This
week we were asked to speak on an incident when experienced bias, prejudice,
and/or oppression, or witnessed someone else as the target of bias, prejudice,
and/or oppression. This was a difficult assignment for me because although I am
sure I have experienced these at some point or another in my life, nothing
really stood out for me. Maybe I am fortunate that none of the events left a
permanent emotional scar.
The one event that comes to mind
took place during my senior year of undergraduate studies in college. I was
diagnosed with lupus at the age of 19. At the age of 21 I suffered from
multiple blood clots and had to be hospitalized. After my stay at the hospital,
I needed to be on crutches for a while. My doctor suggested getting handicap
license plates for my car and keeping them permanent being that the lupus could
flare at any time. I agreed. Well, one morning I was running late to class and was
looking for a parking space. My university is in the heart of a city so parking
was very limited. I was lucky and found a handicap space in front of the
building where my class was held. As I set my alarm on my car, an owner of one
of the many food trucks lined up across the street, started yelling at me. He told
me I should be ashamed of myself for taking that spot because I was not
handicap. (I was off of the crutches by this time.)
He said I was taking the spot away
from a real handicap individual. He called me a few other unpleasant names as
well. I tried to explain to him that I was handicap, but he did not believe me because
I did not “look” the part. I felt horrible, embarrassed, and offended all at
the same time. I brushed him off (praying he would not deface my car) and went
on to class. Unfortunately, that is something I will never forget.
Obviously, the food truck owner
would have to change in this situation. Every handicap individual does not “look”
handicap. I think that is a horrible stereotype that so many people have. There
are plenty of reasons an individual may have handicap license plates. People need
to get that stereotype of their minds and just accept people for who they are.
Ms. Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI agree that people do not always look handicapped even though they have disabilities. In this situation, the man should have not jumped to conclusions or made the rude statements. If you have a handicapped sticker, then people should not expect you to be in a wheelchair to park. Thank you for sharing this story.
I am sorry to read that you had to go through that. People can be rude you know. When we (society) think of the term handicap, we think of wheel chairs, breathing machines, and etc. My husband fell while playing basketball and broke a bone in his foot a few moths ago and was provided a handicap sticker from the hospital. For a while he could not drive so I drove him around. He was on crutches until after his surgery. We received a few stares as well. No one ever said anything to us personally but looks can say a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story.
I also agree that people do not always look handicapped even though they have disabilities. I have a hearing disability and wear a hearing aid but if I didn't tell you and show you my aid no one would ever know. I also agree that the driver should have not made such rude statements against you. He didn't know the whole truth. We never really know a person situation just by looking at them. Great post!
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