It has been a wonderful week in so many ways, and looking at my schedule this coming week, there are a lot of great things going on here in East County that are worth talking about. I received such a warm welcome at the Home of Guiding Hands annual gala this year.
It has been a wonderful week in so many ways, and looking at my schedule this coming week, there are a lot of great things going on here in East County that are worth talking about. I received such a warm welcome at the Home of Guiding Hands annual gala this year.
Along with the many other organizations in our area that have the heart to uplift and create a better quality of life for those with developmental disabilities, I applaud them for what they do on a daily basis and these large fundraisers are a huge part of how they continue to provide this quality of life.
But it does not stop there. As we have covered extensively, the need to fund and support these organizations on a daily basis is crucial to the well being of the organizations and the people of all ages that they serve.
We throw the word disabled around in many forms. Some are politically correct and others are derogatory in nature and intent. I see it all the time in very many ways. What saddens me the most about this is that in many cases, people do not even realize that they are talking down, or around a person that has other needs. I have many friends, and family members that have some sort of disability, but I do not consider them disabled. A very good friend of mine taught me many years ago that people are not disabled, they are not “bound” to a wheelchair, and many of the other callous sayings we throw around on a daily basis.
I have taken her words to heart and in dealing closely with people that have a disability that they deal with every day, they are not disabled, but rather, they are otherly abled. Just because they cannot do the same things we do physically, or think in a different brain wave than most of us do does not make them disabled. In many cases, their brain functions are so much faster than us “normal” people, I am astounded at their wit, intellect and strength to not give in when most of us would give up.
Many times the words we use are not meant in malice and I will be the first to say that we are way too politically correct these days to the point that you have to worry about every word you say. But at the bottom of this language conundrum lies the simple fact that every person, regardless of their physical appearance, speech, eccentric ways, color, beliefs, political leaning, whom they choose to love and what they choose to do with their lives, there is one thing that makes us share a common bond. We are all human, we all have feelings, and we all deserve respect.
So if you are a person that is not accustom in dealing with otherly abled people on a regular basis, be aware that behind that disability is a person with heart, love and in most cases, a lot of courage. Do not talk down to them, do not ignore them and speak to the normal person that is with them, and by all means make it a point, even if it is only a couple of minutes, to see beyond the disability. I guarantee you that you will find a wonderful person that could very well be a phenomenal friend that will change your life forever. I know my otherly abled friends have changed mine.
