sweetschizo:

I think the biggest argument for using identity first language (”I am x”) instead of person first language (”I have x) isn’t just that sometimes it’s impossible to clearly separate a diagnosis from who you are as a person, but that you shouldn’t have to be able to clearly separate the diagnosis from yourself to prove that you’re worthy of respect and compassion.

It’s not just that I can’t realistically separate myself from my diagnosis, it’s that I shouldn’t have to do it for people to be able to acknowledge my worth. 

When I say “I am x” I am not saying “I am only x” and if that’s that you hear, then that’s on you for thinking x negates my person hood and that it thus has to be clearly and comfortably separated from who I am as a person for you to fully see me as a person. 

Saying “I am x” is a rebellion against that presumption. 

I am x and I am a person. 

Stating the first doesn’t negate the second.