Two children, both born with the same brain injury, both with the same prognosis. One ends up profoundly disabled, quadriplegic, legally blind, unable to even hold a toy in her hand, and unable to eat so she has to be fed with a feeding tube. The other walks, talks, and does all the things other kids her age do.
What is it that disables a person? Is it their diagnosis or is it disbelief and discrimination? Emma is quadriplegic but she won a dance contest. Her sister was so clumsy she broke her own arm in two places and, for four years, never won a fight. But she never once threw in the towel and ended up at the martial arts world championships.
Unintentional Exclusion: A new handicap parking space but a bicycle rack blocking a wheelchair's path to the restaurant. A handicap accessible bathroom at a university but can't get to it because of five steps. Is there something you don't know about in your life that is a barrier to the disabled?
Some compare Emma against themselves and she comes up lacking. Others compare where she is to where she was and she comes up an example. Others see her example and marvel at where she will be tomorrow. "but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." King James Bible - 2 Corinthians 10:12
Some say it can't be done. Some say I'll try. Some say I don't know how. Some say what if I fail? Others don't care what others say and persevere until they overcome. Which are you?
How far would you go to steal from the disabled? It may be a convenience to you but to a person in a wheelchair it means waiting until you return so they can get into their vehicle.
Freedom isn't Free. It's paid for in blood by the sacrifice of others. I have a friend and fellow veteran who survived Pearl Harbor. He has friends who didn't. Many have paid that price so the rest of us may be free. How have you used your freedom and what have you done to honor their sacrifice?
What have you done to teach your child about the disabled?
God may have the whole world in his hands but, to the severely disabled child, you are the world and her future rests in your hands. What have you done to make the world a better place for her?
They say when you die you see a light at the end of the tunnel. I've already seen that light, in a disabled child incapable of hate, greed, violence or lust. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all like that?
Some achieve through skill or talent. The disabled achieve through determination, perseverance, and strength of character. Kinda makes you wonder, is it they or we who are the disabled?
We had an experience with the "steal from the disabled" We have a wheelchair van that has a sticker that CLEARLY says "This van has a lift. Please leave room" and someone parked right next to us. Mom backed up the van far enough that we could use the lift
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that happened to you. people need to listen to those type of signs. i just want to let you know that i'm Hope. The sister of Emma. i figured i would respond to your comment. 9 years later.
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