Disabilities

Is anyone fully abled? Even the young athlete who can do everything physically can have intellectual and emotional weaknesses. The most limited paraplegic can be a world-famous physicist. I like the expression "differently-abled" to emphasize the variety of capabilities and limitations among human beings.

The Americans with Disabilities Act focuses on mobility problems. It requires public buildings to have ramps, railings and door-openers for wheelchairs and walkers. Handicap parking places are helpful as well as the elevators and escalators we all use.

But what do we do for the mentally handicapped? Those who are limited in mind and spirit need assistance, but it is harder to identify or provide. The obvious cases like Down Syndrome are easier than schizophrenia to recognize and assist.

Worse yet are disabilities that the disabled deny. It seems courageous to resist aid and make do with one's own resources, but they are not enough in many cases. Medicines that treat a psychical disability change one's life as much as a wheelchair does. Yet it is not wise to deny their assistance.

Yet another disability can come from medicines that are supposed to help those disabled by pain. In that case the relief from one kind of limitation can produce another: addiction.

We all need help in some ways. We all can give help in some ways. Let's recognize our disabilities and find ways to help others with theirs.