Care for the specially abled
By: Bilal Ahmad Sofi
In our society, being normal and fit is a criterion of getting respect. Anything against this is a demeaning thing. In the common parlance, handicapped people are to be marginalized and hardly to be taken into account.
All human beings are same, however, specially-abled they are. In case of specially-abled people, they are different in another sense. Their bodies may be different or their brains may understand things slowly, these are no parameters to isolate these from the mainstream.
All human beings need care and respect. However, the specially-abled people need more love and care. They want respect, sympathy, empathy, understanding, patience from s besides they need space to excel in whatever field or stream they wish to choose.
Since time immemorial, the specially-abled people have been marginalized or isolated. They have been seen through the disgusting eyes. Their one form of disability or another is the main cause responsible to look down upon them. It is a norm in our society that one who is physically and mentally fit is deemed to live a comfortable life while those who suffer from some form of disability, must be given the backseat.
It is the mentality of the common people that forces them to consider the specially-abled people inferior. It is generally believed that the specially-abled people cannot do anything extraordinary.
They are just a burden on the society and need a lot of care and manpower. In the world, where the survival of the fittest thinking prevails, these people have hardly any place. One, who is fit in every aspect, should be accepted while those who lack in some aspects are to be rejected.
However, this line of thinking is not true. Like other normal human beings, they have the right to live in a just society where they are not discriminated against. If we closely look at them, they have achieved a lot according to their capacities.
Helen Keller is a live example of this. She proved that her disabilities could not act as an obstacle in her way of passion. Against all odds, she came out winning. Like her, we have a plethora of examples that the specially-abled people have achieved what was unthinkable for a healthy person. Many specially-abled people climbed the summits of the highest mountain ranges of the world.
It is also pertinent to mention over here that no religion, especially Islam doesn’t allow it to look down upon the disabled or handicapped people nor teach to mimic them. However, it encourages us to help such individuals especially who are naturally specially-abled or have become one owing to one reason or another.
Therefore, it must be kept in mind while walking or strolling on the roads or lanes if we meet especially-abled person, he or she must be fairly treated or assisted while making them cross the road or lift them if anyone possess own vehicle depends upon the scenario.
So, the need of the hour is to change the mentality towards the specially-abled people. They are like us. They need our affection, sympathy, empathy, care, etc. From the very beginning, we must inculcate positive thinking into the minds of children that the specially-abled people are no different from us.
They have special needs and we, the normal persons, have to help them to live a comfortable life. Let us pledge that we will never disown the people who have special needs. The Government as well the public has to remain sensitive towards their needs. Mere plans won’t suffice. However, the implementation of the plans can do miracles.
(The author hails from Khushipora, HMT, Srinagar)
