Thanks to a really good friend, yesterday I read a blog about a young woman with a disability who overheard a young man refer to another person with a disability as “crippled.”
Take a look at the blog: The UNIPLEGICLIFE
In summary, she spoke up and asked him to use another term, and his reply was “CRIPPLED, HANDICAPPED, WHATEVER. IT’S ALL THE SAME. HER LEGS DON’T FUCKING WORK.”
Based on the sheer numbers, it is likely that disability will touch all of our lives at some point in ourselves, our parents, our children, friends etc. There are so many entry points, from accidents, illnesses, issues at birth, aging, violence and more.
If you read her story in the link above you can feel the emotion in the situation. You can identify with her pain especially if you are a part of ANY underrepresented group identified by what society calls “your difference”.
Unfortunately, this type of behavior is to be expected at one point or another some kind of morbid “right of passage”. Some people don’t intend to be offensive and others can be so blatantly offensive that you want to punch them in the face.
Her father shared her story on Facebook, and I read some of the comments. People were hiding behind the veil of the internet saying…these days people are too easily offended and sensitive. While that may be true, does that mean that we should just accept the insults of others and say nothing? I THINK NOT!
The response above tells me much more about him. I believe that the rude behavior showed that HE was offended by her being brave enough to correct him! I also wondered if he were a child who was not taught to consider others before speaking. Maybe adults told him he was cute or cheeky or clever when he was a child? What would his mother say if she heard his response?
If a person is offended by our words or deeds and lets us know, why not honor them and just apologize, even if we think they are being “sensitive.”
…And for those of us who are underrepresented or with disabilities lets expect respect and in that expectation lets also respect others. Let ‘s continue to respectfully correct others that use language that is offensive. This is how we advocate for each other. Let’s fight the urge to respond in a way that lowers ourselves to their vibration. Let’s allow them the benefit of their own karma which is how they learn.
I don’t wish any person ill EVER because I believe that you give what you get intentionally or not.
Karmic debts are always paid and reported on the credit report of life.
CHECK yourself, before you WRECK yourself.
Love & Light
Cr8Ab
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