bog hag

The dragon age fandom :

Pocket service-dragons like OP said, trained to monitor vitals and blood sugar. They’re good at helping people with cardiovascular-type problems, epilepsy, diabetes and asthma. All the dragons require in return is permission to hoard pocket lint in caches around the home.

A different, slightly larger breed of dragon will sit on the shoulders of those who are Deaf and/or blind. They’re probably about the size of a crow. These ones act as guides and signed language interpreters, and are able to communicate in more code (or a fantasy equivalent) by tapping with their claws. Plus, they’ll breathe fire at anyone who is being an ableist piece of shit.

Fantasy hearing aids that are part magic, part tech. They mould around the ear in whatever shape the wearer wishes (bonus if they look like serpents or vines with a silver sheen) and, if not being used, can coil around a wrist or finger. (Do you have any idea how many times I’ve almost lost my aids bc they fall out of pockets or get misplaced??)

If the wizarding world of JK Rowling gets wingardium leviosa, then fantasy can totally have magically enchanted supports - walking frames, crutches etc - that come to the person’s aid when needed. Also, levitating charms? Clothing that supports the wearer so that a lower-limb amputee can whisk around places? Just think about Doctor Strange’s magical cape.

The literally limitless possibilities for prosthesis, including having a character stand on their flying prosthetic foot in order to fly/levitate, prosthesis that remains awake while they sleep and can defend them in the night, prosthesis that looks completely real but is just packed with compartments, prosthesis that functions precisely like a real limb and is directed normally by the brain, invisible prosthesis, magnetized steampunk prosthesis, limb prosthesis that is basically a floating hand/foot with the limb between missing- like, can’t be touched missing,

A full menagerie of mythical beasts that can serve as service animals, up to and including keeping the soul in the body while waiting for healers to arrive so that the heart can be re-started much longer after it has stopped beating. Some mythical birds were said to steal nightmares and fly away with them as well.

Horse-sized intelligent dragons used as mobility aids

Chariot/chair/wheelchair mobility aids that levitate and/or move quickly

Emergency communication devices that will alert the other holders of a crisis with location and specifics even when you’re is unconscious, such as with epilepsy or passing out from low blood sugar

Hearing aids/glasses that not only aide impaired hearing/vision, but also allow the user to hear/see in other specified places in the world

Magical devices that stimulate dead nerves in cases where a limb goes dead, reducing the need for amputation

Similar magical devices that straight-up reanimate dead limbs, so that you can leave your arm lying around and still use it when you walk away (so much plot opportunity, SO much)

Magical capsules you can swallow that give you lots of healthy energy, which can be used for various disorders that lead to fatigue but can also be used as a first aide to aide healing of wounds/illness

Pill cases that remember what you need to take and what you’ve actually taken and WILL get in your face if you’ve forgotten

Capsules or spells for cleanliness that reduces the need to bathe for those for whom it’s difficult

House plants that release chemicals your brain SHOULD be producing so that you breathe it in- possibly in conjunction with medication that helps to regulate so you don’t overdose on serotonin what you’re trying to sleep

Plants you can eat that will literally replace your compromised immune system

A ritual that will take a magical 3D photograph of your current physical condition, and, if you’ve taken one, you can use this complicated spell to have your physical body go back and become exactly what it was at that point- like a computer backup. 

I totally get your point. In a world where complete restoration is possible, a lot of people, maybe even most people, probably would choose that. I personally think there are many that wouldn’t, especially among those who are born with disabilities (but then that delves into the possibility of the parents having the fix done anyway, it’s the same ethicality of gene editing babies–is it really morally okay to fundamentally change somebody when they can’t consent?). I can’t relate to physical disabilities but if I had the opportunity to magically rid myself of my disassociative disorder or my trauma, I wouldn’t. They’re part of me.

But my main point is: fiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In our world, disabled people exist, and representation is important. Even when perfect solutions exist in fiction, that means actively erasing real people and their struggles. It’d be similar to making fiction based on a species of lizard people that are all the same color and shape. Where’s the diversity? Where’s the representation? Theoretically you could do it because it’s fiction but it’s unkind to marginalized people, ya feel?

I respect your acknowledgement of your disabilities being a part of you, and I understand for the most part; I consider my shyness and awkwardness in real life an endearing and fundamental trait of my personality. But part of the reason I always go on and on about the wonders of psilocybin is because (apart from the completely mystical and spiritually enlightening part of the trip) during my first ever mushroom trip, on the comedown/afterglow I felt so clearheaded in a way I’ve never felt before or since, like I could go up to anyone and be able to talk to them about anything. Not only did I suddenly completely understand the subtle nuances and methodology of conversation, I felt incredibly charming and charismatic, like the version of myself I imagine when playing out conversations in my head, like the person I’ve always wanted to be.

So my older brother has DMD (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), and if you don’t know what that is look it up, but essentially, your muscles deteriorate until you die. Unlike mental disorders (or shyness which is a personality trait so I’m confused about that example), like @roaminc gives as an example, this is not a disability that can be lessened by drugs. This disability takes and takes, and medication simply slows this process but it can never be cured.

Some wounds can’t be healed.

Some genetic mutations, muscular diseases, neurodivergencies cant be “fixed”. Even with magic.

But it’s easier than having to research. It’s easier than having to build more into an already large pretend world. Hey, build complex pretend ecosystems involving dragons, fungus, and selkies but fucking enchanted hearing aids or some kind of magical prosthetic that doesn’t ‘cure’ but helps? That’s just too much.

I used to notice this but it never really bothered me. Until I had my oldest son who is autistic. Let me tell you something; DO IT. Take the time to add disabilities to your world.

Do you not see the character reception for Toph from Avatar the Last Airbender, or General Amaya from The Dragon Prince? You wanna know why?

People want diversity. People want to read about characters like them - even if it’s just a minor character. You can argue with me till you’re blue in the face but let’s be honest -

If you do the research and talk to real people affected by different things, you can make a character that at least one person can relate to. If you include even just one more person with your writing, I think you should try.

So I’m replaying Origins, and when I witnessed this convo my mouth fell out

You just KNOW that when the court tailor consulted with Empress Celene’s ~occult advisor~ to get her into some “proper clothes,” Morrigan just wracked her brain for Leliana’s Orlesian fashion advice from TEN YEARS AGO. (But if you watch her entrance carefully, she’s still wearing the same boots from Origins!)