HAVE you ever met a disabled person who is very naughty? Well, I have met many such, but one who stands out is a blind university student who saw no limits at all. He often landed up in trouble for alcohol abuse, initiating protests against university leaders and worse still, having several girls fighting over him at the same time.
That aside, he was one of the most intelligent people on campus.
Now, contrast this naughty daredevil to our typical disabled person who helplessly begs on street corners and you will begin to see different sides to disability.
What is interesting here is that if you observe those who decide to sit on street corners and beg, you will notice that they do so because society has taught them to be cynical about their situation.
In Zimbabwe for example, there was a time when the use of people with disabilities for begging purposes reached alarming levels – and this was way before the economic downfall of that country. Journeys by public transport soon became hellish as many able-bodied people used those with disabilities as bait in a fast-growing begging industry.
Some even laced their begging with an extra dose of moral blackmail, claiming the disabled person might just be a disguised angel, straight from heaven, so your refusal to help might earn you a curse.
If you look at South Africa today you will notice many people with disabilities – some of these historic – are being used by able-bodied people to earn a living.
Many of us have been conditioned to give artificial sympathy to people with disabilities – but the problem with this is that we rob them of developing vital survival skills.
When we view people as God’s pitiable creatures and give them begging opportunities instead of real life opportunities like education, health and employment, we rob them of their very dignity.
Lo sing sight or a limb does not suddenly take away all human strengths or weaknesses – like loving, craving for beer or being a cheat, as such character traits are human.
Similarly, one does not suddenly earn immunity from HIV/Aids and other societal problems just because you are physically challenged.
It is saddening to note that many people simply use people with disabilities as pawns to achieve their own selfish ends.
For example, many companies employ people with disabilities only to fulfil the book of affirmative action, while some rope them in to increase their chances of winning meaty tenders.
The government is not spared in this either as some politicians use people with disabilities to gain political mileage, while some ordinary people live with them so that they can sink their teeth into their disability grants.
Many things seemingly done for people with disabilities are actually done to fulfil other people’s selfish needs.
It is important for us not to take away the humanity of people with disabilities, for us not to use them as fronts, and for us not to treat them with choking sympathy or insensitivity.
We must give them equal opportunities in society, not because we feel pity for them but simply because they are human and deserve it.
Zwelani Ncube is from Molteno
Disabled deserve to have dignity
That aside, he was one of the most intelligent people on campus.
Now, contrast this naughty daredevil to our typical disabled person who helplessly begs on street corners and you will begin to see different sides to disability.
What is interesting here is that if you observe those who decide to sit on street corners and beg, you will notice that they do so because society has taught them to be cynical about their situation.
In Zimbabwe for example, there was a time when the use of people with disabilities for begging purposes reached alarming levels – and this was way before the economic downfall of that country. Journeys by public transport soon became hellish as many able-bodied people used those with disabilities as bait in a fast-growing begging industry.
Some even laced their begging with an extra dose of moral blackmail, claiming the disabled person might just be a disguised angel, straight from heaven, so your refusal to help might earn you a curse.
If you look at South Africa today you will notice many people with disabilities – some of these historic – are being used by able-bodied people to earn a living.
Many of us have been conditioned to give artificial sympathy to people with disabilities – but the problem with this is that we rob them of developing vital survival skills.
When we view people as God’s pitiable creatures and give them begging opportunities instead of real life opportunities like education, health and employment, we rob them of their very dignity.
Lo sing sight or a limb does not suddenly take away all human strengths or weaknesses – like loving, craving for beer or being a cheat, as such character traits are human.
Similarly, one does not suddenly earn immunity from HIV/Aids and other societal problems just because you are physically challenged.
It is saddening to note that many people simply use people with disabilities as pawns to achieve their own selfish ends.
For example, many companies employ people with disabilities only to fulfil the book of affirmative action, while some rope them in to increase their chances of winning meaty tenders.
The government is not spared in this either as some politicians use people with disabilities to gain political mileage, while some ordinary people live with them so that they can sink their teeth into their disability grants.
Many things seemingly done for people with disabilities are actually done to fulfil other people’s selfish needs.
It is important for us not to take away the humanity of people with disabilities, for us not to use them as fronts, and for us not to treat them with choking sympathy or insensitivity.
We must give them equal opportunities in society, not because we feel pity for them but simply because they are human and deserve it.
Zwelani Ncube is from Molteno
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