Since 1992, when ADA ~ Americans with Disabilities Act ~ took effect,
we have witnessed an astronomical increase in community awareness. Vast
numbers of handicapped persons who had rarely ventured out have come
into public view. The sick have been assisted. Many broken have been
made mobile. Physically unfortunates have been empowered.
As
Machiavelli said, "Power corrupts." Some of we disabled have come to
expect everyone else to make way for us. I fear, the pendulum has swung
from equal access rights ~ to special privilege civil liberties ~ which
too many of us have come to expect. Errant expectation undermines
appropriate appreciation.
Beneath our somewhat successful
surfaces, some of us were tyrants to begin with. We demanded instead of
requesting. Rather than even ask, we answered with action! Our arrogance
could masquerade as confidence.
Pride comes before the fall if
fall hard we must. Some of us "Frequent Fallers" routinely blame others
for our shortcomings. But, when we no longer have control over our own
bodies, we are frighteningly forced to revisit our selfish realities.
After all, it's in our own best interest. Just because I am stubborn, I
can ill afford to remain an ass.
We that are blessed to abide in a
nation that has mandated heretofore unheralded access to activities and
services, making it unlawful to discriminate against us because of our
"Special needs," should be grateful for the lack of restrictions we now
enjoy. Not that we deserve such liberty. We ought to recognize our
acceptance as gifts from the benevolent, able~bodied who pay for our
extended benefits.
Please, do not misunderstand, nor find offense
at my musings. I am grateful to those "Early swimmers," who recognized
the desperation of handicapped individuals and broke new passages
through which our citizenship now navigates. Whether motivated by
humanity or purely personal gain, I am appreciative of their meeting a
noble need for Equal Access. It is better now than it ever was. Access
will yet improve. I hope that we who most benefit can develop a
"Have-a-little-patience" perspective too.
Often, the goodhearted
& charitable only hope that we have paid a price, either through
contributing in some fashion within our own lives, or that by our
encouraging of others, we will extend like kindness where we can. That
we learn to love better, if only because we can :))
With "Equal Access," we can Leap~out, Limp~out, or Lash~out!
