Category : Articles

Sub Category : Miscellaneous

   I know I have written about this on more than one occasion, however, I would like to bring this up again. it is a sickness which plagues the very nation in which we live referred to as having a lack of empathy for the people who are handicapped. The basic definition of being handicapped, is something that causes you to be unable or something that impairs your daily function. This is very commonplace in the United States, as well as around the entire world. What I would like to focus on is not actually about handicaps it self, but the parking designated for handicapped people.
   As many  people have seen in the United States, the parking spaces with blue lines are intended for those with handicap which affect their everyday life. Whether it be noticeable or not, people have shown a great lack of empathy and respect for people in this situation. Most normal people turn a blind eye toward incidents like taking their parking spots or leaving rude messages on a person's windshield. Today, on this day I write about this a person left a paper plate with a message scrawled across it.
   "This is not a parking space. You think you are that special? Your not!! (A smiley face below the exclamation marks)"
   We were parked on blue striped lines which are legally designated in Princeton, Indiana parking lot at a local Wal-Mart. I have my doubts this was the store itself because of a number of reasons including the fact that it is perfectly legal to park on the blue stripes, which was originally designated for people who carry wheelchairs or power chairs. I fear that this kind of behavior, has only gotten worse in this era of selfishness. It is unfortunate people who live their lives with daily suffering, are actually made to suffer further because of people who deny or disrespect them for what they are. This kind of message can be said for all things, your race, your gender, or your choices on what to do with your life.
   Every single day we are out in public and many of us are harassed by these kinds of individuals. The kind of people who lack a blatant understanding for the born handicapped. Being handicapped and a writer has given me a sharp edge to cut back at those individuals by raising awareness. Though it concerns me directly, this kind of lack of empathy is something our world can be better off without. I returned to Wal-Mart again for a quick lunch, and was greeted by an employee who has befriended me. After telling her of this encounter she reassured me it wasn't the store, and asked if it would be okay if the manager knew about the encounter. I told her yes, even though it's not got me down.
   I have never tried to consider myself special because of my handicap, though I have joked about it on more than one occasion. I have always tried to live by the idea that everyone is special and has their own unique gift for the world. I think I have discovered mine, writing is not just a task for me. It's a passion, something I love to do every single day of my life. I hope one day we will all be able to live in a better community where people can respect such things as living with handicaps. A world where people can understand how we live our lives everyday and make it through one step at a time. Slow steps, but we are still moving forward. I wish you all the best of luck and only ask one thing of you. If you see a handicapped person, let them know how much you admire the courage. Whether it be a lifelong struggle or an unfortunate accident it is never an easy life to live.