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Chapter 6: "We Take Care of Our Own": Talking about ‘Disability’ in Early Modern Netherlandish Households by Barbara A. Kaminska

Introduction

In this chapter, Barbara A. Kaminska provides a comprehensive examination of the representation and perception of disability in early modern Netherlandish households. She draws upon personal narratives and historical documents to highlight how societal attitudes and family dynamics influenced the experiences of individuals with disabilities. The chapter references poignant experiences shared by disability rights advocates such as Harriet McBryde Johnson, who illuminate the societal inclination to express unsolicited pity or admiration towards disabled individuals, reflecting a misunderstanding of their narratives and identities.

Public Perceptions of Disability

Public Sentiments

Many non-disabled individuals operate under the assumption that people with disabilities inherently desire a cure for their condition. As a result, unsolicited comments frequently arise from such misguided beliefs. Johnson, in her narrative, illustrates instances where people approached her with unsolicited pity or admiration, revealing a societal trend that often views disabilities through a lens of stigma or something that needs to be rectified or prayed over. This inclination represents a lack of understanding or acknowledgment of the identities and lived experiences of disabled people.

Cultural Framework

The cultural backdrop of early Netherlandish society significantly influenced conversations about disability. June Eric-Udorie’s experience of living with nystagmus, a visual impairment, serves as a case study illustrating how discussions regarding disability often lacked honesty and transparency. This reflection reveals how deeply entrenched religious beliefs positioned disability as a divine defect or punishment, which hence required some form of ecclesiastical intervention or healing.

Historical Context

Kaminska situates the understanding of disability historically within Greco-Roman mythology and the narratives found in the New Testament. The biblical mandates calling for compassion towards individuals with disabilities are analyzed, yet Kaminska argues that these narratives simultaneously cultivate discrimination against those exhibiting visible disabilities. This complex relationship underscores the paradox of public moral obligation and private disdain.

Contradictory Reactions

In early modern society, there existed a juxtaposition where individuals often exhibited public compassion towards disabled individuals while simultaneously harboring private contempt or judgment. This contradiction highlights the multifaceted views of disability at the time, complicating familial and social relationships.

Artistic Representations of Disability

Visual Arts as Discourse

Kaminska emphasizes the role of art as a subtle medium for discussing disability, where artists depicted themes such as the Seven Works of Mercy, which illustrated societal obligations to assist those with disabilities. However, these artistic representations often stigmatized the subjects simultaneously, portraying them in a manner that emphasized their disabilities rather than their humanity.

Conversations on Disability

Through the lens of visual arts, Kaminska suggests that art acted as a conversation starter within households and communities, shaping identities and social expectations surrounding disability. Early modern concepts engaged in a dialogue that generated both compassionate and critical perspectives on disabled individuals, illustrating the social tensions present in conversations about ability and disability.

Early Modern Definitions of Disability

Fluid Definitions

The chapter advances the notion that the early modern period lacked a uniform or coherent definition of disability comparable to contemporary understandings defined by frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities Act. Researchers such as Steven D. Edwards articulate that disability encompassed both physical impairments and societal dynamics, compelling families to contend with both medical and social challenges, particularly in terms of caregiving for disabled relatives.

Language and Disability

Terminology of Disability

A critical analysis of language reveals that terms such as 'cripple,' 'lame,' and 'deaf and dumb' were prevalent in literature and art of the era. These terms reflect a fundamental societal suspicion and discrimination against disabled individuals, with a tendency to equate disability with moral or personal weakness, ultimately associating these terms with deceit and inferiority.

Consequences of Language

Kaminska notes that the language surrounding disability has historically carried biases that mirror societal prejudices, many of which persist into modern language. For instance, proverbs in various cultures perpetuate negative stereotypes about disability, reinforcing stigma and misunderstanding.

Domestic Spaces and Disability

Home as a Site of Care

The chapter discusses how families with disabled members navigated domestic spaces, emphasizing the need for control over privacy in caregiving roles. Kaminska explores how the responsibility of caring for disabled relatives was not only a personal commitment but also a moral and social obligation embedded within the structure of early modern households.

Miraculous Healing Imagery

The presence of miraculous healing imagery in domestic settings reveals societal aspirations towards restoring health and social standing for family members with disabilities. However, Kaminska critiques this trend as idealized and frequently unattainable, casting a long shadow over many disabled individuals' realities and reinforcing harmful societal expectations.

Concluding Remarks

In the concluding sections of the chapter, Kaminska reflects on the convoluted history surrounding the discourse of disability. Although there has been notable progress in understanding disability, stereotypes and ableist language remain pervasive. She advocates for a re-examination of societal conversations about disability, urging a shift towards more nuanced discussions that recognize the lived experiences and diverse identities within the disability community, moving beyond mere representation to a more inclusive understanding of disability.