Hi everyone!
Happy New Year!
Long time no post! Sorry!
After a hectic festive period, holiday, bout of illness and birthday shopping preparation, it’s back to work for me!
The Scope For Change Program not only kickstarted my campaign, but it also feeds into my work in the Scope Role Models department! Bonus!
I went in as a volunteer Role Model for 9 sessions over 2 days at the Central Foundation School for Girls in Bow on Monday and Tuesday this week. It was my first school, and I had an absolute blast! The head of Year 8 is an amazing woman, taking the whole thing so seriously, fully supportive , and asking me all the right, thoughtful questions.
We spoke about how common disability is, and how important it is to be understanding of visible and invisible disabilities. And how not to talk to a disabled person. Like this:
I cringed EVERY SINGLE TIME I watched it. Please don’t do stuff like this.
I got asked about my condition a lot, the importance of travel accommodations, disabled toilets, if anyone had been rude to me like the video above, (The answer is yes), and the impact of bullying(To which my response was “I just want to be treated like a human being with feelings“), amongst other things.
2 particular questions stuck out for me though, for their originality.
The first was a brave and unexpected question: how did I feel when I understood that I was a disabled person? I told her the truth: I was extremely frustrated with myself, looking at the left side of my body and commanding it to work properly. It took me a while to get my head around it. It took me a long time to understand, accept and respect my limitations. I don’t put myself through unnecessary hell any more.
The second was extremely relevant to this campaign: the overall concept indicating that disability could strike anyone - at any time. I discuss this with you now so you don’t learn the struggles of disability the hard way (acquiring one yourself out of the blue). Being nice and understanding and learning from my experiences makes all the difference. After all, we are people too!
Ask about our conditions curiously, Not rudely. Take us seriously. Consider our emotions.
If this doesn’t happen, there is a slim chance of #RightWordsRightMind for the disabled person.
I am glad I am able to set the record straight for some people. I hope you can join me in this quest!
Until next time,
Raisa Xx
#RightWordsRightMind
#PositivityPossibilitiesProsperity
Twitter: @right_words
