We are taught from a young age to treat others the way we want to be treated. We are taught to treat others with respect. I remember my mother reminding me to never point or laugh at anyone who looks different than me. Yet, peoplestill continue to be ignorant towards people with disabilities.
Treating them differently doesn't equate respectfully. Despite being just as American as the rest of us, in this country, people with disabilities aren't given the same opportunities. When is the last time you saw a person in a wheelchair as a news anchor? They are "searching for representation... in media" (Mairs 13). Or you saw a person with disabilities working as manager? Due to differences in their appearances compared to ours, disabled people are automatically deemed as less intelligent.
These are the same people you will see complaining about people with disabilities getting the blue lanes for closer parking. Suddenly when disabled people receive amenities, ignorant people think they should be treated like any citizen would. This hypocrisy is absolutely ludicrous as it leave disabled people at a complete disadvantage.
However, personally, I have always loved observing and talking to people with disabilities. Despite the challenges they have to face in their day-to-day life, some of these people are so genuinely content with their lives, enjoying every moment of it. They don't seek empathy or assistance, just equality. They have a gayish spirit, which we will never understand, the ungrateful teenagers we are. Their spirit is truly inspiring to me, and we all should be more understanding to the fact that all that people with disabilities ask for is equality.
Treating them differently doesn't equate respectfully. Despite being just as American as the rest of us, in this country, people with disabilities aren't given the same opportunities. When is the last time you saw a person in a wheelchair as a news anchor? They are "searching for representation... in media" (Mairs 13). Or you saw a person with disabilities working as manager? Due to differences in their appearances compared to ours, disabled people are automatically deemed as less intelligent.
These are the same people you will see complaining about people with disabilities getting the blue lanes for closer parking. Suddenly when disabled people receive amenities, ignorant people think they should be treated like any citizen would. This hypocrisy is absolutely ludicrous as it leave disabled people at a complete disadvantage.
However, personally, I have always loved observing and talking to people with disabilities. Despite the challenges they have to face in their day-to-day life, some of these people are so genuinely content with their lives, enjoying every moment of it. They don't seek empathy or assistance, just equality. They have a gayish spirit, which we will never understand, the ungrateful teenagers we are. Their spirit is truly inspiring to me, and we all should be more understanding to the fact that all that people with disabilities ask for is equality.
