The Pity Model: When Good Intentions Miss the Mark
Description
We often hear about the medical and social models of disability — but there’s another one quietly shaping attitudes toward people with chronic illness and disability: the pity model, sometimes called the charity model.
This model positions people as tragic or brave simply for existing, creating distance rather than connection. It can show up in fundraising drives, well-meaning comments, or systems that treat support as generosity rather than rights.
In this episode, we unpack how pity disguises itself as kindness, how it impacts self-worth and inclusion, and what it takes to move from sympathy to solidarity.
Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)
MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)
But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)
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