I wish I could change. . .

Would you want to live in a world where everybody is the same? Would you want to live in a world where everybody has the same abilities, strengths, weaknesses and thoughts? I would not want to live in this world because I think it would be so boring. Unfortunately, the physical environment of our world is built with the mindset that everyone is the same and even more unfortunate is that many people in our world still stigmatize disabilities. There are so many things that I wish I could change for those with disabilities in my life and internationally.

I wish I could change the stares from strangers and the questions to be more respectful. I was with a friend this weekend who has a physical disability. We were in the lobby of a movie theater and this man came up to her and started asking her all these questions about her injury. Why do people think it is their business how a stranger got injured?  

I wish I could change the mindset of potential employers to see every thing the person has to offer before judging their disability and what they can and cannot do. The job search process was one of the hardest things I have ever been through because I felt so judged for my disability. 

I wish I could change the physical environment of our world to make every building, every sidewalk and every road accessible  to people with physical disabilities. I would love for people with physical disabilities to be able to go out and not have to think about if their destination will be accessible. 

I wish I could let every person with a disability know they are not alone in their everyday fight to get through the day with their challenges. Today was definitely one of those days for me where I was fighting  with my vision and speech. 

I am so lucky to be surrounded everyday by people who understand my challenges and therefore most of all I wish I could help everybody find a community where they are accepted. 

Written by 
Sydney Breslow 

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