Hey all, I had a different video planned for today, but something happened to me in the last 40-45 minutes or so and I've got this topic on my mind now. It has to do with handicapped rights and more so the rights of humans, I guess.
So, I'll explain what happened that made me think of this. I mean, it is something that's always on my mind, but it was brought to my attention again today because of this occurrence.
I was at rehearsal for this show I am doing and I came out when rehearsal was over and there was a car parked right next to my handicapped van that has a lift, so I can get into the van. And I'm not sure if you've noticed, but some handicapped spaces have extra space beside them with crossed lines whether they're yellow or blue and sometimes they have signs that say "No Parking Any Time." The reason for this is that people that have vans with lifts need to use those lifts to get out of their car, so if someone's parked in the space next to it, they can't get out or get in their car.
So, I was parked in the handicapped spot and someone was parked in the space next to it that specifically says No Parking Any Time. So, as I'm coming out of the building, the car that's parked in the No Parking Any Time space moves. So, I go up to the driver and said "hey, what does that sign say?"
He said, "what sign?"
"The one in the spot where you were just parked."
"It says No Parking."
So I said, "well, why were you parked there?"
He said, "But I moved when I saw you."
And I was like, "you know, that's not really the point. The point is that you are not supposed to be parked there. It says No Parking Any Time. If you weren't in your car and you couldn't move your car, then I or whoever else may need to use that spot wouldn't be able to get in their car."
And basically he went on to insult me more and say that I was only complaining because I was upset, which is obviously true - I was upset, but it is not really about me. It is about all handicapped people. It is the principle of the matter. You're not supposed to park there because those spots are designated for people to get in and out of their cars.
Thankfully, someone else was there and came up to me a little later while I was sitting in my car thinking about what had just happened and said that they were happy that I stood up for myself and happy that I stood up for all handicapped people, really.
But when people do things like that, abuse handicapped spots, the spots next to them, or anything like that, it makes us (anyone with a disability) feel like less of a person.
I'm pretty sure you can see that I'm not in the greatest mood right now and that is because of this. Right now I really do feel like less of a person. I'm not just saying that, that's actually how I feel.
So, I guess the moral is if you are watching this video, please think about things before you do them. Don't park in those spots that say "No Parking Any Time" even if it is just for a second because that is one second too long.
And in general, just try to be nicer.
[End video transcript.]
I had more recorded for this video, but I messed up at the end and since it was almost 2am and didn't want to rerecord the entire thing (and editing/splicing wasn't working). The last bit that I cut out was supposed to say (after "one second too long.")
"And in general, just try to be nicer to people. Anyone. Whether they are handicapped or not handicapped, black, white, purple, Jewish, Muslim, Christian - it doesn't matter. Just try to be nice, try to be considerate. I guess that is all I have to say."
[End extra video transcript.]
So now I don't want to go to rehearsal tonight because I'm worried that this man will be there again. I love theatre more than just about anything else in the world, but thanks to this person I don't even want to do that. This is what happens when you treat someone like a second-class citizen.
When I was in the NYC the other day one of my friends said "you know, I always forget you use a wheelchair." Normally, I do, too. It seems so natural to me that I don't think I am different than anyone else. I am only reminded of it when things like this happen.
Oh well, c'est la vie, I suppose.
http://www.youtube.com/WheelzOfFortune
Hey, Joseph .. did you go to rehearsals last night in the end? I hope you did.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right we should show consideration and respect to everyone, particularly those with particular needs or disadvantages.
I have a w/c pal, and like your friend I no longer consider him as such, but as a normal friend. He has had similar experiences i9n England to this, which have deterred (and even stopped)him from going to some places again on his own .. afriad he might be verbally abused and on one occasion physically attacked/assaulted. He now goes to such places - when he goes - with a friend.
It is a sad world in which we find ourselves, I fear.
By the way I am "mapleclose" from You Tube ..
Ivor
You're definitely going to go to rehearsal tonight. Because there's no point in "oh, well, c'est la vie", le théâtre c'est TA vie, Joseph.
ReplyDelete@Ivor - Agreed, it is certainly not the best of all possible worlds. I'll bounce back as I always do. It takes a lot to keep me down. Tell your friend to keep the faith.
ReplyDelete@Christelle - Yes, you are right. I will go to rehearsal. You know me too well.
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ReplyDeleteSorry I was re-reading what I wrote before and found out it was kind of confusing and did not help much so I deleted it. Hope you did not read that and I hope this helps more and sorry if it is kinda long. You should never give anyone the remote control of/to your life, meaning that you should not let anyone dictate whether you will go somewhere or not or how you should feel. You are giving them a win and this is your book called life there is only one writer YOU. Plus you were so jazd about this and you have worked so hard you should not ever think about throwing that away. It is also good you stood up for your rights and you should know that right there you did not only stand for you but for many people who feel like you do but have never seen the need to or are afraid to do anything. Also you aren't the one who should feel like less of a person it should be that person because you have done nothing wrong as my culture measures the value of a person by their virtue I wish you could speak my language I would write that proverb for you. So basically what I have taught myself to do when I meet these elements of a disastrous day is force myself to brush it off and smile even when I want to pounce on them then I just taught myself how to ignore and let them not affect my life then it kinda became my nature sorry I took so long but remember that yesterday is gone tomorrow is a clean slate with its own challenges so leave the worries of yesterday and live today to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Mueni. I completely agree with you about brushing off a bad day and moving on. I was actually debating not doing a video or posting about it at all and just letting it go completely, but then I realized that if I did a video about it on YouTube it might make other people think twice about doing such things.
ReplyDelete