Posted on Wednesday, 4th October 2006 by Patrick Dorwin
There is something that has been bothering me for quite a while. As you may know, I work with the elderly and disabled, and many of the people I work with have pretty severe physical and developmental disabilities and disfigurements. I am amazed at the reaction of many people on the street. I could understand children starting, but I remember that as a child, if I would have stared at someone in a wheelchair or with some other disability, I would have received a thump in the back of the head and a reminder to mind my manners. But almost daily, I see someone, or even whole groups and families stop and openly stare at my clients.
Do people have so little regard for the feelings of other people? Do they think that because someone is missing a leg, or has had a stroke, they don’t have feelings? They see you when you stare at them, and sometimes it is really painful. They are no less of a person, so please extend to them a little respect, and treat them as you would wish to be treated.
I also have clients that aren’t aware of the stares, people with profound developmental disabilities, Downs Syndrome, birth defects, the results of car wrecks, the horrible effects of Alzheimers and other diseases, blindness and many other ailments, but these people deserve no less respect than you do.
I understand curiosity, but have some respect.
Posted in Home | Comments (2) |
October 6th, 2006 at 6:45 am
Manners please sir, not manors unless you are teaching children about nursing homes etc.
October 6th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Ouch, ya got me