SPECIAL PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY
But when God created us, we were made in his own very image to reflect how he looks like on earth.2sam 9:4-7. He formed us in his likeness, to enable us fulfill his mandate.
Birth defects are numerous in number, and could be caused by various factors which could include, spiritual contingencies’, Rhesus factor of the mother, environmental factors, social factors, lifestyle and health status of the mother, inefficiency of hospital personnel, decay of health centers and institutions, e.t.c.
This implies that being disabled is not the sole fault of the individual but is due to diverse factors. But it is unfortunate that most people are not aware of this, hence the ridicule, scorn and mockery, meted out to people living with disabilities. The society also regards them as being incomplete, unfit, a castaway, unrecognized, unwelcome, and unacceptable in the family and society.
Most people forget the fact that it was the same God who created them whole and without any blemish, that created the same people with disabilities. Ex 4:11 And the Lord said to him, Who has made mans mouth? Or who makes the dumb, deaf, the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
God made and prepared us for his own pleasure. Regardless of what the enemies might have done, his plans and purpose for all always remains the same and unchangeable by any factor or circumstance. Isa.14:24, The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, surely as I have thought and planned, so shall it come to pass, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand……
It bitters and saddens my heart when I see and experience the execrable way we; the handicapped people are being treated in our society, inexcusably enough, the way most parents who are the closest to us treat us. Some parents see it as shameful and reprehensible to be seen with their disabled child or children, as the case may be. They regard it as an abomination and will rather leave these children at home, enclosed in one room, to the detriment of his life and future. The reason why this happens is because most of these parents have lost hope in us, and believe that there is nothing that can be done to help our situation. Even though I partially agree with this, in the sense that our disability cannot be reversed, I heartily disagree with the belief that we cannot make something out of our lives, with proper encouragement and support.
Some of us who are opportuned to go to school are sometimes DUMPED in boarding schools where these same parents find it difficult to come visit us, or bring us back home on vacations, as they do not want to be associated with us!
I speak from experience, as this situation became so bad, that school authorities had to call for a P.T.A meeting where this matter was addressed. Now we can imagine how these children are being treated at home. The disabled are being treated in unimaginable ways with bitter experiences, which is so great that it cannot be expressed in words. Take for instance, parents who are meant to be a source of succor, comfort and assistance to their disabled children, start using the condition of these children to abuse, curse and rebuke them, which is like adding salt to injury!!
The reaction of members of the society is another kettle of fish, as the society is not friendly to us at all. Most times, I feel rejected, dejected and sorrowful and burst into tears with the way am being treated by people. Take for instance, I need to go somewhere which will require me boarding a taxi, I spend nothing less than 2-3hours waiting for a cab driver that will be sympathetic enough to pick me up. This will not be due to the non- availability of taxis, NO! It is because of my condition. And even when I am lucky to get a cab, the reactions of some of the passengers is enough to make one puke. They begin to shift away and cover their nostrils like something vile had just entered their midst. Some even go to the extent of saying things like “ehhhh, maybe his parents used him for diabolical reasons” and all sort of unimaginable and hurtful things.
But as the saying goes, “silence is the best answer for a fool”. When they make all these comments right in my presence, with the belief that I cannot hear them or cannot understand, I just look at them and laugh because I KNOW I AM GOING SOMEWHERE!!!. Some even think that I am a beggar and will start to offer me money, but I always make them understand that this is not so.
Handicapped people are not supposed to be treated as if God is not their creator, but let’s accept them as they are with all the drooling, missing limbs, vacant stares and mumblings. Let’s see, relate and mingle with them as one family. For nobody can tell about the next second of his or her life!!!!!!
WRITTEN BY: SEUN PAUL TIMEHIN
EDITED BY: RUTH AITO
