Disable discrimination against all people

It seems our society is poorly educated about the importance of showing respect toward all human beings, especially the mentally disabled.

Most people don't realize that even though a mentally disabled person may be slower in movement, speech, or even have facial distortion, they can still see the reactions of those around them. They can see if someone is rolling their eyes because they are becoming impatient with them because of communication difficulties. They can see people gesturing to one another or making rude insinuations just because they, the disabled, are different. This hurts, and it is the same hurting that you and I may sometimes feel, except this hurting is deeper.

Life for the disabled is not as cute, funny nor magical as some Hollywood movies, like "Forest Gump," portray it:

Shirin A. is 30 years old. She was born with severe dysphasia, a disability which causes slowness of speech, comprehension and motor skills. On the whole, Shirin's behavior is often naive and childlike.

Recently, Shirin tried to exchange something at Walgreen's in Westlake Shopping Center. She could not understand the store's policies as explained to her by the store's assistant manager. The assistant manager became impatient, angry and ultimately quite rude.

Shirin decided to leave, but then came back to the store to apologize to the assistant manager, who told Shirin to leave the store or the police would be called.

The situation escalated. Shirin, being provoked, began yelling and finally struck the assistant manager, causing her to fall.

The assistant manager was not injured, but Shirin was taken away by the police and the assistant manager has filed criminal charges.

Shirin has never been convicted nor has she ever struck anyone, yet she is now being tried in criminal court. She could possibly end up in jail. This is how we treat those less fortunate than us?

Those who cannot fend for themselves are just left in the streets to rot. The average amount of a monthly Social Security Insurance check "granted" to the mentally disabled is only $600. And thanks to the Reagan years, when the federal mental health budget cutbacks began, the mentally ill now make up approximately 70 percent of the homeless population.

We can choose to see in life what we want to see, and be bothered only by what affects us personally. It is, however, time we opened our eyes to the needs of others. There are small ways to make a difference: If you see someone in a similar situation to Shirin's, offer a hand -- maybe you could help one or both understand what's going on.

Also, I would encourage everyone not to do business at stores that do not honor the Americans with Disabilities Act. The disabled have the right to be treated with the same courtesy and respect as any other person. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way.

[ Golden Gater Online December 12, 1995 ]

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