This short piece took me weeks and two readjusted deadlines to write.
Because of fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue that comes with it, I can’t work as much as before my symptoms started getting worse in 2024.
But instead of surrendering to shame over ‘not working hard enough’, I’m rebelling against a capitalist system which tells us that queer disabled people aren’t enough unless we push ourselves to be productive.
Lady Gaga, who found herself unable to perform due to fibromyalgia, faced claims she was “being dramatic, making this up, or playing the victim” to get out of working. She chose to tackle this misinformation herself through interviews and the documentary Five Foot Two.
I’m choosing to show myself the compassion everyone deserves. Especially because you too may be experiencing disability – perhaps even without realising it.
Disabled, queer and Trans+ people have long been denied recognition of our support needs, or validation in our very identities and experiences. Like many identity intersections, being multiply marginalised as a disabled and queer or Trans+ person layers up the ignorance and prejudice we experience.
On top of that, many of us are struggling with being deeply, unshakeably tired.
As well as being fatigued by certain disabilities, millions of us who are also queer may be indirectly depleted by facing “everyday oppressions” in multiple aspects of our lives.
Western society in general is muddling through a high spike in fatigue, which has come to typify widespread cultural crisis.
Though new approaches to supporting disability in work aren’t yet radical or intersectional enough, the need is being noticed.
Gaga’s story has boosted public awareness of less visible disabilities, and the exhaustion of living with chronic illness and fatigue.
The tiredness so many of us are feeling is also recognised as a situational disability.
This knowledge could, and should, open doors to a more compassionate, responsive approach to work capacity, and more effective flexibility around mental and emotional wellbeing.
Currently, employees are largely responsible for disclosing disabilities, and asking for reasonable adjustments at work.
This won’t help repair how capitalism defines success: by how well we can make ourselves fit into our jobs and workplace cultures. By our willingness to sacrifice integrity, even basic wellbeing, or otherwise ‘out’ or apologise for ourselves.
I pushed and harmed myself like that for decades, yet still felt I wasn’t enough.
Even otherwise privileged people in high-paying jobs are increasingly using paid time off for fundamental needs like sleep.
If we instead viewed all matters of wellbeing as needing situational support, everyone’s health could be treated more equitably, with enough flexibility to look after ourselves and find our own healthy balance between working and living.
The National Institute of Health has given guidance on enabling mindful rest that prioritises self-care practices and supports healthy productivity.
It’s not an easy equilibrium to strike. I know this from my own life.
But if we take it on, as individuals and with support from employers and authorities, we could begin to bring our best to our work from a new foundation of radical compassion.
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