Disability is a generic term commonly used in today’s society, but it has assimilated over the years a wrong connotation due to a meaning error. In this direction we wish to present some clarifications. Ad litteram disability is a “physical, mental or mental state, that is limiting a person’s movement, activities, or perception”.
Physical disability involves a limitation of a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or endurance. On the other hand, there are other disabilities, such as neurological ones that include deficiencies that limit other important aspects of daily life, such as: respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy and sleep problems.
Unfortunately, disability has been and is seen as gloomy, negative and even a taboo subject, and people with disabilities end up being discriminated against and placed in nursing homes and clinics because of their situation and health.
Because of these discriminatory mentalities, people with disabilities face daily stereotypes, the constant struggles in being accepted by society, having access to education, work environment integration, etc.
On this special occasion, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we would like to bring a small contribution to the process of change. INVACARE, our company’s provider of walking and home care devices, conducted a study on the possibility of changing the society’s perception about “disability”. The study sampled wheelchair users all across Europe.
Below are some eloquent answers that we should all reflect on.
E, 27, Scotland: “I would like society to understand that I am proud of my disability, and this is, why not, a positive thing. It’s not useful always having shades of negativity, shame or pity. My condition has brought some amazing opportunities in my life for me and, if I had could make three wishes, I can honestly say that they do not necessarily include the ability to walk again. Disability is part of me, it completes me. So, in the future, think twice before naming a person with disabilities “brave”, “strong” or giving encouraging speeches about their circumstances. ”
Anonymous, 42, Spain: “Our energy must always be at the highest level because we fight a daily struggle for access, inclusion and equality. We do not need compassion, but rights! At this moment there are a multitude of campaigns for changing the mentality and equal access in society, by people with a noble soul. They only save on the energy of our friends and family that can now spend more time with us.” We spread the word globally, we hold rallies, we participate in demonstrations, but most of the time we only see the background of the problem, not its essence. Pragmatism consists in coming into direct contact with people with disabilities, learning about their needs, helping them without belittling or pity them, or creating embarrassing situations.In Romania, a project has been launched that addresses people with disabilities, meant to help them reintegrate in the work environment by purchasing assisting devices and technologies, in order to make their lives easier and restore their freedom of movement.https://www.ortopedica.ro/dispozitive-asistive We hope that this short article will help you and that it made you think about your future actions. It is not important to know the names of specific diseases, but it is important to make people with disabilities more confident in themselves and in the fact that in Romania, their voices and needs are being heard, and we Ortopedica team, are and will be with them and we will support them with all our available resources.
