This is a lovely column by Leonard Stern from yesterday’s Citizen:
Studies show that able-bodied folk consistently judge the quality of life of disabled people to be much lower than do disabled people themselves. We project our own fears onto the disabled. Even medical professionals commit this error and underestimate the quality of life of disabled patients.
I recall once going to hear a disabled woman speak, about ten years ago. She touched on this topic, and I was left with the very distinct and uncomfortable impression that I had been doing just that–judging others’ quality of life to be low simply because I couldn’t fathom living in a particular way.
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This hit home for me when my sister gave birth 9 years ago to my nephew Kevin. He was born without a left forearm and hand. My first thought was how terrible this would be for him as he struggled to get through life. Watching this amazing child as he grows has taught me some very valuable lessons. He plays hockey, rides his bike, dresses himself and can do most things with one hand that some of us two handed klutzes can barely do with two. He is a sweet, cheerful boy who does not let his disability get him down and just gets on with life. If only we could all face life’s challenges with the same courage.