People with disabilities live every day with the same challenges that we face but with additional limitations. I do not think that people realize what those with disabilities must endure. People with disabilities wish they did not have any limitations, but most have learned to live with their disability and strive to make the best of each day and each challenge. I would hope that we as a society, a community, a culture, a church family, a college, a work place, a hospital, a doctor's office, a restaurant, a hotel, an entertainment arena, a school or other facility would realize share in treating people with disabilities with the dignity, respect, fair and equal treatment and patience they so deserve. People with disabilities are people with may limit them or challenge them. However, they are still people.
They get tired of the stares, the under the breath comments, the wondering if they are disabled or not, resentment that they get privileges because of their disability, jealousy from a small pocket of people who wish they could enjoy the "privileges that come with being disabled", unfair treatment by family and friends because they may be embarassed or the "tolerance" that people try to show because they have to wait in line a little longer or stand for an extra 30 seconds while a disabled person tries to get to his or her seat.
We should be grateful and thankful for not having to endure that they must endure. We should also hope and pray that we must never face the unfair treatment that people with disabilities must face each day. It is challenging for the families and friends, but it is more challenging when you are the person that needs to be helped and rely on others to have the common sense and humane dignity to remember how to treat you. I think people act before thinking and some do not even take into consideration the insensitivity of their behaviors or choice of words. Some do not care. Others feel it is not their problem. Many see that person as a stranger that they may never see again. A change in the way we think must begin today. People should recognize that any person could be faced with the same limitations and challenges, without notice and unexpectedly.
People with disabilities just want to be seen as people first. They require all of us to treat them as we want others to treat us. I do not think it is hard to achieve, but difficult for those who feel no obligation to be courteous and thoughtful about their own actions or choice of words. Life is journey that may lead down a path that you never planned for. So, I say to every person willing to listen to be more attentive to how you treat a person with disabilities the next time you see one. We should recognize that we have imperfections, limitations and challenges and no person is exempt from anything.
Be blessed.
