Have you ever thought of the fact that the voting system is a neuro-typical system which alienates many different people with varying abilities.

I just want you to think about this….

If you don’t have to think of how you will be ABLE to vote, then this means you are privileged.

Neurodiversity is a concept where neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labelled with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, Tourette Syndrome, Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders, Bipolar, Psychotic depression and others…

As you may already be aware if you follow my blog that I have several illnesses, disabilities and learning difficulties. As a child my neurology was always in question, with early indications of being on the spectrum as well as being a massive contradiction with a high functioning intelligence but also several learning difficulties such as not being able to read at the appropriate level for my age, having Dyscalculia and experiencing sensory overloads. My interpersonal skills were weak as eye contact was not a strong point and I did not understand boundaries like other children. When you are seen as high functioning people do not understand your difficulties as they judge and label you; lazy, disobedient, delinquent and a trouble maker.

Read more about this HERE

Now lets get back to the topic at hand – voting.

Voting is a right which is great, many have fought to get this right from the white privileged male and won. However this does not mean that this RIGHT is made easy for everyone to obtain. My point is – many of us can’t even if we wanted to due to being neuro-divergent, disabled and ill; my issues impact all my voting options.

Lets me give you 3 examples on why it is impossible for me to vote in this neuro-typical system in the UK:

Voting in person: This is a NO for me due to my agoraphobia, C-PTSD, Psychotic depression, ADHD and OCD – the fear of people, open spaces, small spaces, germs etc… As well as experiencing extreme anxiety attacks and becoming detached and unable to hear and process information due to derealization and depersonalization Makes this scenario impossible for me to do.

Voting by proxy: This is impacted by my psychotic depression and Borderline Personality Disorder as my psychosis and delusional thinking, tells me this would be taken and used against me or that this is mind control. My mind become split and then I am trapped in a black and white world of confusion.

Voting by mail /online registration: When I am faced with forms I get something which is called sensory overload and sometimes it is so bad I pass out from it, plus I loose time regularly and get distracted on a loop for days sometimes due to ADHD. When I was able to have a social worker this would have been taken care of by them assisting me. However this service is not available to me anymore due to the area I live in.

If you would like to know more… follow this link HERE

“There is, however, an answer to this crisis.  The concept of neurodiversity provides a paradigm shift in how we think about mental functioning.  Instead of regarding large portions of the American public as suffering from deficit, disease, or dysfunction in their mental processing, neurodiversity suggests that we instead speak about differences in cognitive functioning.  Just as we talk about differences in bio-diversity and cultural diversity, we need to start using the same kind of thinking in talking about brain differences.”

(Source: http://www.institute4learning.com/neurodiversity.php)

Then there is the issue of voting in a system which denies your rights and leaves you to die as there is no help available, as I slip through the cracks with others; one wonders if these are cracks or specially designed filters.

Having been politically minded and active since a young age due to my French heritage and privileged education as a child and then going on to do politics, international relations and political philosophy at degree level, my awareness for the “political systems” has been of a high standard. Engaging with others to vote, political protesting, writing to MP’s and campaigning for civil rights was just the beginning in my 20’s, however as my situation grew more bleak and my interests in alternative politics and activism grew I decided after a long process to disengage with the “neuro-typical politics game” as well as the rigid patriarchal paradigm of “the ideal political structure”. Instead I concentrated on non-profit work, anarchism as a political philosophy and fighting each day to better the lives of people who are marginalised and stigmatised. This was my way of taking back the control which had been taken from me as a human being.

All I ask is that you think of this before you next judge the “non voter”, do not say things like “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about anything after the fact” as this is a further way to silence the unheard, the people like me cast aside through no fault of our own, for things beyond our control. Try and remember that ticking a box does not give you the right to judge others, especially if this is all you are doing to create change, think of the varied ways that a citizen of this planet could help, or make a difference.

Also shaming people for not voting is ignorant, you know nothing of another persons life and why they may feel disenfranchised or due to socio-economic /class structures has been shown their voice means nothing or does not believe in the powers that be.

How about before you write your next FB status which tells people who do not vote they are stupid, or you tell those who have decided to not vote (which is their right) to keep quiet over other issues; why not take a moment – hold back and think…

Is this really the best use of my time?

Do I know everyone’s life and experiences and what has led them to this decision which is theirs to take?

And could I be a better ally to those who have no voice?