I work with special need adults and when were in the community people either back away or give me that your such a special person to work with them. I get very offended their not animals. Everyone is one trama away from being like them because the brain is the powerful but delicate.
2007-09-02 11:20:42 · 28 answers · asked by Dutchess 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ People with Disabilities
I am a person with physical deformities.... I have been gawked at, made fun of, ridiculed, stared at and mimicked all of my life.... I doubt many people have EVER seen my affliction and when they do, it freaks them out at first... They are basically ignorant as to how to act around anyone who is different.... Well, that USED to make me very angry when I was a child and I used to tell these gawkers "give me 50 cents and you can stare at me as long as you like".... when they realized I could SEE what they were doing (making fun of me or staring,) they would lower their heads as IF ashamed and walk away... WERE THEY ASHAMED? --NOPE--they were just sad because they got CAUGHT...and I made THEM feel as awkward as they made ME feel. THAT, somehow, made ME feel better... as I got older and more mature, the pain wasn't any less when they stared or mimicked me by shugging their shoulders and tilting their heads..... One thing I WILL say is that the ones who did this and still do it are the ADULTS and the teenagers.... I LOVE little kids because rather then make fun of it, they DO notice it but ASK me about it... I've been asked how did I come out this way, what happened to my neck, etc and I have come up with age appropriate FUNNY reasons that kids easily understand and then, they never ask again and a barrier between us falls.... It doesn't bother kids ONCE THEY KNOW WHY!!!! I wish adults could be like that...
2007-09-02 14:22:10 · answer #1 · answered by LittleBarb 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is because they dont know what else to do. It is human nature to be afraid and cautious of the unknown. I would not go as far to say that they do not have a good heart or they are cruel, but rather that they are uneducated.
For instance, say a woman is walking through the mall and another lady spots her and walks up to say hi. As it turns out they are old roomates from college and get to talking about their lives. The first woman starts to talk about her children, one of which are mental handicap. The other woman goes from smiling to "that face", and says "you are such a strong person, i could never do that". It isn't that she doesn't care...she just doesnt know how to react, or what else to say. She has never really been around anyone with a handicap.
Another reason may be, and this is only for some people, that they just don't like to hear negative things. They are so convinced that they can keep their own lives happy, by not letting others problems pollute their thoughts. Feel sorry for this person, as they have more problems than the people that you care for.
I think that you have an amazing career, and it really does take a special person to work with the disabled. But not because they are a burden or crazy. But rather because it takes a person with a compassionate heart, and an open mind to be able to care enough to actually help someone other than themselves.
Don't let others get you down.
Eva
2007-09-02 11:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's a lot of cultural symbols/concepts associated with disability--especial mental disabilities.
Partly, it's simply that the average person doesn't know much about persons with disabilities. Partly, some scholars argue, its the very fact that at some level people know they ARE "one trauma" away--and that's frightening.
To get a better idea of how the cultural representations play into our attitudes as a society, try "Freakery" (edited by R. Garland-Thompson) which is a collection of scholarly (but readable!) articles on this topic. Especially Dr. Garland-Thompson's introduction and article. BTW--she is also a writer and leading scholar in the new field of Disability Studies.
2007-09-02 12:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well not everyone is like that. But the people that are could just be confesed in two ways. One they may move because they are not sure what to do when nare a person that has a diabilitie so they do the first thing they think of, being respectful and moving as to not block their way. Or if someone has a mental problem they might not be sure if the disabilitie is to where the person might snap and hert someone. Caz there are things like that and someone that has it normaly kills someone. Like the guy that killed the guy John from the Bettels band. The guy had a mental thing and ended up killing his favorit singer just caz John said that the bettals could be biger then the son of god.
2007-09-02 14:23:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
People are rude and won't give others the chance!! I myself have a learning disability and it's tough to deal with sometimes when people think less of me. I'm working hard in life to become a school teacher!! I have so much compassion for those who are much lower functioning than me because I know they struggle. I was in special classes when I was younger and I've been around people who struggle more than I do. My aunt used to work with people who had physical disabilities and they were sweet people, hard working and fun to be around. I also knew someone who had mental issues but I gave him the chance. Everyone is human!! People need to understand that!!!!
2007-09-02 11:35:22 · answer #5 · answered by P 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think peopl fear them exactly. I think it is more of a not understanding kind of thing. The only time I back up is to let people in wheel chairs or trouble walking go into places first or hold the doors for them. Everyone needs a little help now and then and some more then others.
2007-09-02 13:19:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fear people fear what they don't know and they don't understand. And they can't imagine having any kind of disability themselves especially a traumatic brain injury or a developmental disability.
The you're such an inspiration thing gets old after awhile too. I don't want to be inspirational , I just want to be able to participate in society with equal opportunity and dignity.
2007-09-02 11:38:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because they evidently have no empathy. I tutor two special needs women and they have the biggest hearts of anyone I know. Everyone at the center where I tutor are the most honest and sweet people! They don't just lack a high IQ but they lack the dishonesty so rampent in most of society.
2007-09-03 02:03:54 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is natural for people to back away from something they do not know. It is the people who overlook those differences, and see a person, rather than a difference, and make a difference! People like you are angels, I hope you know that. You are G-d's hands on earth, and you are blessed and deserve a lot more credit than you get. You make sure that the people that society would rather sweep under the rug and forget are treated like human beings, and you have patience and fortitude and should be applauded. You are better than other people. You have wonderful hearts, and you are truly blessed! Thank goodness for people like you!
2007-09-02 11:34:24 · answer #9 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is the fear of the unknown. I have worked with profound women. They teach us an unmeasurable amout about life. The disabled population need love, attention, care, food, water, shelter just like everyone of us. The difference is that they can not verbalize their needs and or wants. The great thing is that they speak volumes if only people listen.
2007-09-02 11:32:42 · answer #10 · answered by Leighann 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋