Let’s talk about Ignorance

On By soniaandthefxboysIn Uncategorized

“A lack of knowledge or information”

Ignorance is bliss or so they say, however Jack can read body language and knows when someone is staring, looking, making a face or a comment about him.  His reaction to this is to often hand clap in that persons face, not good and can be quite frightening to that person, but do I have sympathy?  No I don’t.  Watching adults give my son a ‘wide berth’ or worse grabbing their children so they are not near him is sad and hurtful and from my point of view disgusting behaviour.

As a nation we are so judgemental, whether it’s a snide comment about someone’s weight, or similar, but disabled children and adults with physical and learning disabilities are the brunt of abuse from a lot of ignorant people including children.

WHY IS THIS?

I understand that as a parent with children with disabilities I have more patience and tolerance, I also like to think I know not to talk to a child or  an adult as if they are stupid, but to communicate clearly and sometimes slowly so their brain can digest our conversation.

Is this a skill learnt through my own children, would I be ignorant if my life was different?

IMG_3536Seeing this grown man on a beach at first glance he just looks incredibly handsome, but within seconds you will see he is talking to his teddy Sweep, giving him love and sharing his picnic and Hello magazine with him.  People around him continue to stare, with no understanding that this affects his happiness and his anxieties kick in.

Why don’t people engage with me?  I would love someone to make conversation and ask me about Jack, but no one ever does.

Are we really this ignorant that we cannot see he is just having a lovely time chilling on the beach?  Are you really scared of this young man?

Did you know there are over 11 million people registered as disabled in the UK.

Nearly 40% of people believe the disabled are a social burden.

More than 60% of people say they avoid the disabled because they do not know how to behave around them.

Each day in the UK, 180 disability hate crimes are reported – this is shocking.

So my wish….. let’s start being more tolerant…… the ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with. 

Maybe we will then have more people accepting that we are different, we are not all the same and we can actually live in harmony with each other.

In the words of Christina Aguilera

You are beautiful
No matter what they say
Words can’t bring you down
Oh no
You are beautiful
In every single way
Yes words can’t bring you down
Oh no
So don’t you bring me down today

And looks and stares should not bring you down either!

@Christina Aguilera

Disability figures @ http://www.disabilitysport.org.uk

@Hello

2 thoughts on “Let’s talk about Ignorance”

  1. Funnily enough, I was having a similar conversation with a friend about ignorance in society towards those with a disability just the other day. I don’t know what the answer is but I wish it wasn’t like this. I always wish people would engage with me as well rather than stare and make their own assumptions. I enjoyed reading, thank you xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hello and thanks for the read and I am glad you enjoyed. I have step daughters and have been lucky that they have taught their children about the boys disabilities and how to talk and be themselves around them which is so important as they have not shied away from other children and adults with disabilities that they have met.

      Looking forward to your next blog too xx

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment