Understanding Disability Using Spoon Theory

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Disability inclusion expert Bethany Berry explains what the ‘Spoon Theory’ is and how understanding it can support employers to make workplaces more disability inclusive.

Understanding Disability Using Spoon Theory

Spoon theory is a disability metaphor that can help people understand the daily challenges of living with a disability or chronic illness. It was created in 2003 by Christine Miserandino, an American woman living with lupus, as a way to explain her limited energy and capabilities on any given day. Since then, the theory has spread globally and resonated with many in the disabled community in the UK as an insightful tool for explaining their experiences.

What is Spoon Theory?

Spoon Theory associates a person’s energy and capability to complete tasks to a limited number of spoons. Each action, task, or part of your day requires a certain number of spoons, which will only be replenished by rest.

People without disabilities or illnesses may start each day with unlimited spoons. But someone with a disability or chronic illness will have less to work with, typically 10-20 spoons per day, on a good day!

Once the allotted spoons are used up, that’s it for the day. Small tasks like getting dressed may take three or more spoons for a disabled person, compared to someone without a disability. A meeting at work may use five spoons, where someone else spends just one.

People quickly learn to ration spoons to get through priorities first. But it often means sacrificing social activities and fun. This can mean that people with disabilities or chronic illness may cancel plans at the last minute or may even appear anti-social to a degree.

“Spoon Theory reminds everyone that accommodations and adjusting attitudes are still vital so that disabled people can fully participate in society without unfairly depleting their spoons, and not feel like a burden.”

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After learning about the Spoon Theory, David learns that he can manage his chronic illness by working from home. He's smiling and happy at his home working desk.

Why Spoon Theory Resonates with the Disabled Community

While originally an American concept, Spoon Theory connects with the over 14 million disabled people in the UK. It provides a simple concept to get across the tough choices and energy limitations they face daily. While friends can grasp someone being “too tired” to go out after a long day, equating it to spoons helps drive home that exhaustion is their baseline. It’s a constant reality of living with disability and illness.

Spoon Theory is now commonly referenced in the UK online disability community and media. Many share their “spoonie life” experiences and support each other in coping with limited spoons. It provides a sense of solidarity and understanding for the disabled.

Importance of Increasing Disability Awareness

Spoon Theory is an important concept, as it highlights the extra thought and effort that disabled people expend just to get through an ordinary day. Even with progress in disability rights and inclusion, lack of awareness persists in the UK. Spoon Theory reminds everyone that accommodations and adjusting attitudes are still vital so that disabled people can fully participate in society without unfairly depleting their spoons, and not feel like a burden.

While just a metaphor, Spoon Theory elegantly gets across key disability experiences – isolation, loneliness, constant problem solving, hyper vigilance, energy rationing, and obstacles able-bodied people take for granted. It builds empathy and understanding in a simple way. The theory’s emergence in the UK shows its relevance and power to connect the disabled community. Spoon Theory is an imperative tool for increasing disability awareness and inclusion countrywide.

How Inclusive Employers can help with disability inclusion?

Our Disability Guide is a comprehensive resource that can support you to embed disability inclusion.

Our experts have written a range of disability themed blogs that cover topics including disability recruitment practices, understanding disability and mental health and Accessibility in the workplace – a practical guide.

You can also talk to us directly for support tailored to your organisation. Members, please get in touch with your account manager and non-members get in touch to find out what help we can provide.

Use our bitesize toolkit to host conversations about disability inclusion

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Do you need more support for your inclusive culture to thrive?

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