Reflections (27 March 2008 Meeting)

The meeting was really a fun and enjoyable one, coupled with fruitful discussions that really broadened my view. The most significant question that impacted me was, whether the disabled really wanted us, the public, to view them in such a special light, giving special attention to them, treating them like abnormal people, people different from the crowd. Do they really want to be separated from the majority? Do they enjoy hearing words of sympathy from us? Do they want to be given special treatment, to be different from the crowd? For myself, I personally wouldn’t want to be treated that way. Caring and sympathizing for them is definitely good and humane, but overly caring and sympathizing would have a negative impact instead. There is no need to give them that special look whenever we see them. There is also definitely no need to point fingers at them and think about how pitiful they are. They are also humans. To be treated differently by your own species, your very environment, the people around you, is not a matter to celebrate or feel proud about.  In this case, striking a balance between caring for them and overly caring is important. The easiest method would be just to let them into our society, no need for red carpets and trumpets, but just with smiles and friendliness, like how you treat others. Just don’t over do it, or it will turn into discrimination.  Xiao DongXD

~ by archfire on March 3, 2008.