I decided to help out at a clinic in the disabled children section, even thought I feared I would not be able to find ways to contribute. And so far I learned that you don't have to overthink it. Just be there to entertain them, talk with them (spanish at work!), play with them, especially when they are left alone.
I got to realize how lucky I was as a child but I also got to address what we could call the "disabled taboo". When you come across someone with a visible disability, even with the best intentions of the world, it is often awkward. We should just behave normally, and say hi if there is eye contact!
I assume many people feel the same way, and the problem I had so far is that this need of a special reaction made me look at these persons in a different way (as they behave according to there disabilities), and I was even unconsciously assuming they had different feelings or thoughts than most people's. And this made me think the reaction is justified somehow, and it is pretty much a vicious circle.
Nevertheless, I got to meet a teenager, Manuel, with both mental and physical disabilities, and he broke this circle as he made me realized that it is not the case at all. However, it is indeed harder to find a way to express their feelings. Appearances can be really deceptive and i got one more confirmation today as Manuel actually spoke to me in English. He also happens to like poetry (he writes some in English and Spanish), and plays the guitar!
In conclusion, being with kids and teenagers makes it easy to open up and it is hopefull to see how easy connexions are made through their disabilities. The hospital is doing a great job by taking care of them and stimulating them, but the service can't deal with all the children at the same time. So i feel really good about playing with them, taking them outside. I learn a lot about myself and the interaction between human beings, but the greatest award is to see smiles on their faces :)
By: Adrien Depaillat
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