People with disabilities are becoming more visible in many walks of life – in politics and the media, for example. This is instrumental in improving children’s perceptions of what they can achieve.
could to stand out and be different, I was desperate to be ‘normal’ and fit in. Growing up with a disability, I received a lot of attention. People in the street would often stare at me, make comments and ask my parents, “What’s wrong with her?” I had days when I was able to brush it off, but no amount of resilience or family support can stop that from affecting you. I developed extremely low selfesteem and poor body image, made worse because I was significantly overweight. I found exercise difficult, and like many girls my age, I ate to comfort myself. I had also internalized the medical terminology that was used to describe me – in particular the word ‘deformed’ (I had a curvature of the spine, since corrected). When I was 14, I developed an eating disorder, partly because I wanted to lose weight – but also because my weight felt like one aspect of my physical appearance that I could actually control. Although I had incredibly supportive family and friends, being disabled was never something I viewed as a positive thing. I thought I had to overcome it, like adversity. I became obsessed with being as ‘undisabled’ as possible, and I was
convinced that if I could walk, my life would be a lot better. Ironically, although I no longer use a wheelchair, in many ways I feel more aware of my disability than ever. People still make comments about me because I have small stature, and make assumptions about my life and ability; I always have to prove myself, particularly in the workplace. Though I am not defined by my disability, it has been pivotal in shaping who I am and what I have achieved. Having a disability is now something I embrace: I no longer see it as a negative thing or something I should be embarrassed about. In many ways being disabled has worked to my advantage and created opportunities that might never have been available to me – like writing this article.
People with disabilities are becoming more visible in many walks of life – in politics and the media, for example. This is instrumental in improving children’s perceptions of what they can achieve. When I was growing up, the only role model I had was Stevie Wonder. I admired him because he was a successful and respected musician despite being blind. However, it would have helped me to see people with disabilities doing everyday jobs – as teachers, doctors or shopkeepers. I think that would also have helped my parents. My mum said that when I was a child, she tried not to think about my future because it made her scared. She knew that I was capable but feared that my options would be limited.
Every child’s experience is different. I come from a lowermiddle-class family in the United Kingdom, where I had access to free health care and a good education. But I strongly believe that the issues of belonging, self-esteem and aspiration transcend such distinctions as gender, class and nationality. To develop a greater sense of self-worth, children with disabilities need the opportunity to participate and contribute in all aspects of their lives.
As it turns out, my disability has not prevented me from achieving any of the important things. I am a qualified social worker, passed my driving test when I was 16, left home when I was 19 and have lived and worked in Asia and Africa. In the future I hope to be an advocate for children with disabilities on an international level, as I passionately believe in the inalienable human rights and untapped potential of these children.
INTRODUCTION
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