I Can Write but It’s Time for You to React

All men were created equal. This is what it says in our Constitution. Discounting the irony in which it doesn’t mention the 3/5 slave’s clause. This is otherwise a good concept. It essentially implies that no matter one’s race, creed, religious belief, nationality, or any other distinguishing characteristic in America, they should be granted an equal opportunity. I have written a blog, which discussed a little bit of a piece of landmark legislation known as the American With Disabilities Act. However, today while doing some early morning reading, I was forced to ask myself this question, “Have we come all that far?”

       This year on July 26, The Americans with Disabilities Act will celebrate 23 years. It is almost a quarter-century old. It’s almost at the point where it has to make a significant life decision and stop relying on mommy and daddy but has changed for people with disabilities since the Act? My argument is that on the surface, improvements have been made, but legislation cannot legislate a cure for ignorance.

       This morning I found myself being proactive as my aide was sleepily frying me some bacon. I was cruising several news sites. Yahoo is set as my homepage, but to get a fair and balanced view of what is going on, I purposely look at both Liberal and Conservative sites. However, I did not get very far. Those of you familiar with Yahoo’s format know that there are often several stories along with a slider on the page. Immediately, the first story this morning caught my eye. The original title of the article by Jordana Devon was “Second grader in wheelchair set apart from classmates in a school photo.” Myself being in a wheelchair, I was intrigued by the article. The first thought that went through my head was, “I can’t be reading this right! This is not the 80’s anymore! We have One Direction and not NKOTB on the top of the Boy Band scene. No way can say what I think it says.” So to make sure I was reading it right, I clicked on the article. Unfortunately, I was reading the article correctly.

       In an extremely well-written article, the Yahoo Canada blogger lays out a disturbing story. Jordana tells a story of a seven-year-old in British Columbia who was set apart from his classmates when taking a second-grade class photo. The little boy named Miles Ambridge can be seen in the picture, trying to strain his body to be a part of the group. Jordana goes on to explain Miles’s disability as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As she said in her article, Miles had been confined to a wheelchair ever since he was little. The report then gives readers the viewpoints of what Jordana would display as “heartbroken parents” in which the parents demanded a re-shoot of the class photo but were given the usual rope-a-dope-it’s-not-my-fault-response. It’s the other guy’s fault by the school and the photography company called Lifetouch. Before concluding her article, Jordana asks a very poignant question, “What do you think: Has this incident been blown out of proportion, or should the photo company be ashamed for its placement of Miles in the class shot?” Speaking from a disabled person’s point of view, I will say exactly what I said on the web page.

As a disabled individual, I do not believe this situation I being blown out of proportion. It is not the 80’s anymore, and we have legislation that guaranteed the disabled community to be given equal opportunity. Are we so messed up as a society that we teach our children so early to ostracize those different from us? By the looks of this photo, it is not the children who need to be in school but rather the adults. As Jordana quoted Miles’s mother as saying, “Kids can be cruel, but adults should know better.” Forgive me for saying so, Mrs. Ambridge, but yes, they should, but sadly they do not. The photo that your son was a part of clearly indicates a misunderstanding of difference. A misunderstanding that legislation will not correct. I am genuinely sorry for what you and your family were subjected to. I hope this incident does not jade you because while there are those in life who are intolerant of differences—those of us who are tolerant of differences far outnumber them. I am sure Miles is a great person, as can be seen by his beaming smile. I live in Northwestern Pennsylvania and would love to talk to you and your husband, along with meeting Miles, if at all possible. What you guys have gone through is ridiculous and sad, but I applaud your response to the situation whole-heartedly.

       As I said in my posting about the Yahoo article, what low Miles and his family had to go through is appalling, but it happens more frequently than one would like to admit. That being said, if Miles’s situation isn’t bad enough, there is yet another story I heard about this morning that enrages me even more. When I first heard about it, I could not even begin to blog because I knew if I did, I would be angry and vindictive. Also, my blog’s purpose would be defeated by my anger. After several hours of reflection, I was able to talk about the incidence that I watched and not exploded.

       As those of you familiar with Yahoo who are aware, if you read one article, they often have videos or links to other similar articles embedded within the item you are reading. Jordana’s article on Miles and his situation were no different. Near the end of the article was a video link that said, “Teens Steal Man’s Wheelchair On Long Island, Brag About It.” After reading the article on Miles, needless to say, I was in a mood to be aggravated. So I clicked on the video, which can also be found below. The video came out of Niagara County and a news organization there. It was of a News broadcast where a News Anchor was beginning a  story. Superimposed behind her was a picture of a wheelchair with the words “Wheelchair Stolen” underneath it. Quickly they cut to the main level. A man named Vincent had his wheelchair stolen from his home by a pair of 14-year-old boys. The boys, after taking it for a “joy ride,” admitted to dumping the heavy chair in a nearby bush. Unfortunately, it is believed that someone saw the chair and unsounded with it. This leaves Vincent in a predicament. Vincent is now forced to go around in a manual chair and be pushed around by his mother and others.

These two stories mentioned above not only irritate me beyond belief but re-emphasize the importance of education and advocacy. I am well aware that no matter where one goes, they will find ignorant people, but only through blogs like mine are advocacy groups such as United Cerebral Palsy. T.V. shows like Teal Sherer ‘s “My Gimpy Life” that a better understanding of disability will hopefully one day come to light. My goal in re-telling such horrible stories like this is to spark, you the reader, into action!

 As a disabled individual, I can be outraged and say how messed up these scenarios are, and it is my responsibility as a writer to do so. Still, you, as a reader, have responsibilities as well. It is only through acceptance of differences and your outrage at these situations that little boys like Miles may find a day where they are no longer ostracized for something they cannot control or help. Miles may be young and innocent now, but that innocence will not last long. He will one day realize that he is different, as many of us do. However, if society has changed even just a little bit by the time this young man reaches that age, then maybe he will not be ostracized for his differences but possibly celebrated. Then maybe young boys will think twice before stealing somebody’s lifeline to independence. I don’t preach very much, but that’s some food for thought.

 

 

Footnotes

1.) http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/second-grader-wheelchair-set-apart-classmates-school-photo-173243067.html

2.) http://mygimpylife.com/