You can’t teach children social inclusion. I believe that the opposite of social inclusion is social isolation and I feel like that the sad reality with a disability is that more often then not they know the social stigmas of social isolation rather then that of social inclusion. I continue to write this blog to help educate others. I try to write what I know, I try to write from my personal perspective of life with a disability life with cerebral palsy. I know I have written about that photograph that was found from my days in elementary school, I wish I had it scanned but I will do my best to describe it. It was a school event there was small groups of children participating in whatever the event was. All but one, a child who sat off by herself in her pink wheelchair – that child was me. Despite the best efforts of the adults to encourage social inclusion from my peers, social inclusion is not something that can be taught. Over the years I have tried to understand what caused the social isolation from my peers? Is it that there seems to be social stigmas that surround childhood disability and the byproduct is social isolation? Or is it because the parents of my peers worried that their kids would get pneumonia as I had it many times? Fact is social isolation sucks. It creates a harsh reminder that because of my disability I am somehow different, and that in itself I believe is one of the social stigmas we need to overcome, it is one I am hoping to dispel within my blog because the fact is yes my life is different then that of most. The sheer nature of how I have to do things because of my disability that in and of itself shouldn’t be a reason for social stigmas that I face. take for example the idea that walkers and wheelchairs are for the old or sick who came up with that? That is the social stigmas I am talking about.
I enjoy life with cerebral palsy and the chances I have had because of cerebral palsy. with those opportunities also come challenges. It is hard for me to find work because of the cerebral palsy. employment seems to be hard for the many adults with cerebral palsy I know through my blog. cerebral palsy and life with cerebral palsy has given me the chance to share and hopefully remove those social stigmas because cerebral palsy and life with cerebral palsy isn’t all who I am I have much to offer the world because of cerebral palsy
Yes, you definitely do have a lot to offer the world. With this blog you are in a sense removing the social stigma that surrounds disability by speaking so honestly and passionately about your life with CP and issues that concern you most. I like that the way you tell it does not always paint a pretty picture of what your life is, but it is sometimes also very positive. You tell it like it is, and that is what society needs.
I think the key word you mention here is “different.” I know I tried to hide my CP growing up because I didn’t want to be different. Little did I realize we are all different, in one way or another, and our differences are what make us who we are. Perhaps teachers and parents need to focus on everyone’s differences so disabilities don’t seem so scary to kids.
You nailed it, Laura. I think society has brainwashed kids into thinking you must be a certain way or be an outcast, in of story.
this made me smile thank you!