”
So now every time I see donuts, I think about how something as small as food can represent something huge: autonomy, choice, and being treated like a real adult. Not someone whose preferences get second-guessed because they need support.
Everyone deserves the dignity of risk… glazed, sprinkled, or powdered sugar-coated. 😅💖
