This page is dedicated to the works of Jóna Rúna Kvaran.
Interesting people
Photo: Jón Þ. Sigurðsson
We are born into this world with different possibilities for action and being successful in life. Most of us are both mentally and physically of normal proportions and structure. Then there are some people who are in some way physically handicapped and therefore have to fight a much harder battle in life then those of us who are not disabled. Lack of hearing is one of the things some people have to deal with. If a deaf person is going to lead a life that comes so much easier to others, that person must learn how to speak with much more difficulty than most people, learn sign-language and how to read lips. Learning how to read is also a bigger struggle for the deaf then for the hearing. Therefore it is sure that the deaf person has to work much harder for things that the rest of us take for granted.
There certainly is not enough consideration towards this particular group of people, that not only have to deal with their disability but also a difficult and rigid system. People rarely think about the real efforts of this minority group which also has it´s rights and should be exposed to much more understanding and respect from those of us who are free of the obvious limits that are set for the deaf. Despite the odds, most of them seem to be able to really make something of themselves with hard work and courage.
The same applies to the blind and the multi-handicapped. People who are mentally intact but physically disabled can easily be assisted to overcome many obstacles if the people around them would not focus so much on their handicap but rather the possibilities they have. We sometimes do not even notice that the very existence and accomplishments of these people require great efforts. These people are obvious rolemodels for the rest of us.
Children who are in someway disabled are often picked out by their peers who don´t realise the strain they are under and therefore increase their problems. Perhaps because us adults don´t enlighten them of the importance of tolerance and understanding towards those who are different. Many children have been filled with despair and self-loathing because of the rejection they have expirienced from other children.
It is a great privilege to be born healthy and we must never forget that. It is also much easier to obtain certain things for those of us who are born healthy into this strange world, where people are blessed with different things at birth. Let us also not forget that those who are physically handicapped often suffer even more for their condition than those who are mentally handicapped. Of course there are exceptions to this as with everything else.
Us adults should talk to our children about this large group of people with an attitude of eqalitiy, so that our children will think it natural to include disabled kids in their games. It is a clear fact that there is much to learn from these courageous individuals. Let´s try to be worthy comrades to these fine men and women who refuse to let their disabilities lessen their chances for an interesting and successful life. We are always telling eachother how all minorities are so important. Live up to our talk.
It´s also fair to remind us of the simple fact that the parents of handicapped children often have to fight incredible battles for their children´s rights. There are often loopholes in the system that literally work against their good intentions. On top of that these parents often have to dry the tears from their children´s faces when they have been scorned by their peers because they can´t always do everything the other kids can.
Behaviour that hurts and encourages the making of low self-esteem in those who are handicapped is dishonourable and dangerous. If those of us who are older realised that life is the most precious thing every individual has, we would surely try our best so that people can live without others jugding them unfairly.
Finally I want to say this: an underdog is a person who refuses to live the life God has given him, even though that person is perfectly healthy, not a person who has learnt to make the best of his disability through faith and undaunted spirit and become a useful citizen despite his handicap.
Or as the wise psychologist once said: Our interest in other people should always be centered around the humanity of the person and not their outer appearences.”
Written by: Jóna Rúna Kvaran;
Translated by: Nína Rúna Kvaran;
