"What's the first thought that comes to your mind when you see a girl sitting in the college library with a book in front of her??? Do you ever wonder if she is able to read or not?? Because if you do, then I'm sorry to say this but the fact is that you might have a good eyesight but you surely lack a vision”
-4th November 2016
This morning, I woke up to this post in my Facebook memories and all I could do was wonder about what to think because what I described here is quite similar to something that happened to me a couple days ago, and not so surprisingly, at the same institute. And not just a random institute, but a very reputed government college of Amritsar.
If you know me personally, you would know that I have a visual impairment that makes it a little difficult for me to independently walk around without falling down. To solve this, I prefer to use a white cane and be more in control of my situation as well as because I value my freedom. Mostly, people are curious when they see me and some even ask why I use a cane but there is always someone who asks such questions which make me question the whole societal preconceptions of disabilities and disabled people.
The incident in question, I went to my old Alma Mater after about 3 years for some admin work and, of course, I had my trusted cane with me. This person who has a history of being just an overall nasty lady to everyone under the sun looks at me and exclaims "Ye kya kar liya hai apna haal?!! (What have you done to yourself?!!). Now trust me, I was dressed normally, wearing my dark shades and cap and holding my cane, just minding my own business and this woman reacts like I grew horns. Now you might think, maybe she doesn't know I have a disability, but she does, because during my college days, she took every chance she got to make the easiest tasks complicated for me just to prove that she could.
Why am I writing this? Well, technically, I am supposed to get hurt when someone makes a snide comment about my disability or reacts in a way that demeans my identity to just a condition but I no longer feel that way. What I feel is a complicated mix of sadness, anger and frustration because these people are supposed to be educated, they are supposed to support people irrespective of their abilities to be better for themselves but instead, they make things harder than they already are.
As a mental health professional myself, I can't get over the kind of damage such words could cause for someone who is already barely holding it together and fighting with themselves every step of the way. They are figuring out how to live in a world that is not equipped for them and their needs. Please be mindful about how you talk to people around you, any people. You do not know their story, you do not know who they are. It doesn't take much to be a decent human being.
U r completely right in ur opinion that some people don't think before they speak so I want to give an advice that don't give a damn to their shit because I know that as a human being u r much more nicer n wiser than them n these people who tease u can't match ur level of understanding other people so believe in yourself because a person is defined by his or her talent n not by a physical disability.At last I want to say that I will always be with you ur secret well wisher❤️
ReplyDeleteTwo Kangaroos were travelling through the forest of Australia and fell into a pit unknowingly. The pit was really very deep making it impossible for kangaroos to bring back themselves up.
ReplyDeleteSoon many other kangaroos gathered around the pit and considering the odds they told those two kangaroos that they were as good as dead. They stayed there shouting that every attempt to climb back is in vain and are as good as dead.
One of the kangaroo tried really very hard but hearing the comments of other kangaroos eventually gave up and died there. The other kangaroo kept trying even though the other one had died and made the ultimate made a jump outside the pit.
The kangaroo thanked everyone for their constant motivation. All other kangaroos asked that how did their words were motivational to which the kangaroo remained silent. Kangaroos figured out the kangaroo was deaf and thought of their words as cheers to his tries.
So what I understood from this story was sometimes you need Ignore your own Senses in order to uplift yourself! Never ignore people just ignore your senses who acknowledged their presence!
Now everytime when you want to ignore someone, just become selfish, think for your upliftings and remember this story.
Also allow your humour to diffuse such comments and use it to inform&teach..
DeleteYou are a gem of a person, one of a kind. Don’t let anyone or anything dull your sparkle..
Motivational quotes n stories doesn't make any sense if one is strong from inside... and I know u personally u r full of self respect , confidence and above all u have vision how to tackle adverse or unfavorable situations... life is like that.. keep moving
ReplyDelete