Disability Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more”

-Robert M. Hensel

“Disability” is defined by many people with different personalized interpretations. The English dictionary states that disability is: “A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.” This, however, is different than how I see disability. To me, no matter the physical or mental state of a person, one’s capabilities are only limited to the mind. A disability doesn’t define you, it doesn’t make you who you are. It only makes YOU more unique.

However, I have met so many amazing people who are “disabled”. Though some are more  physically/mentally challenged than others, they achieve so any amazing things. Take young Madeline Stuart for example. She lives in Australia and has Down syndrome. In 2015 she made her debut on The New York Fashion Week catwalk. At only 18 years of age, Madeline became the world’s first ever Down syndrome professional model. Her goal is to “change society’s perceptions of beauty – one photo shoot at a time”.  As she explained;

“I hope through modelling I can change society’s view of people with disabilities [and use the] exposure to create awareness, acceptance and inclusion.”

-Madeline Stuart

To me, she is such an inspiration. All I see is another reason to love the strength that a community can offer. She is defying the stereotypical idea of the term “disability”. She is showing society that she is capable of more than what they think she can.

Most people think of disability as a negative thing to live with, but to me they are just regular people. Disabilities that are physically restricting don’t always affect the mind. Take the late Professor Stephen Hawking as an example. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which impaired his physical abilities. However, his physical impairment never hindered his ability to be great. He was theoretical physicist, a cosmologist, an author, and director of research at the Center for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. He was a world renowned scientist who’s been praised for many years, with many years of praise to come, too.

 

I can personally connect to this topic. My uncle was born with Down syndrome and autism. He was incapable of doing “normal” things such as talking and potty training until he was 9 years of age. He, however, is a very smart little boy. He can understand English, Swahili, and ASL. His spirit is gentle, that when he smiles, your heart melts. When I look at him I don’t see him for his disabilities, I see the little boy who loves to jump and eat cupcakes. His disability is in the eyes of the beholder, but to me he is my Uncle Scott.

Physical inability isn’t always easy to deal with, but just look at the amazing participants of the Special Olympics. Many of the participants are physically challenged but through the power of determination they have accomplished great things. In the 2017 Special Olympics, Paige Norton competed in two events and won a gold and silver medal for Canada. In 2016, Shane Haddad won Gold for Canada. Since 1983, Haddad has been an advocate for the intellectual disabilities community, just as his family has been. Both people are amazing no matter their “disabilities”: they have accomplished much with no regard to the social stereotyping of the disabled community. They put aside what society says they can’t do. They’ve proven they are more than capable of achieving great things.

All these people have something in common: disabilities. Yet I see accomplished, amazing humans who have denied society their stereotypes. They are capable of great things. Disability is in the eyes of the beholder. I choose to see someone without a wheelchair or without autism because, to me, they are people. They are human. They are ABLE.

Seeing disability is a choice. Choose to see the person inside, not the disability on the exterior.

Let me know what you think in the reply below. Thanks for reading 🙂

~ Pam. S