My Day With a Disability

By Samantha Greder

Many of us are very lucky but we don't realize how lucky we actually are. That is just one of the many facts learned on March 18 at Zion Lutheran school. The 6-8th graders got to learn what having a disability was like. Some kids were assigned wheelchairs and walkers; others got to be blind, deaf, and even mute. I learned that with these disabilities it makes my life more difficult. They also got to have helpers that would help them and when I was a helper I got to see the disability through a different point of view.

I was in a wheelchair and boy, that was tough. I learned that people in wheelchairs could not just go or do as ever they please. Getting from class to class took more time and I had obstacles to face. I was very glad I had a helper. Whenever I wanted to do some thing I was faced with obstacles and I realized that even though you may think it would be fun to be in a wheelchair, it's not- not if you would have to be in it all the time.

One thing I learned is that people with real disabilities want to be treated just like everyone else. They are still human beings and have feelings just like everyone else. I felt kind of weird when everyone was trying to get or do things for me. I wanted to try myself.

I learned different things that day and I really enjoyed helping the people with disabilities. I felt good knowing that I was helping someone and I knew that they appreciated it just like I did when I was faced with my disability.

We are very lucky to be able to walk, speak, hear, and see. I probably would not have appreciated it as much if I didn't know what it was like to be faced with a disability that some people may have for the rest of their life. I thank the Mosaic people very much and all the people that donated the wheelchairs and walkers.

People are faced with these barriers every day and they don't like being treated different from everyone else. The Mosaic group had a point when they said that people want to be a part of groups instead of apart just because they are a little different.

Inclusion

By Demi Yeager

Having disabilities makes people feel apart from the world. It makes people feel sheltered, and others may view them as helpless. For a day, I was given the opportunity to see what it would be like to need to use crutches to help myself walk. I could barely carry my books, let alone my lunch tray. I also had to make sure that my crutches weren't in anyone's way during classes. My goal for the day was not to slip and fall. My partner, Karrie, was always willing to help, but I knew that I was supposed to learn to adjust to life with this disability.

I had trouble opening doors, going down stairs and finding a comfortable way to sit, even though my leg was wrapped up in towels and was getting very hot. I was told many times to "hurry up!" or to "get out of the way!" Many people voice their rude comments when I passed them in the hallway, and some comments were accompanied by bad looks.

Though my disability only lasted for about three hours, I can only imagine what it would be like to have to use crutches every day of your life. During lunch that day, I asked my teacher why someone with a leg problem, like the one I was experiencing, wouldn't prefer to use a wheelchair instead of crutches. He told me that people who use crutches want to be more independent. These people use their legs despite their disability. Little people would rather use crutches then have to have a wheelchair because they can get to places that people in wheelchairs can't.

When I wasn't using the crutches myself, my partner was using them. I had to help her carry her books and help open doors for her. I learned that it takes teamwork to get around when you first start using crutches. I bet that if I had to use them everyday of my life, I would be a pro. When a lady from Mosaic unwrapped my leg after my period of time with the disability, I ran and jumped and danced around the gym because it felt great to be able to have use of both my legs again.

Mosaic's theme, which is "inclusion" wants people with disabilities to feel like they are truly part of this community, school, and world. When you see someone with a disability, don't yell at them to "hurry up" or make a bad remark about them. They are people just like you, so treat them like you would like to be treated. And remember what life would be like in the shoes of someone with a disability.

Treat Others Equally

By Joel Yeager

When I was disabled for a day I felt very awkward and confused because I didn't have any idea or clue where I was, where other people were and what was going on around me because I was blind.

If I had to be blind for the rest of my life if it wasn't at birth, I would literally hate it. I enjoy being able to see colors and to be able to run around without worry of running into objects or people.

In class, I wasn't able to do any of my schoolwork because I couldn't write, let alone know where my papers, notebooks, books, or even pencils were.

I am glad though, that I had friends ready and willing to help me with my disability; otherwise my day would have been nearly impossible. I feel that blind persons and others with disabilities should not feel alone, for there is always someone ready to help you, comfort you, or just be a good friend to you.

People with disabilities should not quit doing what they love to do just because of a disability. Whether you are the best at something or not, or something might become difficult for you now or later in life because of a disability, you should never give up. If you have an injury that prohibits you from playing a sport (short or long-term), stops you from driving your own car, or even living by yourself- just know that someone out there also shares your hardship.

And to people without disabilities, do not treat people with them any different that you would another person and help them if you are seeing them struggle to do something or even just talk to them and let them know that you are there for them if they ever need help.

Just remember, you could be healthy now, but in an instant you could be that person you see in a wheelchair, the blind man walking down the sidewalk, the woman struggling to go down a flight of stairs because of crutches or a walker, or the child struggling in school because of a learning disability.