A child with a significant disability relates how she really is inside, and how she feels about other people's reactions towards her or others like her. The little girl's name is Ellen, and she has spina bifida. She is 11 years old.
You may not think that I am all that much (you see, I am disabled, and I spend a lot of my time in a wheelchair), but I am a lot more than what you give me credit for.
For starters, I am a lot like you, more than what you may think. I have dreams, feelings, wants, and desires; and chances are, I happen to like a lot of the same things that you do. I also have a brain, and I happen to be very smart (or so my parents or teachers have told me!).
I also happen to have many dislikes. For me, I hate bugs (they are downright DISGUSTING!), boys who tease, spinach, liver, and onions (YUCKO!!), and having to spend the majority of my time in this DANGED wheelchair! I also hate it when people don't use common sense around me and treat me as though I don't have any sense or treat me like I am retarded, just 'cause I happen to use a wheelchair to get around. And I especially hate it when people don't make places accessible; too many times, I face barriers that no person should have to face, and being in a wheelchair only makes it harder! Like, for example, sometimes I can't get into a building so easily because there's no handicapped entrance, and then people end up having to carry me (or my chair) up the stairs; and that can get old after a while. Or people get irritated with me because my chair is bulky, and it may block the aisle; and then they get sore at me and say nasty things that hurt my feelings.
I CAN'T help being handicapped; it was just something that happened when I was born; and it is NOT my fault! I have a condition called spina bifida, which has left me paralyzed from the waist on down, and because of it, I normally can't walk (unless it is for short trips; and then I use forearm crutches). This is also the reason I wear these heavy steel-and-leather braces on my legs. This is also the reason why I have to go to the bathroom so often, so I can change the bag on my catheter tube; I can't go to the bathroom like you can, and I need a little in the way of extra help. I am also prone to infections of my bladder and kidneys; and I have ended up in the hospital because of it. But despite my having SB, I am a KID first, and people shouldn't have to treat me any different 'cause I just happen to use a wheelchair or crutches!
I see how you people act when you are around me. I see the looks of disgust or pity on your faces; and to tell you the honest truth, it hurts my feelings because it's like you don't want to give me a second chance. How would you like it if I treated the way you treat ME at times? I bet you wouldn't like it ONE BIT because I sure as hell don't!
Just treat me (or any other handicapped person) with RESPECT and dignity; and PLEASE use common sense when you are around us! We are a lot like you, and it is high time you realize that and stop acting so stupid and foolish around us!
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