Breathe
By Barbara Anderson
"What I would most like at school is for more classmates, not just Vero, to help me get out of my chair or invite me to play. Stella is 10 years old, lives with cerebral palsy and I met her this week at an event organized by Nacional Monte de Piedad, at Cemefi."It would have helped me if in high school the teacher understood that I could see very little and sat me near the blackboard and not in the last row," Naivi Luis, a blind chef and photographer who is part of my book (IN) Visibles, 24 stories of Mexicans with disabilities who fulfilled their dreams, told me.
Since my son Lucca, also with cerebral palsy, was born, I began the steep road of fighting for his rights, from having a diagnosis and access to therapies to going to school or enjoying a park.
I have worked in what is pompously known as "public advocacy", that is, trying to get injustices or lack of access resolved by reforming or implementing laws or changes to regulations.
I have knocked on many doors (and many tables) calling on public organizations and private companies to operate from common sense before saying NO to the obligation to be inclusive.
I have fought in the street, in government offices, at businessmen's desks, next to a ramp covered by a car, and even with other parents who don't understand that inclusion is for everyone, in everything, all the time.
I have been 13 years in this personal Sisyphus, where I have achieved many changes and improvements, but where I was also able to find the best way to break down barriers for people with disabilities: it's you.
Yes, you who are reading this text are the most important person to make a difference, to be the difference. It doesn't matter what you do, what your hobbies and fears are, your age or your economic position... it's you!
I'm looking into your eyes and I can notice your surprised face, that frown and now the raised eyebrow.
Of course it's you: you have all the power, authority and opportunity to change one or many lives.
It's almost a superpower you didn't know you had, but today I'm here to reveal it to you.
It only requires three skills: attention, patience and empathy.
Are you a student in a school? Approach a classmate who has a disability (visible or not, but that you know requires support) and ask them first if they need or want help, and then do it! Uff, you don't know what will happen from that moment on and how many lives you will change (I don't want to make a spoiler, but the first person to change will be you).
Are you a teacher? To activate the new superpower you must eliminate from your lexicon the phrase 'is that...'. No. Again: attention, patience and empathy. Ask the parents (who probably came to your classroom after a long Via Crucis through more schools): how can I help you? What does your child need to study? Can you help me to adapt to your child?
Uff, you don't know the residual effect of this yes, of this very powerful "yes I help you".
Do you work in a company? Find out if there are any employees with a life condition. If they tell you no, immediately (you know, to activate the superpower) you should say, "why not?" or "how about we start now?". Here again it's more a matter of common sense than of brainy human resources studies. People with disabilities know themselves best and know what and how you can help them. Follow their recommendations and uff, you don't know how much will change in the whole company from that moment on.
Are you in a customer service office? See if there is someone who needs help and just by helping them you will be helping yourself and many more people.
Traveling? Give up your seat and be supportive.Are you on the road? Give way and be supportive.Are you at an event? Move that person closer to where they feel more comfortable.Are you organizing an event/festival/forum/party? Check that it is an activity for everyone.no place to park except in a space dedicated to people with disabilities? Don't use it, wait for a while and don't occupy a space that someone else needs.See a person with a disability alone? Come closer, go with them.
I have seen more families, more people, more organizations change because of a "I help you" than because of heavy, nice and forgettable laws.
As Kennedy said: "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Ask not what the country can do for someone with a disability, but what you can do for yourself. Because you can, because today is the best day to start changing lives (starting with yours).
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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