Dealing With Disability
Do you know what it is like to have a disability? What if you have to be dependent on others because of a disability?
Many people have disabilities but they have got the same rights as you. Some people have a disability or a learning difficulty and you will not know by looking at them. That is why they have put in the Equal Opportunities Act, where employers have to abide by it and treat everybody the same.
But what if you were born with a disability?
When you are born with a disability, you do not know what it is like to be able-bodied. Depending on the depth of your condition, you may need to depend on your parents, your friends, or anybody who is around you. When this happens you are faced with limitations which you can not do anything. In my opinion, the hardest thing is watching your friends doing a task and you cannot do the task.
When you got a friend who has a disability, you may want to be aware of their needs and where they would need help with so they feel comfortable doing an activity.
How do you want to be treated?
When you are taking care of somebody, do you ever think what it would be like if it was the other way around? Some people get treated badly, and they are not able to speak and tell people about the issues.
How would you cope?
People cope in different ways: some tell their friend about their issues, some people do not want to think about being disabled because it does get you down. A person once told me this: “a uniform is like being disabled but only one difference… you can take the uniform off”. I sat there for a bit thinking about this, then I thought, it is not about the uniform, it is about the person in the uniform that counts.
Why do I get bullied for being like this?
People mainly bully people because they stand out from the crowd and you are the easy target. Some people do it because they do not understand why people are different from everyone else.
My name is Shaun and I have Cerebral Palsy. I do not let my disability in the way as I want to be as ‘normal’ as I can possibly be. I am 20 years old now and I have achieved so much:
• I have been very active in my community as a local volunteer
• I volunteer in Coedpoeth and District Care Group which caters from people with mental and physical disabilities
• I volunteer in the local luncheon club severing OAPs dinners.
• I have represented North Wales and North West England as a Young Ambassador for the Lions International
• I have been on a 5 day Tall Ship Voyage which I have overcome a few fears, e.g. climbing up the rigging, and helping docking the ship
• I volunteered in my local youth club and in the local Police Station
These are the main activities I have achieved along with many others.
I would like this article to be encouraging to everybody and not only people with disabilities.
‘Anybody can do anything if you put your mind to it!!!’
Related Articles:
Information Links:
Information » Money » Benefits » Disability Living Allowance
Information » Education » Special Education Needs » Funding Disability Benefits
Information » Sport & Leisure » Equality and Sport » Disability and Sport
4 Comments – Post a comment
GeoffCLIC
Commented 1 month ago - 18th January 2012 - 10:05am
Hey Shaun, good to see you writing such high quality articles for Young Wrexham, I don't know if I ever told you before, but you are an inspiration to me mate. My daughter has CP and she is a real bundle of life just like you. I am proud to have you as a friend and really pleased to see you getting involved with the CLIC family.
damianibbs
Commented 3 weeks ago - 27th January 2012 - 16:04pm
Im half blind so i cant see in my right eye. Do you think that i am disabled?
damianibbs
Commented 3 weeks ago - 31st January 2012 - 11:35am
I'm blind in my right eye if that counts.
damianibbs
Commented 3 weeks ago - 31st January 2012 - 11:36am
Most poeple are can see... some others are blind... and some are half blind.
What some people dont understand how lucky they are, Any one who can see are so lucky... But on the good side Blind Peolple have help, like a guide dog, human assistant and there white stick. Half blind people have difficaulties as well, e.g. they find it hard to do sports (ball activities etc.) and balancing. People Help These blind people to have a lot of fun by making a donation. It's not to late for you to make one to.
Thank you for reading and for your time,
damianibbs