International Day of People with Disability

The 3rd of December was International Day of People with Disability.  It focused on empowering people with a disability.  I love that there is such a day.  My concern is that one day it is the focus and the other 364 days it is forgotten about.
A look at some with disabilities and they are up against the 8 ball from the start.  Stephen Hawkins had it bad but in a way, he had it good.  He could afford all the available equipment.  He had experienced life as many do before he deteriorated.  There are those that experience neither.  It must be really hard to be a person trapped in a body that wants to communicate but cannot.  Ways are being worked on to make contact.
On tv they interviewed the guy in charge of an organization in Australia.  He is a Doctor.  He said his plan the day he had his accident, was to walk home after the event.  It took him six months to get home.  He came home a quadriplegic.
I do think that disabilities are highlighted right now because we can.  Take away so much and those with disabilities are likely to be the first forgotten.  I think it was Schindlers List that showed what they were doing to people with disabilities. 
I find it really interesting in the Special Olympics, how they classify athletes according to the severity of their disability.  That determines what class they can compete in.
Both the head of an organization in Australia and the classification system highlight to me something big time.  It is what I hold to.  It is not about what a person could do once it is about what they can do now.
I think it is great there are jobs that are seen as ideal for people with certain disabilities.  It does depend on the leadership though.  I know someone that works at such a place.  They were very happy until there was a change of leadership.  Compassion and working together was replaced by uncaring and unrealistic expectations.  What was a joy became a burden.
To me, there needs to be less emphasis on the dis and more on the ability.  Many have something to offer if given the chance.  This means seeing past the dis and seeing the ability.
That is not an easy thing to do.  In some cases I know that I prefer not to know.  I am glad there are those who’s heart is drawn to some because I could not do it.  I guess just like I could never be a dentist, but I am glad there are those that want to be.
I am big on highlighting similarities rather than differences.  There may be things that I take for granted that another cannot do.  But so often there are things they can do and do well that I fall short in.
I am big on the saying “no one of us has got it all together, but all of us together got it all.”  Besides, I do not remember having a say in how I was born.  The way I am is a gift.  The way anyone is, is a gift.  Some burdens are even gifts in disguise.