By Kyle Dinwiddie, PRC-Saltillo Blogger
Whenever I meet someone that is going to college, I usually ask them what they are studying. I also ask what school they are going to. However when people learned that I was going to college, they asked, “Oh! Are you taking online classes?”
Why is this always their first question? This has been boggling my mind for some time now. Do they think online classes are the only choice I have? One person asked if there was some kind of special needs college. This made me scratch my head. I don’t know! Is there a special needs college? I know my mom is going to the college with me as an assistant, but come on!
People mean well, but often say very hurtful and offensive things to people with disabilities. Sometimes they ignore you, and talk to the people around you like you are not there. Many times they compare you to someone they know with a similar disability and try to encourage you that the person they knew lived until they were 26. I did not realize physical disability was a death sentence. Sometimes it is not words, but instead looks or actions. For example waitresses don’t bring me water or a menu, choosing to treat me like the invisible man. Wow, I wish I could be invisible sometimes for fun. Move over Kevin Bacon, there’s a new invisible man in town.
I understand that disability can make people uncomfortable, and they may not know how to respond to us. Here are a few ideas of how you can treat a person with a disability. Speak to us directly like a normal person. And if we are non-verbal, that does not mean we have the intelligence of a cucumber. Be patient if we use a communication device. Let us answer instead of guessing. Give us a chance to respond in any way we are able. Look at us. We are not contagious. Do not push us in a wheelchair without asking first. And for goodness sake, STOP patting us on the head like a dog. I know I like to pee outside sometimes, but come on!
If you want to help, ask if we need help, and listen for a reply instead of making a scene overly trying to help when it is unnecessary. The last thing I want is to make a scene. I would rather blend in and just be part of the group. Look at the person, not the wheelchair or device. Don’t say I am an inspiration when I did not do anything to earn it. We are just exactly like you with all the same needs, wants, and desires. If you give us a chance we may turn your life upside down. We have a lot to offer. BTW, any 19-20 year old eligible ladies feel free to HMU.
But seriously, I am just like everyone else. I buy Fruit of the Loom underwear. I can vote. What is the difference between red and yellow? What is the difference between black and white? What is the difference between special and normal? We are all in this together.
I see so much fighting over these simple differences. We need to unite together like America should be. We need to stand up for the weak and together be the strong.
This is Life with Kyle and I will talk to you next week.
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Life with Kyle - disability, inspiration, college, rights, aac, communication