“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not
everything that can be counted counts.” (William Bruce Cameron). Our numbers do
not tell us what is most important but each of us counts.
The national Forum on Disability happened on September 28th
in Columbus Ohio. This was an important forum and most likely the only one held
on disability issues prior to the presidential election. There are many things
at stake for people with disability. Those who spoke were passionate, sincere
and respectful of those for whom they must serve. Others sent representatives
in their place to speak for them.
People with disabilities may not make up the largest voting
block. Some people may not vote due to accessibility or never being supported
in learning how. Many voting facilities are not particularly accessible as we
have discussed several times. The problem is, our leaders must take the time to
listen to all of the voices. Some voices are not heard through traditional
spoken language. They may use sign, pictures, symbols, Braille, eye-gaze etc.
It can take a lot longer to ask a question and have a conversation. You cannot tell by looking at someone who
they are, what they need or how to serve them well. This requires a direct
interaction.
We have come far in how access is provided to people. Gunnar
Dybwad & Hank Bersani talked about the new voices we must hear, cultivate
and support. Seeing the value in another human being cannot be directly taught.
It has to be experienced and lived. It does not seem that long ago when I was
working at a state school for people with developmental disabilities. I had the
privilege of working with those who were challenge on multiple levels. Only a
few spoke or walked. Many had been there since they are infants or young
children. Some of the staff raised them and cared for them as their own. It
took a great deal of time to get to know each person. As I did friendships
formed, unconventional communication occurred, learning activities were better
designed and there was much enjoyment in light of incredible hardship at times.
These individuals were born too late to benefit from most of the laws although
their living conditions had improved immensely. They taught me so much without
saying a word. Their voices were present for those who would listen. They did
not vote but they counted in ways which could not be measured. I remember assisting
in planning their funerals, providing the music and watching the responses of
their lifelong friends and residents at the services. I remember standing in
the basement of one of the buildings where the morgue was, looking in silence as
the person I had known lay on a metal table, covered and awaiting to move to
their final resting place. It is a feeling I will never forget. Someone should
watch over as they lay resting. They shouldn’t be alone. No matter what, the
life they lived counted and needed to be respected.
As one of many who assisted in establishing a now infamous
research library which was originally located at a state school for people with
disabilities, I had the humbling experience of going through the slides of
tissue which had been saved many years ago for research. Their voices could
still be heard in a different way. Their legacy and sacrifice counted. They
most likely never voted yet they were citizens who were silenced by those who
society choose to count. I looked at the graves at a State Hospital for people
with mental illness which only had numbers on them. No names were present yet
these voices need to be heard even now. They count and we need to listen. There
are many who have gone before us and many yet to come. We have to slow down and
take the time to listen. It does not matter if you are making a donation to a
candidate, part of a large voting group or just one individual, the people
running for office need to take the time to stop, listen to your voice and
think about how their actions impact people in ways they had never realized.
There are always unintended consequences to our actions, some being good and
some causing duress to others. The only way to know the impact of your actions
is to look, listen and respond to those who are on the receiving end.
We the people are the United States. You do not know who we
are by looking at us, assigning us a number or grouping us. Leaders stand
beside and as one of the people. Leadership is shared and it is we the people,
all the people who have the power to make change. Leaders must listen to the
most soft barely heard voices. For in these voices they will find lessons
learned that most of us can only stand in complete awe, humbled by the
strength, sacrifice and commitment each has demonstrated without recognition,
without yelling from the highest mountain. They live their life each day,
setting an example we all should pay much more attention to. Please listen to
the old, present and new voices. Who knows what wonderful things could come
from this!
No comments:
Post a Comment