In our university, there is a compulsory subject common to all streams for their duration of studies. Behavioural Science. Now in this subject we get out marks for a mid term exam, our journals, end of semester viva, and a SAP (aka Social Awareness Project). Now the reason for this is so as to have an overall development of the student. For this semester, and this post infact, the topic is "Sensitising Youth Towards the Differentially Abled".
The first time that we got this topic in class, half of us were, asleep.Barely paying attention. Though in the last week the amount of projects, movies and presentations we have seen I have atleast found a change in my attitude towards the differentially abled.
It is wrong for us to discriminate against them, make them feel as if they are lesser beings than us. Ofcourse neither should we pity them to an extent that it makes them feel morose about thier own condition, as it might only be a minute of our time, but they would feel like that for the rest of their life.
The need of the hour is to change our outlook. Give them just a helping hand, but do not make them feel they NEED it. Do not be proud or complacent about helping them, rather just think of it as helping just another fellow human. Nothing more, nothing less. A shift of this kind might actually remove the stigma in our society that dictates the end of productivity if one becomes physically or mentally challenged.
A poem which summarises it better than the prose above :-
A life born a little different from me and you,
does not mean their existence is any less true.
Do not treat them as a second citizen,
give them a chance they can be the President.
They dream and desire,
even they have passions burning like fire.
Give them a chance to show their skill,
you'll then see the true power of determined will.
They are not handicapped just differently abled,
to hell with this pratice of giving a label.
Einstien, Beethoven, others in thier field unrivaled,
to them their disability was a mere trifle.
Wake up! Embrace the wind of change,
because no matter what might be their challenge, the sky is the range!!
