Dear People,
While stepping “out” into the world may be fun, exciting, and not a thought for most, this is not the case for an individual with a disability, their caretakers and loved ones. The simplest task like buying groceries requires a little creative thinking, strategic planning, and can be nerve-racking. They have to consider accessibility, possible everyday distractions that can trigger a behavior, people’s reactions, and much more before actually getting out there. Sometimes all that preparation falls apart and to an outsider it looks like a three ring circus. How frustrating to get stares, laughter, and/or “tips” on how to behave in public or how to care for your loved one after meticulous forethought. So, what can the average person do to help people with disabilities integrate into the community? For tips on how to interact with a person with a disability, please check out Disability Etiquette for more information.
10 Comments
Lenora Sasteh Walters
Crystal,
THIS IS AMAZING!!! THANK YOU FOR CREATING THIS!!!
abilitybeyondfitness
Hi Lenora,
Thank you for taking the time to review our website! You are the first person to leave comments! We appreciate your enthusiasm! We look forward to helping as many people as we can, as soon as possible. Feel free to post any ideas and questions that you may have. Also, feel free to take our survey so we can better serve our community.
Mrs. P&P
This is an important point that needs to be shared. It’s so hard when you’re able bodied to forget that not everyone else is.
abilitybeyondfitness
Hi!
Thank you for your comment. One of our goals at Ability & Beyond and Fitness is to promote awareness for this community. Please share our link and keep an eye out for future events.
Tina M Crawley
I truly enjoyed this article. You shined a light on a well-needed topic. Keep educating all of us. I’m excited to watch and learn.
abilitybeyondfitness
Thank you for checking out our blog! We appreciate your comment. Yes, this is a topic a lot of people are unaware of. Please share our information amongst your friends and colleagues. Hope you will visit us again.
Anne
I think this is true of so many people! We don’t see their struggles and what it took them to be where they are.
This reminded me of when I talked to someone who felt judged for being overweight, when she had recently lost over 100lb. Her current weight felt like a triumph, but she still felt judged when talking to others who assumed she wasn’t taking care of her health because she was still overweight.
Since we don’t know everyone’s story, the best thing is just to love them and give them the benefit of the doubt.
abilitybeyondfitness
Hi Anne,
I totally agree with your comment and thank you for sharing that story. Yes, we should not assume and judge. We need to practice empathy and educate ourselves. Thank you for visiting our website.
Jennifer
Great topic! I have a ten year old son with Down syndrome. I love what you do!! I am a life coach for special needs moms and conduct person-centered planning for individuals with special needs. The fitness component is so important! I am working on getting my son more active.
abilitybeyondfitness
Thank you Jennifer!! Soon we will be posting exercise videos and activities that your son can participate in. Please stay tuned :-).