Kindness shown is never forgotten
Hello everyone it’s Betty; you here may know me better as Lady Elizabeth. I’m a disabled kitten and that is what I wanted to speak about today. It has been quite sometime since I have been out and about in our community. I wanted to take a moment to talk about my experience with the chateau as a disabled kitten over these past years; almost 6 now. A little background on me. I became a member of The Chateau in November 2014. I was #22. (I’m very proud of my number) Goodness has a lot changed since then. I have had many many diagnosis which seems to be how I measure time now. Over 30 hospital visits, hundreds of doctors appointments, and countless diagnosis. Time had flown by.
Disabled isn’t a title I have identified with my whole life. I have no stigma against my limitations or disability anymore. It’s not a bad word. It perfectly reflects the fact that I’m not 100% able bodied anymore and that I occasionally need assistance.
With my time here I have always been amazed with the inclusivity and kindness shown to me. When I became a member I was young and free. I had just met my boyfriend (now husband) and I had just began having problems with my health. Thought I have always been sickly it didn’t effect my lifestyle the way it does now. It started with trouble swallowing and vertigo at 14, then headaches and heat intolerance when I was 20. I didn’t let this effect my social life back then I still went to all the chateau events I could go to, both in and out of state.
Unfortunately It quickly escalated to fainting multiple times a day, being bed ridden and hooked up to an IV more often then not. I slowly scaled back going only to a few events a year. Till it became none at all. On the rare occasion when I did show up to events and parties though no one made comments of the medical devices I had to wear or the monitors I was hooked up to. I made people around me aware of what to do if something happened. People asked the occasional questions which I was happy to answer. The group made sure I was comfortable and included. No one made a big deal of the fact that I could no longer drink, dance, of be tied up and hung from the rafters. I was amazed at the inclusion I received. It was to no lack of support that I went underground. I just became to ill to leave my home; too ill to participate in most things. Including my own life sometimes.
Except for the occasional outing with my husband or bump into Isibella I went from a member of Chateau high society to a lonely bed ridden patient. The hardest part is not lack of support in our community. Of all the groups I am apart of the Chateau had stayed a constant. I found when I became ill that most people are fair weather friends and they not so slowly disappeared, but the Chateau was always right there if I wanted to reach out. One of my dreams was to manage events. Though I only got to help with a couple of Chateau events because of my illness I’m very thankful to Isibella for the opportunities presented in helping with the events of earlier years. From preforming shibari, kitten monitor, to time keeper, I have had my time in the sun.
As I slowly make my way back into this group of amazing and supportive women the hardest part is not my disability or my limitations because there are few limitations with the support I have received. The most difficult is becoming a member of the community again. Learning to be comfortable with myself, my disability, becoming comfortable around people again, and finding different ways to be involved in the group then just social gatherings and modeling. Possibly behind the scenes work or event management assistance were I so lucky to once again be a pillar of chateau society, but at the very least once again a chateau kitten of high court.
I hope this article helps show anyone with a disability thinking to join us or someone already apart of our community hiding a disability that doesn’t believe they or their disability can be apart of our world because of their limitations YOU CAN! We are not just models basking in the glory of beautiful things, youth, and bubbling champagne. We are an international group of women with similar interests lifting one another up not only online but in the real world. With this being said I know that I have a lot of new kittens to meet now that I’ve emerged from my solitude and self isolation. I’m excited to re-engage with my fellow kitten and vampires once again.
Illness has shown me while beauty and health may not last forever kindness shown to others will.
It’s so beautiful to hear about how kind and inclusive this community is! You’re very strong for pushing through all your obstacles and still seeking out community. Excited to see from you in the future!
This is a very beautiful article and I really hope one day I get to meet you at an event! You are a very strong person and this article makes me very happy as I also have health conditions of my own that I struggle with. I love that everyone makes sure you are still apart of the group when you are out at events it warms my heart very much. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.
I love this so much it brought tears. I have a have my own issues as well that limit what I can do or affect my ability to go out often. This makes me feel much better about going to events in the future when I’m more able. I’m so glad we’ve been able to find a family like this one.
You are such a brave and lovely kitten I hope that we can help make you feel even more comfortable within the community. I hope I can meet you one day! I would love to hear your stories.
Your story is so touching. I am extremely happy to read about the diversity that is truly celebrated and encouraged amongst all of us which is what brings us together and makes us stronger. Your perspective is one that should be highlighted more in a manner to show what everyone CAN do and how we let ourselves fly and flourish. Lovely. I do hope to meet you <3
This bought a twat to my eye, what a moving article ❤️ this speaks to how strong and resilient you obviously are…like a phoenix this really does speak to the wonderful sisterhood that we have here. Much love to you
Wow. This is so encouraging. I’m glad you’ve found support here. Your journey, there are no words for it, I’m sure. But, I’m glad you’re here.
I’m glad to know that you feel so welcome and included. I have some autoimmune issues myself and it’s lovely to hear that everyone is so supportive. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your powerful story x
This is a beautiful story. I’m really happy that you were able to have such a good support system in the kittens