this kid.
God I want to cry. My heart is breaking for the disabled.
How can I complain about my own appearances when there is a young man, presently, as I type, sitting next to me with legs that can hardly function, a person about my age, having to use walking apparatuses for the rest of his life. I want to cry right now but I can’t. I just want to hug him and show him Jesus’ love and shower love all over him and be his friend and spend time with him and be so open and compassionate…Who am I to question his happiness? Perhaps he is more centered and self-sure about his own appearances and capabilities than I am. But then again, maybe he is depressed inside for being different, for every part of his existence being a chore, down to walking or attempting to feed himself… How does he feel inside, what are his thoughts? Is it wrong for a non-disabled person to assume negative thoughts of a disabled person, or to feel bad for them? Should I not feel bad for his physical disability? Does that show for thoughts of superiority in myself, that because he is disabled and not in ‘perfect’ form that I am merely looking down upon him and pitying him?
It is wrong to assume negative things about the disabled simply for being disabled. Feel bad only for the fact that people think negatively of him and remedy these thoughts in yourself. It does lean towards internalized superiority but you don’t have to hang on to it. The fact that you asked these questions is a good thing. Hopefully in the future, if more people ask these questions now, no one will have to ask them or think negatively of the disabled. And I’d think twice before showering someone with Jesus not everyone appreciates that as not everyone is Christian. But it’d be totally cool to befriend him and treat him like he matters. Not out of pity but because he’s a human being. You seem like you generally care, you just have some misguided ideas as to why you should care. It also seems that on some level you knew this. We’re all growing and learning I won’t fault anyone for this, as long as you do indeed learn and grow.
(Source: dbrickell)
