 Fighting Chance's in-house blog writer,
Maria Makhoul, on why language itself poses a big challenge for people with
a physical disability...
Growing up with Cerebral Palsy (CP) is tough.
I
have personally faced discrimination and prejudice throughout my life. But
at just 13 I proactively decided to overcome that discrimination. I
wholeheartedly decided to learn how to have the inner strength and deep
personal confidence that I needed to face whatever hurdles life threw at
me, despite the inevitable stares my disability brought on and what others
thought of me.
Now,
I know surviving your teenage years is and can be an eternity but you can
get through it.
My
own teenage years also came with their challenges. I was born with the
moderate type of cerebral palsy which means that while I am able to walk
using mobility equipment to support me with my physical balance issues, I
use a wheelchair for long distances because I get tired. Because my CP is
mild, I sometimes feel “reluctantly” lucky that I can do the things I can.
But despite that, I personally try to push myself to try and attempt new
recreation activities as well as pursue new personal and career goals.
I
even have come up with my own terminology for the idea of “disability”. The
term I use is “permanent lifetime challenge” because it empowers people to
believe in themselves, and realise that having a disability won’t stop a
person from leading a limitless life.
My
preference for the terminology “permanent lifetime challenge” came from two
realisations.
Firstly,
I feel that the word “disability” is a problematic one.
1.
The word “disability” actually means “a handicap that leaves one unable to
do something”.
2.
From that definition itself, the word “handicap” actually means “something
that holds a person back or makes things harder”.
3.
The syllable “dis” means to belittle someone or to show disrespect for
someone.
Now,
what is really interesting about the concept of being considered ‘disabled’
is that some people assume that just because you are physically “crippled”
then that must mean that you are also intellectually “crippled” too. I hope
very much that perception changes someday soon. In my opinion, a lot of
people are nervous about befriending someone with a disability, let alone
employing them, solely because of that perception. And it is so wrong.
My
second realization of the value of the term “permanent lifetime challenge”
came from these three words themselves.
1.
The word “permanent” means lasting, or meant to last for a very long time and
so not temporary or changing
2.
The word “lifetime” means the period of time during which an individual is
alive.
3.
The word “challenge” means the calling for work, effort and the use of
one's talents.
I
personally and truly believe that words have power.
The
reason why I say this is because I see that some people think that their
disability can stop them or limit them from doing normal, regular
activities and living their life to its fullest potential, which can both
extremely sad and heart-breaking for both the individual and their family.
In fact, it should be the complete opposite! Such things as
‘disability’ don’t have to control and consume you, unless you personally
allow them to do so.
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