It's really difficult to define what is disability and who is disabled, and while I'm thinking about this topic, I remembered a Japanese man. Does anyone know Ototake Hirotada? He was born in 1976, with no arms and legs. Everyone must think he is a severely disabled person from physical perspective and cannot spend normal life, but he went to public school as ordinary people and graduated from one of the famous universities in Japan. Now he is working as a journalist and has two sons. He says "Disability is inconvenient, but it's not a misery". He is a disabled person, but I cannot think he is disabled at all and feel like there is no need to define the border between disabled and non-disabled.
Toshiki Sunasaka
Toshiki-I have heard of him actually, but not in much detail. I love that quote of his, I agree completely. I have found that with my disability, I have developed a certain amount of inner-strength and perseverance that has helped me in so many other aspects of my life, and for that-I am so incredibly thankful I have those two characteristics/life skills.
ReplyDeleteSo when you say that you feel there is no need to define the border between the disabled and non-disabled, is that a personal opinion? Do you think the rest of American society would agree with you?