Taking a stand!

At this point of my life I understand that not all people are good, not all people are happy, and not all people are understanding. I also understand, that for the rest of my life, some people will look down upon me, think they’re better than me, and believe that I cannot accomplish anything, all because of the accessory I roll with.

An example of this, was when I was leaving work to go run an errand. I was in such a great mood. Happy beyond belief. Nothing was going to ruin my high of happiness. Upon boarding the bus to reach my destination, the MTA driver seemed as if he was not in a good mood. He yelled at me when boarding. He yelled “What’s the rush? Can’t you see I am trying to make space for you?” I was a bit taken back, but I did not respond in the same manner. As I said, I was in a really good mood. I nodded my head, and told the driver “No problem, I was just positioning myself to a board.” While the driver was making space, I was still outside of the bus, on the ramp, when a man from inside told me to come in. As I entered, still nowhere near the driver, for I was still near the doors, the driver yelled at me once more. This time putting on a show, and expecting for me not to respond. The driver yelled out “honestly, what’s the rush? OKAY PEOPLE, BACK IT UP, BACK IT UP, SHES IN A RUSH!!!”

Let me make this clear, he was not saying this in a joking manner. He was being sarcastic and condescending, something I am not okay with. As the educated woman that I am, a woman who was taught to still show respect, I responded., “was that necessary? why the show? This man here said for me to come in, and I am still no where near you for you to speak to me as such. Honestly, God bless you!” For a brief second I was upset. No one likes to be spoken down upon, but then I remembered that I was in a really good mood, and he was not going to ruin it. I decided to just leave it in God’s hands. As I got off the bus, I thank the driver and said “as I said earlier, may God continue to bless you. You, have a nice afternoon!”

Though I have been a wheelchair for pretty much my entire life, it still doesn’t seem to surprise me when I get into situations as this. We live in a world, where there are about 56.7 million persons with physical disabilities. That is about 19% of the population. I’m pretty sure, people know, knew, or have seen a person of physical disabilities. I do not not understand the rudeness, I do not understand the hate, and I do not understand why there isn’t any compassion. What I do know, is that God made me Born To Stand Out, and I will do just that. I will take all that I have learned, from experience, my parents, and schooling, and use that to educate, protect, and stand up for those who are like myself. We are not nobodies, and we are not worthless. We are people! We remarkable PEOPLE!