Posted at http://danni-being-bad-blog.blogspot.com/ on 27th March, 2008.
That is a very good point that able-bodiedness is indeed subjective. We can look to the work of Stephen Hawking to point out that a man who is deemed disabled in terms of the majority has indeed proven himself considerably gifted and incredibly able in other areas. Likewise, you are correct in saying paralympic athletes are very much able in their particular pursuits. Unfortunately, however, we do live in a world where there is constant need for generalisation and our debates would become never ending pursuits of 'chasing our own tail' if we do not draw a line somewhere. For that reason, although Stephen Hawking is indeed a brilliant mind and his work deserves commendation, it is correct in my mind to state that if you left him without assistance and 3 miles from civilisation in the Sahara desert for a length of time, he would have far less a chance of surviving than someone who is deemed able bodied in the general eyes of society. It is a shame, but true.
1 comment:
I understand what you’re saying, almost ‘survival of the fittest’? Yes we have to draw the line somewhere which I suppose is why there are many guidelines in this country followed to officially consider someone as ‘disabled’. However we don’t really live in a society where (like the wolves you mentioned before) it is necessarily survival of the fittest, in fact some of the most physically and mentally challenged people have great chances to survive and, furthermore they lead fulfilling and successful lives. We don’t have to compete for essential resources (food, etc), all they need is the right support, which society nowadays is modern enough to provide.
For example, someone with TB isn’t considered as disabled as it can be treated successfully in a matter of months, yet without the right treatment, leaving them out in the desert as you suggested, they will surely die. My comment being, everyone can be at a disadvantage at some point in their lives, without being considered as disabled. As society changes, surely both our accommodation of people’s needs and our definition of what is ‘disabled’ should be adjusted.
Post a Comment