Rules to Live By: For People with Disabilities
Most people have no knowledge of what is lurking in the shadows of the mysterious system that is supposed to benefit people with disabilities. However, these same people might be only a split second away from learning about this process up-close and personal. Allow me to enlighten you so that you will not be surprised, shocked and frustrated if someday you are forced to live with these restrictions.
If your disability is openly visible, you lose the right to be treated as a person. For example, if you go to a restaurant with a non-disabled person, whoever takes the
order asks the person that you are with what you want. People assume that because you have an obvious disability that you could not possibly know what you want to eat.
You might also be yelled at from well-meaning people that assume you are also nearly deaf. These are the same big-hearted folks that speak to you in a baby-talk fashion as though your brain never matured past the age of three.
To be fair I must tell you about the rights that you do have.
You have the right (and government sponsored incentive) to live in poverty.
You have the right (and government sponsored incentive) to ignore your religious beliefs and live in sin with the person you love.
You have the right and obligation to not voice your thoughts, opinions, or objections about anything concerning your own life.
You have the right and responsibility to find and hire your own personal assistant at a lower pay rate than the fast food place on the corner pays.
You have the right to learn how to navigate the public transportation system. Be advised that if you use equipment such as a wheelchair there are no accommodations provided by the over-the-road busses (Greyhound). Most other forms of public transportation are not within your financial means.
You have the right to stay in your home and never go anywhere again
You have the right and predetermination to be a non-person.
There are an estimated 54 million Americans living with these rules everyday. Yes, this is the good old USA—land of the free.
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