Handicaped Siblings Suport Thread

[newfoundland]

I think the difference is that the term handicapped means prevented from doing something. I mean you hear people saying, for example, 'I would love to get a job but I am handicapped by having 3 young children.' Disabled on the other hand usually means that you may not be able to something in the standard way. So a person in a wheelchair may be disabled by stairs, but can still gain access to a building using a ramp/lift. It's a very fine point I know but I believe it challenges the able bodied to see things from a different perspective.

I agree that it is very upsetting to be stared at by people and I don'r blame anyone for feeling angry. It's a horrible enough experience for any parent to be coping with profound disability, without hearing ridiculous comments from people who are clearly entirely ignorant. I would say that anyone who believes that disability can be communicated to others is rather intellectually challenged themselves. I believe that raising the profile of people with disabilities and bringing everyone out into the community, can only improve matters. When my mother was young, children with disabilities were hidden away, never went to school and were looked after by the family, until parents grew too old and then they went into institutions. My children however, went to school with children with disabilities and as adults now they are very comfortable with mixing with all types, and abilities, of different people. I can truly see the value of an open society.

 

[Spookwriter]

The truly handicaped are the people who can not
accept another person as they are.

My wife and I have supported the our local Special
Olympics for the last several years. I look forward to
it and make it a point to keep to that date open. Not only
to support it financially, but to be there to clap and cheer.

That was a big thing in out last halloween, that we were
handicapped accessible...those that could not walk were
driven through on a golf cart. For some of those people,
it was a first time.

There is young boy, Jared, in my daughters class in a wheelchair.
Been classmates since kindergarden. As they graduated sixth
grade this year, they had a party. And I watched with my own eyes
as the other boys would carry Jared up the stairs on their backs so
he could slid down the waterslide.

He is their friend.

He is their friend in a wheelchair.

So if you ask me...the people with the real handicap are the
ones who can't others as they are.


Spook...who once had a sister