I am constantly amazed at how our society has such a double standard for PWD (people with disabilities) .
On the one hand, our society encourages independence, self reliance and "pulling oneself up by the bootstraps" - apparently even if your arms are paralyzed. On the other hand, society refuses to acknowledge the fact that our physical limits need to be accommodated before we are able to participate in life.
Our society says it wants us to work. But there is still job discrimination, lack of access to necessary equipment and a tendency for employers to view accommodations we need as stemming from a sense of entitlement. This continues to result in very poor employment figures for those with disabilities and lower wages.
Our society says it wants us to be independent. Yet some of us are forced into senior housing or, even worse, nursing homes because we cannot afford the help we need to live on our own. In addition to the shortage of available aides, many people with disabilities are not able to pay enough to attract decent help, which results in neglect.
Some people then blame the person with a disability for not being able to take care of the situation. How ridiculous this is when society itself continues to place barriers to good employment in our way - and then wonders why we do not have the money to pay for good help.
This response also sidesteps other issues. It may be a way to rationalize or excuse the fact that, shamefully, our communities no longer look after those with disabilities. Sadly, people feel they are too busy to care for the most vulnerable among us, thinking that someone else will do it.
There is no shame in needing help with physical limitations.
The shame is in the failure to respect human life and the failure to afford the basic care that one needs to live a life of dignity.
Our double standards serve a useful function to many, albeit a dysfunctional one - they prevent our society from dealing with the reality that we have failed to address issues facing those with disabilities adequately enough for them to manage to live in the community independently. Government programs have begun to address these needs, but the gaps that remain leave PWD with inadequate care and resources- at least until more PWD have access to better jobs.
Let us pray that our communities will better recognize ways they can show compassion and support as those of us with disabilities go through these growing pains and take our place in society .
6 comments:
Well said. You've summed up the situation accurately and succinctly.
interesting reflection.
God bless
Maria
ww.inhishands.co.uk
The problem is that people seem to separate religion from action in our country. They go to church but there has been a shift from helping each other to less involvement with neighbors. It's also true that someone who has not had a disability doesn't understand the harsh reality of no aide - no food to eat that day. I think this is a very appropriate subject to post about since it increases awareness and I think most people would be open to learning about how they can help their neighbor on a blog like this.
The shame is in the failure to respect human life and the failure to afford the basic care that one needs to live a life of dignity.
I agree. It's very hard for us to put out there what our needs are when we get "shamed" and criticized for it. Many of us including myself then just struggle behind closed doors and shut up. But that doesn't make the problem go away.
I'm glad goldchair emailed me about this post. I don't comment usually but here goes. I'm trying to work but employers don't like it if I have to ask for a ramp or an accessible bathroom. It costs them money. After spending months rolling down the street in the winter to use a bathroom somewhere else, I left one job. I was promised the bathroom would be made accessible but it never happened . couldn't deal with the snow and ice and get back to work and be productive.got another job with less pay and they fixed up the bathroom.felt like I negotiated a smaller salary to get the accommodation to be honest. Now the salary doesn't cover enough. As for getting help in , forget it. I have no money left for that. I eat at my Mom's, she cleans what I can't reach - I do the rest and I don't know what I'll do when she's older. But we have to hang in. I hope people understand we want just what they have - a decent job and pay, access to bathrooms and homes, stuff like that.
This post needs to go the the Letter to the Editor of every major newspaper!
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