If a friend welcomes you with a smile,
If your child runs toward you for an embrace,
If you can sing in the middle of traffic,
If you still know how to have fun playing ball,
If you can knock on your neighbor's door,
If you can tell stories to children,
If you make spaghetti for someone who drops by unexpectedly,
If you can marvel at small things,
If bad weather doesn't make you sad,
If you don't tire of everyday gestures,
If you can give and receive without fuss,
If you don't think yourself better than others,
If you know you are loved by God,
Then for you today, joy is possible! We are people too.
You have called me, scientifically,
in 1930 a "cretin"
in 1940 "deficient"
in 1960 "subnormal"
in 1980 "handicapped"
now you call me "disabled"
As you can see, I have always adapted to your taste for definitions: my condition has given me enough patience to wait with curiosity and interest for your next label.
But I would like us to remember, you and I, that I have always been "a person"—irreplaceable and sacred in my dignity—and that I would prefer to be called simply by my name, not a category. When it was said that "every individual has the right to reach his or her full potential," that applied to me too, didn't it?
The next time you worry about exams, an appointment, a party with friends, your children, or getting your driver's license, remember that there is someone who is not fortunate enough to have your same problems.
And if you want to be useful:
- learn seriously about the challenges disabled people face;
- examine your own attitude toward them: remember their dignity as a person before you measure their abilities or shortcomings;
- find out what care and rehabilitation services exist in your area, and offer to help, or contact volunteer organizations and donate your time;
- consider a career in rehabilitation (educator, therapist, doctor, psychologist, social worker, etc.). Look into what cooperative work exists in the field of disability.
Text from "La Nostra Famiglia", 1991