You will be relieved to know that I am not linking disability with the likelihood of being a terrorist. However, recent terrorist attacks and a knife attack a few tube stops from our flat, have made me think about the impacts of terrorism to disabled people. I wondered if anyone had considered this before, and did some research. It’s a very niche area, but I did find one study about the impacts of terrorism to vulnerable people (Eisenman et al, 2008). It found that several vulnerable groups, including those who are disabled, reported more worry and avoidance behaviours because of concerns about terrorism. I think I fall into that category.
The UK Government have issued guidance about what to do in a terrorist attack. It essentially says don’t play dead, run away and get yourself behind a brick wall. Since reading this and hearing about recent events, I have been very fearful. If I was caught up in an attack, would I be able to see where they were aiming to shoot? How would I know where is safe to run? What would a terrorist do if I told them I was disabled? If I tell them, are they less likely or more likely to kill me? Would it make any difference if I had a disability that people could actually see? These questions have been buzzing around in my head since Paris. After a knife attack in east London yesterday, it is clear to me that I need to have some kind of plan to ensure that I don’t die in an attack. I think I shouldn’t leave the house by myself if I can avoid it. This means that a ‘normal’ person would help to keep me safe if there was an attack. I hate relying on other people, feeling constrained and I (generally) like taking risks. But, there are some things even I don’t feel powerful enough to take on.
In a primarily inclusive society, I was surprised about the lack of guidance for disabled people in the event of an attack. I would really like some guidance issued by the Government. It wouldn’t just be of help to me, there must be plenty of disabled people asking the same questions. Fear can be paralysing, disabled people seem to be more fearful than a ‘normal’ person (given the results from the study above) about an attack. Don’t disabled people deserve to be just as prepared for an attack, and have their fears addressed as much as possible?
Stay safe. The next blog will be more light hearted, I promise.
disabilityandme.net 
This is quite an eye-opener. Thank you for raising these issues. I never thought about them before.
As an able-bodied person, it’s gotten me thinking what can/could I do to in the event of such an attack to ensure the safety of disabled people around me?
It is also something I will raise at work, to ensure the safety of disabled people who work where I do.
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You just made me cry happy tears!
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It should go without saying (or writing) that anything limits freedom in any way is bad and so how these attacks have made you feel is a bad thing. However I believe the issue to be one of balance i.e. between how taking remedial action in your case having to rely on someone ‘normal’ to help and the impact doing that would have on your own individual sense of freedom – is is a price worth paying giving up that freedom for something that in all probability won’t happen.
The awful reality is that you cannot have a plan to ensure that you don’t die in an attack – you can only like everybody else take reasonable precautions and even then that may not be enough
In the last few years as I approach a train to get on I have started to look around me and adjust my stance in case I am pushed from behind – often as I then take my seat I think to myself is that necessary/should i really be less trusting of my fellow travelers. We may all make small adjustments like this.
Disabled or Normal – Do not let fear conquer us
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We are all afraid of these dastardly attacks. It includes the able and disable people, as they do not know the difference. The secret, Ditpti is carry life out as normal.
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Dipti- this is a very true account of the increased fear faced by those less abled.. My brother has also been very agitated and anxious since the Paris attacks and fearful of using the tube. Despite trying to reassure him, reading your blog has helped me to see it better from his point of view as he isn’t able to express his feelings as well as you have.
I love this whole blog – it’s very insightful! Thank you for creating it! Hope you are well! 🙂
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Thanks Preena. I have loved writing it so very very glad to hear you are enjoying it and its great it has helped you to understand your brothers views 🙂 xx
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