As I was posting yesterday's poem I remembered the credo for support that was brought to my attention a few years ago. The two poems go hand in hand.
Throughout history, people with physical and mental disabilities have been abandoned at birth, banished from society, used as court jesters, drowned and burned during The Inquisition, gassed in Nazi Germany, and still continue to be segregated, institutionalized, tortured in the name of behavior management, abused, raped, euthanized, and murdered. Now, for the first time, people with disabilities are taking their rightful place as fully contributing citizens. The danger is that we will respond with remediation and benevolence rather than equity and respect. And so, we offer you
A Credo for Support
Do Not see my disability as the problem.
Recognize that my disability is an attribute.
Do Not see my disability as a deficit.
It is you who see me as deviant and helpless.
Do Not try to fix me because I am not broken.
Support me. I can make my
contribution to the community in my own way.
Do Not see me as your client.
I am your fellow citizen.
See me as your neighbour.
Remember, none of us can be self-sufficient.
Do Not try to modify my behavior.
Be still & listen. What you define as
inappropriate may be my attempt to
communicate with you in the only way I can.
Do Not try to change me, you have no right.
Help me learn what I want to know.
Do Not hide your uncertainty behind "professional" distance.
Be a person who listens and does not take my struggle away from me by trying to make it all better.
Do Not use theories and strategies on me.
Be with me.
And when we struggle with each other, let that give rise to self-reflection.
Do Not try to control me. I have a right to my power as a person.
What you call non-compliance or manipulation may actually be the only way I can exert some control over my life.
Do Not teach me to be obedient, submissive and polite.
I need to feel entitled to say No if I am to protect myself.
Do Not be charitable towards me.
The last thing the world needs is another Jerry Lewis.
Do Not try to be my friend. I deserve more than that.
Get to know me, we may become friends.
Do Not help me, even if it does make you feel good.
Ask me if I need your help.
Let me show you how you can assist me.
Do Not admire me.
A desire to live a full life does not warrant adoration.
Respect me, for respect presumes equality.
Do not tell, correct, and lead.
Listen, support, and follow.
Do not work on me.
Work with me!
In Memory of Tracy Latimore
(A Credo of Support – Written by Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift © 1995).
To watch the videos-
1. Author reading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKCxwDF-SrI
2. With People First/people with disabilities talking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wunHDfZFxXw
0 comments:
Post a Comment