A few weeks ago, I accompanied Mom to Kroger’s grocery store to do a little shopping. We get to the checkout counter and as the cashier is ringing us up, she glances down at me over the groceries and says “Hello,” in which I respond back with a polite “Hi, how are you?”

She then proceeds to have a slight pause followed by, “So what grade are you in?” She looks at me, and just assumes that I am younger than 25 years old because I’m no taller than 3’3″.

A week or so later I go to the Ohio State University Medical Center to wait on my mom for her yearly doctor’s appointment at the James Cancer unit. It never seems to amaze me that every time I’m there with her, the nurses and hospital staff assumes that I’m the patient who needs to be seen by the doctor.

On the same visit at the Ohio State University Medical Center,which is about an hour south from home, a nurse walks by while I am in the waiting room, she looks and me and proceeds to say, “I remember you when you were a little baby.”

I just smile at her knowing that she assumes that I was someone else because I am smaller than most people, but I know for a fact that it isn’ t me she is

thinking of.

Lastly, just last weekend, I am working at a craft show about an hour east of home and this guy comes up to the booth and smiles at me and says, “Hey, what have you been doing since high school?” I look at him, clearly knowing that I do not know this guy, but he assumes that I am who he thought I was.

This world has so many assumptions of people that they do not take the time to actually look at the person they are speaking to and think about what comes out of their mouth, before it does. While there are various different kinds of medical conditions, it doesn’t always mean we are all the same and that we all look alike.

I’ve dealt with all of the stares, questions, and comments throughout my almost 26 years of life; so I guess you could say that I’m used to it by now. But it just would be nice if people actually took the time to get to know someone before they judge them on what they see or think they see.

With so many comments that I receive each day of my life, there’s always a comment that makes me smile every once in a while, and that is, “Hi, how are you?”

It’s truly amazing how that simple statement can make one person be happy. They never once asked me a question about my appearance or assumed that I was someone that I’m not; they simply wanted to speak to me as a human being. I know you’ll never change the world completely, but as the saying goes, you just take one day at a time.

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A physically disabled child is never on equal terms with his or her able-bodied peers. The other children are always able to do things that the physically disabled child cannot in the classroom: for instance, write with a pencil or pen.

I realize, of course, that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are designed to bridge this gap, however, the IEPs do not cover the little things that a child with physical disabilities is unable to do. It only focuses on the big picture and not the small. When a child gets frustrated because he or she takes twice as long to do science labs as the rest of the children, that is restricting. When, day in and day out, a child’s legs are sore because they are being shoved under tables that cannot fit their wheelchair, that is restricting.

Any time a child is not being provided an equal opportunity with their able-bodied peers, however unintentional the mistreatment may be, it is still restricting the child’s ability to learn. Even if IEPs are designed to correct these issues, once the child is actually in the classroom, the IEP is tossed away as easily as a used tissue.

Teachers are busy, too busy to take the time to read a child’s IEP and make note of the accommodations listed. Even if the teacher actually reads the IEP, in the hustle and bustle of the classroom, they tend to forget. Sometimes they don’t even realize that a child is struggling. For instance, a child has on their IEP that a teacher must be with them at all times during a fire drill so that they don’t get trampled in the crowd.

However, when it comes down to the actual drill, the teacher understandably forgets as they try and get out of the building. This is not only restricting the child, it is downright dangerous.

In theory, the IEP is the solution to all our problems. In practice, it is merely a vague stirring in the back of a harried teacher’s mind, or a meaningless piece of paper sitting on their desk. So the child is being restricted, not by their disability, but by the staff and others who violate IEPs, or who don’t make an effort to see that the child is provided an equal opportunity as the rest of the children.

Even if a child appears to be “doing fine” in their current educational setting, there still can be restricting factors that hinder their academic potential, and these factors may or may not be easily correctable with time, effort, and money.

IDEA and Section 504 state that children with disabilities are entitled, just like every other child, to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). A FAPE, according to the U.S Supreme Court, is “…personalized instruction with sufficient support services to permit the child to benefit educationally from that instruction.”

However, the writers of IDEA and Section 504, and the Supreme Court, fail to acknowledge the theory of the “whole child”. This focuses on all aspects of a child: educational, medical, social, etc. Even if a child is in the “least restrictive environment” for them academically, this may not be the case socially.

This is especially true in middle and high school, where children form exclusive groups and cliques. When a child has an aide following them around all day, it hinders social contact. Not many children at that age are comfortable enough with themselves and their peers to talk freely when there is an adult around, even if the adult is a little ways away.

Therefore, the child is either ignored or shunned from the group, viewed as an oddity. The child then spends his or her days with no friends and extremely lonely. They may even be bullied, whether it is verbally or physically. In this way you are hindering the child’s social growth.

Inclusion, like so many other topics discussed in this editorial, is a great idea on the surface. However, if the child is not happy in their mainstreamed environment, but is doing well on tests, then is the inclusive environment really the solution for them?

Ultimately, the “least restrictive environment” overall may be segregation in special education classes, or, in the case of the physically disabled student, a different school geared towards physically challenged children.

Do not be afraid of the word segregation! There is such a stigma attached to that word, when, really, segregation may be the best option for a child’s well-being and for preserving their self-esteem. There, a child will not face the daily barriers that they face in a mainstreamed environment: whether it is academic, physical, or social.

The child will perform better academically when it is truly a level playing field, with other kids that face the same or similar challenges.

Schools specially geared towards accessibility will be much more freeing than a school that only has accessible doors in the back, and a rickety old freight elevator that’s barely big enough for one wheelchair, let alone two. Ultimately, a child will have a better social experience as well.

Segregation with other physically disabled students allows the child the chance to participate in activities that he or she could never do before. This leads to new social contact. In a place where wheelchairs and crutches are the norm, nobody is afraid of the girl in the wheelchair, and nobody will make fun of her for it. In essence, inclusion is not the excellent idea everybody seems to think it is.

I feel very strongly about this topic. In my own years in the inclusion system I have encountered countless barriers, physically, academically, and socially that restrict my environment. On numerous occasions these experiences have damaged my self-esteem and the overall tone of going to school. Every year, it seems, a new issue has arisen, whether it’s a teacher violating the IEP, a battle to be free of my aide, or just plain making friends.

All the aspects of school for me are influenced by my disability. I believe that in order to truly have the “least restrictive environment” major changes need to be made to our pre-existing laws. These new laws need to focus on not only a child’s academic needs, but also their needs socially. They also need to make sure that there is some way the IEP is followed, and that regular education teachers actually read the IEP.

Also, the IEP is not the be all and end all. The teachers need to go beyond the IEP to make sure that the child is getting the same education and experiences as their able-bodied peers-even if it’s not given in the exact same way. Only then will we truly have a “least restricting environment”.

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Everybody knows the old cliché that says – the more things change, the more they stay the same. When I was young I always thought how it didn’t make any sense, but as I grew older I realised just exactly what it meant.

Especially in my country. Things changed drastically in South Africa over the past 15 years, yet these days the same old problems seem to pop up here and there, with an ironic twist.

In the old days, it was the white, conservative NP party in charge. There were rumours of corruption, an elite group who reaped the benefits while the majority of the country rebelled.

Television was only introduced here in 1976, and even then it was censored. The media news reports were somewhat one sided with many journalists threatened or even jailed. People were living in fear, isolated from the world, hopeful for a different, better future but never knowing if it will ever come.

Then things changed, in a relatively short space of time the country turned on its head, Nelson Mandela was set free from prison, Apartheid was over. President Mandela, Madiba, managed to keep the country from falling into chaos, the ANC came into power, the NP was defeated.

For almost five years the country lived in euphoria, it couldn’t believe the change came so suddenly, so peacefully.

But now, seven years since then, the country is not as euphoric as it used to be.

Fear has crept back, as well as corruption, the elite groups and attempted control over the media. This time it is not Apartheid to blame, but violence. Fear because of it, and anger at the complete apathy of the government towards it.

A few years ago the protest was a mere whisper, these days it is an outcry of millions of people fed up with crime.

To regard yourself lucky when raped, and not murdered, attacked and beaten but not murdered is a sad reminder of how far gone this country has become. Perhaps it is not just the crime itself which people have begun to fear, but the level of cruelty that accompanies it.

It seems criminals are not satisfied with merely killing their victims. Take for example a recent killing of security guards. Burnt alive in their armoured vehicle, their murder reminded the country once again that we have a different breed of criminal here, one utterly devoid of emotion or mercy.

All the years of murder, hi-jacking, child rapes and apparent lawlessness has had its affect on the minds and hearts of the country, and now they call for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

Once seen as the cruel punishment of the Apartheid-regime, it now seems the only way to save this country. It is sad that a country with so much potential must suffer so needlessly. Now, as then, the country’s problems are not insurmountable, yet it seems unlikely to find a solution in the near future.

Things have changed, and things have stayed the same. The only difference now is, the people have tasted true democracy, and will fight to keep it.
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The world is missing out on extraordinary talents. What is the source of these intentionally and unintentionally overlooked abilities? It is the dismissal of the passions, competencies, and experiences of people with disabilities.

I am not a disabled person, but I know a number of people who have been met with challenges in their lives due to injury or disease.

I am very close to two of these people in particular and both have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). One is a family member while the other is one of my three best friends.

To watch my friend with MS deal with the realities of a job search while having a disability has been most frustrating and annoying. If my observations produce those feelings inside of me (as an outsider looking in), I can only imagine what it must be like for him.

So many times the interest in him from employers is huge when the initial telephone contact is made. More often than not, this enthusiasm quickly vanishes once his appearance for interviews is marked by him coming through the door with the aid of his walker.

In the aftermath of these snubs, my friend misses out on opportunities for gainful and meaningful employment while the employers and the world that is touched by the business operations of these companies misses out on the amazing contributions he is perfectly capable of making.

Furthermore, consider the psychological impacts this has on a person. Ultimately, the shame of it all is that these cold-shoulders he receives are entirely unnecessary.

All people want is to be happy.

Happiness comes in many forms, and primary manifestations of happiness for people are using their gifts (passions, competencies, and experiences) and the knowledge they are making positive contributions to society.

Frankly, I have no solutions to offer with regard to the intentional crowd. But, perhaps a solution does exist with the unintentional crowd. Prejudice in any form is not acceptable. What creates prejudice?

There are a host of reasons, but I believe that ignorance begets fear while fear begets prejudice. So, if people can be educated about the capabilities of those with disabilities, then ignorance will vanish, then fear, then prejudice.

It may not shake all of the ignorant out of the trees, but to change the hearts and minds of the unintentional crowd or even a single person would be a considerable first step.

In addition, people need to realize that people with disabilities are no different than them. They also wish to be happy.

The people I know with disabilities constantly amaze me moving forward with their lives in the face of their injury, illness, and whatever roadblocks the world attempts to throw their way.

My family member with MS is an extraordinary artist. I could write much more about my friend with MS than this space allows.

Suffice it to say he has a riveting and unique creativity about him alongside loads of experience, education, and expertise that should be let loose on the world. He never stops aiming for his “big break” and if given that one opportunity look out world!

My friend wrote it so well at one time –”People are not hired for what they cannot do, but what they can do.”

I have made my living in the marketing, writing, editing, and training fields. However, I am terrible at things like mathematics. I have been hired for what I can do, not what I cannot.

There may be some things a person with a disability cannot do, but there are things a disabled person can do. It seems so simple. Disability does not mean the inability to function.

It means you hire a disabled person for what he or she is able to do, which, by the way, is no different than why a person unaffected by injury or disease is hired.

Could it also be that people with disabilities can offer certain strengths beneficial to an employer and society that a non-disabled person cannot offer? I suggest the answer is – yes.

In order to adapt to their change in lifes

tyle, people with disabilities learn to be creative problem-solvers in order to overcome obstacles. I believe that this ability to improvise and solve problems is directly transferable to who knows how many careers.

A person with disabilities demonstrates perseverance and dedication when engaged in a job search while being a loyal employee once hired.

On the subject of strengths, consider the following. It is said that when a person “loses” something (gains a disability) that he or she has increases in the other senses.

Imagine a blind person listening to the 1812 Overture versus a sighted person. Is it possible that the blind aficionado might pick up subtle nuances that the sighted person is “blind” to?

It is interesting to note how sighted people often close their eyes or turn off the lights when listening to music. What I am saying is that each person has strengths to discover, recover, and claim as a result of a disability.

Again, these strengths are transferable to employment as well as everyday life.

People with disabilities have unique gifts that they bring to this adventure called life. If only those disabled by prejudice could learn that disability is a natural part of the living process. I believe that this is the place to start.

Scott McBean is an award-winning editor and marketing manager.

He is the author of the book, “Career Transition Tailored to Your Best Asset – YOU!” that is available for purchase on the Internet. Scott is currently editing a self-help book by another author.

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As we prepare to beat our nationalistic chests on the anniversary of a horrendous tragedy we will obviously honor the sacrifices that were made that day but the senseless murder will continue. We love to boast about the abundance of resolve and tenacity contained inside our souls but rarely seem to acknowledge the spirit of a people in a foreign land fighting off hunger or an endless occupation.

It’s only an anniversary when it happens to us but we have become numb to the slaughter and the atrocities committed overseas by the American government or some other imperialistic country that we support. It brings a bitter and outraged tear to my flustered cheeks as I sit and absorb the senseless horror mixed with a hypocritical slant seeping from my television and infecting my gradually melting brain.

The cable news media would be more than happy to drill a hole through my scalp and through my skull so they can place a straw and just suck my brain right through into their portly stomachs. These emotionally absent talking heads have the ability to hide their tails underneath their expensive suits while maintaining their fake smiles. One day during a bad acid trip you might see a flying creature rip itself outside of the human skin of its human host piercing through the flesh of every part of the news caster’s body to reveal itself to our captivated eye balls.

The creature’s real mission is to desensitize us and put in a very narrow state of mind so that we will all have the same set of solutions to every crisis that we encounter. They disguise these motives when they show compassion for missing teenagers in Aruba and are foaming at the mouth to use September 11 to justify violent vengeance against any country that disagrees with their policies. These demonic flying creatures are brainwashing listless screen leaches into rationalizing the use of senseless violence to solve world conflicts and are apparently working for the Republican Party.

There just seems to be an apparent lack of compassion for the suffering on a daily basis and these news organizations continue to ignore issues that really do affect our dying civilization. We love to wax poetically about every tragedy that occurs on our dear soil and celebrate our feisty American spirit with loud speeches on top of a heap of rubble. We are in such a hurry to get our hands dirty and erect a so called freedom tower to give a big middle finger to terrorism around the globe as if we’re such a vigilant culture that will not negotiate no matter what the cost.

As long as we have our air conditioning and high definition televisions we could care less about what country the military bombs or what people we will end up alienating. According to the New York Times on August 16th on an article written by Edward Wong and Damien Cave, 3,438 civilians in Iraq in July were murdered during this endless war and no tears were shed. An average of more than 110 Iraqis in July a day was brutally killed but there is no anniversary or passionate addresses to the bruised souls inhabiting the chaotic territory.

The ignorant assumption that it’s the cost of war and that the civilians are necessary collateral damage is continually feeding the expensive machine grinding up innocent civilians. These are people we are talking about! Women, children and families are being blown up into tiny pieces and nobody cares about their suffering even though their death toll dwarves our suffering. I am not trying to compare the death tolls but completely neglecting coverage of a war just backs us into a selfish corner that exposes us as sullied nationalists that only interject when there are large quantities of money to be made.

Even though the brave underpaid firefighters and cops sacrificed themselves to save the lives of the civilian workers all we care about are our own safety and what country we want to take revenge on. Our anger and fearful nature seem to have clouded our judgment on that day but five years later we still have not learned our lesson even as the anniversary intrudes on our lives.

Repaying death with more death will oil up the wheels of war and keep them turning rolling over ashy skulls and breaking them into little pieces. I do not want to hear that garbage about the toughness and grit of New Yorkers and act as if that had happened anywhere else that the people would be curling into a ball and urinate all over themselves. For the record, I am a New Yorker.

The death and destruction being perpetrated in the Middle East against Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinians is just as horrific as any ordeal experienced by any other humans across the globe and should be treated as such. Speaking of neglected tragedies, how about the anguish and helplessness felt by the people of the Gulf Coast that is still struggling to rebuild their lives?

USA Today features an article written by Susan Page and William Risser on August 21st that delves deep into the issues that continually haunt the residents of this shattered community. The article sites a USA Today/Gallup Poll that points out that only 16 percent proclaim their lives are back to normality and that is just plain unacceptable after all the promises made by the government.

The poll also indicates how about a third of the community are dealing with the cold reality that they would eventually have to take refuge somewhere else due to the wealth of destruction. The findings have also revealed that the people hit by the storm mostly need financial support to rebuild their lives but we instead chose to throw money at failed reconstruction projects in Iraq and please do not get me started with that issue!

This is a full year later and we are yet to get our foot in the door of recreating what the city had lost during the devastating storm. This Katrina relief effort has become irrelevant and the situation in Iraq has been overshadowed by worrying about the 9/11 anniversary and the fear of more terrorism.

Do not be fooled by the news anchor that pronounces how great America is and how persevered on that faithful day or be deceived by the somber tone of George W. Bush because they simply do not care. They will use it to strike fear within us and this tragedy could best be summed up as the best thing that ever happened to the President so he could be the war President.

Every time I roll my disabled ass out of my freaky machine that they call a bed, you know that robotic hospital bed, I see a tragedy just as horrific as 9/11 but to my dismay I have a hard time convincing anyone else of that.

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