Advertisement

Canadian amputee gets real for Disability Pride Month: 'Don't congratulate me'

Canadian amputee Allison Lang penned an honest message for Disability Pride Month on Instagram. (Photo via Instagram/allisonelang)
Canadian amputee Allison Lang penned an honest message for Disability Pride Month on Instagram. (Photo via Instagram/allisonelang)

Allison Lang is on a mission to break the stigma.

On Tuesday, the Canadian amputee and disability advocate took to Instagram to pen an honest and moving message alongside a fitness video for Disability Pride Month, which takes place in July.

In the clip, Lang, who was born without the lower half of her left leg, performed barbell hip thrusts, deadlifts and overhead presses in a workout studio. The words: "If you see me working out, please don't congratulate me. I deserve to move my body too," appeared on the screen alongside her sweat session.

In the caption, the athlete and public speaker opened up about living with a disability and how her life should be the same as those who are able-bodied.

"Disabled people don’t need to be congratulated for working out. Or for doing anything in our day to day lives. This feeds in ableism and the expectation that we cannot do these things. It makes us feel unwelcome," she wrote. "Being disabled isn’t a bad thing. Nor is disabled a bad word. Instead, say nothing because we deserve to be in these spaces just as much as you. Imagine a stranger saying 'congratulations' or 'you’re so inspiring' for just doing everyday things. It would make you feel pretty out of place, wouldn’t it?"

In the comments, fans praised Lang's transparency and thanked her for speaking out about such a powerful issue.

"Love this! This is super important. Thank you for being so real and for opening up about such an important topic. Let’s treat everyone equally! People are people no matter what you look like!" commented a follower. "Also, you’re absolutely killing it in the gym."

"Feels! When you go to a gym and people congratulate you, like what?" said another disability advocate.

"Killing it!" wrote someone else alongside a fire emoji, while another added: "Facts on facts on facts."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.