Why can't people deal with disabled people?

Question

Why do people not even acknowledge the disabled?

Answer 1

Because they are afraid of the unknown... I have a child with down syndrome

Answer 2

Because they have a picture in their mind of what they think disabled is. Most picture are the extreme of disabilities.
There are more then 100 disability. And sometimes you think someone has one and it another. Every so often I hear of a new disability.
Each person responds differently, have different ability.
Which make the mystery of finding their gifts in life well hidden.
As people came to know people with disability they learn they are just like everyone else. Have their likes and dislikes their gifts and short comming

Answer 3

Maybe that's because (normal) people and disabled people live in different worlds. Many people do not have the same life experiences as that of the disabled people. It all depends on what type of environment normal people are in. Some can blend well with the disabled whereas others do not. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I live in rural America and I think the disabled are accepted and treated appropriately in my area. However, perhaps it is the unknown that most people back of from. Not knowing what the disabilities are or how to deal with those disabilities and do not want to take the time and energy to find out--their lives are to busy to do so. They "need" to think on their own lives/ problems. My opinion

Answer 5

People acknowledge me. Maybe because I smile at them and talk to a lot of people. I still dont think of myself as being disabled. I just cant walk any more, but I still get around. People are kind to me and very helpful. I do see, now and then, someone who looks at me as though I bother them. I say a prayer for them. Maybe they're afraid they might end up in a wheel chair some day and it scares them.Doesnt matter, those people are in the minority.

Answer 6

Perhaps there is a feeling "they cant participate in whatever we are doing, so they arent one of us"?

A lot of people seem to think the disabled do nothing, have really boring lives , are uneducated, bad things dont happen to good people, they must have done something stupid or criminal to cause them to become disabled, we have nothing in common so why should I talk to them, what if "its" contagious, what if they want me to feel sorry for them, or ask me for something, like money?

A lot of people are just uncomfortable around disabled people. They dont know if they should offer to help or what to do so they ignore them.

I dont know if its "intentional" or thought out, people ignore other races as well a lot of the time, as if "they are different, what would we have in common, what if I insult them without meaning to".

IMO people who ignore others, whether its because of race, or disability are afraid of their own ignorance. Many people are uncomfortable having to step outside their box, they live narrow little lives and they like it that way.

And every country, every society has its own beliefs and prejudices and stupidity when it comes to the disabled and less fortunate.

Answer 7

I didn't realize I had a disability until I was diagnosed a few years ago. I'm kind of angry that I was forced to fit in for so many years as if I just had an attitude problem instead. I didn't even realize my ex-wife had divorced me because of it. I think many people are forced to live normal lives when they can't really cope with all of the pressures. I have read that many people are Bi-polar and go undiagnosed for many years or life also. Our type of society places too many demands that can burnout even the best of us sometimes. So, consider the source?

Answer 8

I agree with icarus62's comment.

Your question seems to be a gross generalisation. Where I come from, people with a disability seem to be acknowledged quite well here in Australia . Apart from the very small minority who display bigotry (which still IS a form of acknowledgment) - everyone is generally OK with people with a disability out in the community.

May be you could be more specific in your question?

Answer 9

I think it has something to do with being reminded of our own frailties. Some people see a disabled person and all they can think of is how easy it would be to become disabled themselves; a chance accident, getting sick, whatever. Others, I think, just become confused. Should they offer to help? Will an offer to help be taken as an offense? Is not offering to help offensive? Am I staring? Is it obvious that I'm not trying to stare? So on, so forth.

I don't have anything to base this on; it's just what I imagine some people who have trouble dealing with disabled people would think.

Answer 10

hmm...i've had great response from ppl like at school and stuff in my case. of course, i havent gotten in2 the "real" world yet...but ppl seem to be a lot nicer than in high school. haha.
but yea, i do get what you mean. im not sure y ppl are like that..its not really fair nor is it right. i guess its just maybe their scared to talk and interact with ppl with disabilities. i mean, i guess i would b a little nervous going up to someone who had a disability if i wasnt disabled. ppl are scared to talk bc they think they mite insult them or make them feel bad or i dunno...like accidently say the wrong thing. i dont think its that ppl cant deal with the disabled, i think its more they dont kno HOW to approach them. i hope this helped some!!

Answer 11

What do you mean by acknowledge? I know that there are some people with disabilities...