Penetrating Barriers, Breaking Stereotypes.

A couple of days ago, I had an interesting discussion with an acquaintance. I have had this type of conversation too many times that when I was casually asked about my day some few days ago, I didn't pay much attention to it to mean anything special except to give the usual same ole kind of reply

I think I had to pause and reflect when the next question hit me.

I was asked where I work and before I could reply, the person answered their own question with " are you a hair dresser or tailor"?

And I asked ' what made you think I am one of those?'

And the rejoined was ' Well, I know that is what many deaf and disabled people do'.

And I was like hmmm. Then I asked again, ' Is it a foregone conclusion that everyone with a form of disability must end up doing only such jobs?'

And the answer was 'well, that's what I know they seem to do and are encouraged to do".

I didn't elaborate because I was tired after an especially long day and I didn't want to have a lengthy discussion.

Don't get me wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with any of the above jobs. In fact without these jobs, I couldn't enjoy beautifully crafted dresses or hairstyles.

But I find it absolutely very to wrong that many continue to assume that this is the only sure thing people with disabilities can do.

I found it wrong that because of this assumption and mentality, many people with disabilities are constantly being put into a box and are cheated out of the opportunity to unleash themselves and reach their full potentials.

I was actually shocked in a sad kind of way that in 2024, our community still feels people with disabilities do not amount to much and can only do what are considered mundane jobs, not because that is what they love to do but because society decided to put them into a lump box and say this is what you have to do and so you dare not dream beyond that.

Each time I have heard someone ask me if I am a tailor or hairdresser because they realize that I do not year well, I would shrug it off or try to explain what I do but for some reason, after this most recent encounter, I couldn't help thinking about the impenetrable barriers that people with varied disabilities encounter in life daily because of such stereotypical mindsets many hold.

And I couldn't help feeling even more sad thinking about the bright lights that have been dimmed even before they had the chance to see the light by a society that keeps looking down on a certain group of individuals because of their perceived disabilities.

And to be honest, if the fixture is only on what is visible then the person fixated on that is the ones with the real disability because their fixation on what is seen has limited them from looking beyond and seeing the bigger picture. Of looking beyond and seeing the need to create opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive. Of being unable to grasp the simple Truth starring them in the face daily that a physical disability is not a mental disability... That the fact that someone can have a physically visible disability doesn't cloud their power of reason and ability to thrive and achieve the unthinkable if only they are given a chance.

And thus, as I reflected on that conversation, I had to pause and see how blessed I am that my family dared to be different. That they dared to see my potential and not my challenges and because of this, I am here today, equally daring to challenge stereotypes, penetrate these impenetrable barriers and dare to stand up and claim by place on that table because my voice and presence matters... because I deserve to be seen as a person with a thought process and not just a statistics needed to complete a project report.

That discussion made me think about the huge potential being buried daily because of wings clipped even before they could learn to fly a society that has decided that once this box is made, just fit into it and forget anything else.

In this era of disability inclusion being trumpeted all over, I had to again pause and ask myself, when people with disabilities are rather boxed into a corner with already concluded jobs or skills they are to learn long before they were born and diagnosed, what becomes of representations? How could they be able to step up, climb those stairs and reclaim their places on this table of inclusion when they are not provided with the right tools to grow and thrive and let their voices be heard?

And again, as I reflected even more on that incident I came to realize that parroting inclusion isn't only that which needs to be done. There's a need to invest in and create an enabling environment where people with different disabilities aught to stay not only to go through the routine daily mundane task of living but also to be able to thrive and grow.

Thinking about all these makes me sad because it shows clearly how much more work needs to be done to reach this stage of creating inclusive, meaningful spaces.

People with disabilities are an untapped gold mind full of potential waiting for the right resources to be put in place for them thrive, to give them the opportunity to grow beyond these stereotypes, scattering them in wake.

And that is why I will continue to advocate for inclusive spaces and giving those with disabilities the opportunity to raise their voices in all the places that matter. Together it is possible and doable because it takes sa few committed people to set the ball rolling and impenetrable barriers getting broken.

And broken, they will be. One at a time.