Why should it be, that when a one-handed person is walking down the street, people must stare at it as if it’s disgusting?
It’s not only a one-handed situation; this affects anyone else who is physically disabled. As a one-handed person who is missing her right hand, I constantly question today’s society by always asking, “Does society accept disabled people?” The general public would probably say yes, but someone who actually experiences the looks and the stares says no. I do not at all mind that I am missing my right hand; in fact, I consider it to be one of the most interesting features of myself. I actually consider my stump as a friend, and nicknamed it “Littlehand”.
When I heard the news that a one-handed woman was to be a new host on a children’s television show in England, I was pleased to hear it. It was fine to see someone who represented the minority on television, and on top of that, someone who was educating and opening the minds of children. However, not everyone looked upon Cerrie Burnell with such ecstatic views. Small groups of parents stated that having a one-handed person on television “scared” children, forcing parents “to discuss difficult issues with their young children before they were ready”.
In my opinion, such comments should never be uttered. It should be the opposite to have someone say that a disabled should never be exposed to people unless they are ready. The young should be taught that there are differences in people and accept them as who they are, instead of ostracising and concealing such facts of life.
Like Ms. Burnell and others, I’ve also had my fair share from a prejudiced society: children and their parents staring at my stump in restaurants, school kids from my school screaming in surprise at the sight of my arm, little boys telling me upfront that it’s “weird” and “disgusting” and passengers on buses eyeballing it. It is upsetting and distressing to see that so many people in a society which claims to accept, ogle at the abnormal and laugh at others disabilities.
If people were to know me, I’m quite sure that they would forget that I am disabled. My sisters are constantly forgetting that I am restricted in performing some tasks as they know me to be as capable as anyone else who is two handed. The fear of the unknown is always there but the remedy is to associate with those less able bodied and not to fall into such prejudices, letting the unknown become the known.
I don’t mind if people ask “why is your hand like that?” in a polite manner, because I am educating those who are unknown to such issues. However, I don’t think that it is my job to always answer to such questions, always repeating “I was born like that” over and over again. More channels should place disabled people on television; ABC already has disabled presenters but what about the more commercial networks, the ones that are more viewed. Channel Seven could have a one handed person doing the weather, Channel Nine having a one legged person reading the news and Ten to have a person who is in a wheelchair presenting a children’s show.
With all hopes, such aspirations could build a better society, a society that truly accepts all forms of people especially those who are disabled. All they need to do is say hello to my little friend.
This article by Kar Leng Chiu, from Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay, was the Year 11/12 Winner in What Matters? 2009
What Matters? is a writing competition, run by The Whitlam Institute, that gives year 5-12 students in NSW and ACT a chance to say what matters in society today. For more information go to: http://www.whitlam.org/whitlam/index.php
