Growing up I had the privilege of knowing my Uncle Mike. Mike had a very tough life. I won't get into all of the details, but just know it was a rough life. A life that most people would complain about. Most people would go into a depression and use these awful events as a crutch: not Mike. I never remember hearing Mike complain. If we went to eat somewhere, we always got to pick. I'm certain he had preferences, we all do, but he let us choose. We normally picked Pizza King so he was probably cool with that! :) Mike had Schizophrenia and lived in a group home for the time that I can remember of his life. (He didn't always live in a home, but he often did.) He seemed to like his group homes because there was always something going on. He liked playing cards and watching t.v. with everyone. I'll never forget him telling my mom and I once that he felt bad for us because we had to deal with everyday stress and he didn't! Can you imagine? He felt bad for us! Isn't it interesting to see another person's point of view? Now, equality. People were not nice to Mike. He was "different" so he didn't deserve their respect. Where are the groups fighting for handicapped people's rights to respect and equality? I know they've made leaps and bounds, but there is still work to be done.
Monday I had the chance to speak with Jason, an employee at my local King Soopers (Kroger with a weird name). Jason was a little slow, but he was a super nice guy. He was wearing a Nuggets jersey and I was wearing an IU shirt (what's new?!) so we talked sports. The Nuggets are doing well in the playoffs and he was excited. We talked the Colts, etc. It was a nice conversation. I love to talk sports. As I exited the store a manager approached me and told me that he watched my interaction with Jason and wanted to thank me for being nice. I told him I wouldn't know why anyone wouldn't love to talk with Jason. He said that I'd be shocked at how many people complain that they allow handicapped people to be baggers. I wanted to throw-up. How dare people complain about that?! How dare they? I quickly told the manager that I applauded them employing Jason and that he was top-notch. Where is our equality there, folks? Jason is handicapped it is ok to treat him as less than human?! That's not ok.
I do not tell you any of this to pat myself on the back for having a soft-spot for those with mental or physical handicaps. I do not need any pats on the back. What I do need is for people to see equality for all people really does mean all people.
End of rant. Thank you.
1 comment:
Very nice rant, I agree completely. Publix employs many handicap people (including my sister-in-law) and I think it's great! Most of the customers agree, but there are definetly those out there who don't. I just don't get it!
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