We Have a Choice.

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We have a choice. People with disabilities do not.

We, the fortunate ones feel disabled because COVID-19 is depriving us of our dose of fun: going to work, the gym, eating out, clubs, coffee shops, pubs, NBA games, golfing, soccer, outdoor concerts, carnival, swimming, group cycling and the shopping mall.

Yes, going to work is fun. We just never realized it until 2020, the COVID-19 year. We enjoy these activities because we are healthy, our two legs take us to the store or a walk around the park.  

Transport. We have a choice. We can drive, take the bus or train. We can even cycle to the neighbourhood basketball court. What am I going to wear today? We also have a choice between sandals, flip flops, heels or sneakers. We can dress ourselves.

Some people with disabilities because of nature, accidents or advanced age cannot dress themselves. They also wear special shoes to correct their disability or clothes to suit their situation for example, trouble with chewing.

We take showers when we like. They don’t have that choice. They are in special homes that help them take a bath, brush their teeth, dress and sit on a wheelchair or motorized chair.

Then nature calls. We, the able-bodied ones, look for the signs MEN and WOMEN then go in and do our business. Mission accomplished and such a relief!

It is not something that gives us sleepless nights. It is, for people with disabilities. Most public buildings in Canada have special washrooms with steel bars and special toilet seats to cater for them.

That is why most institutions that look after people with disabilities love taking them to shopping malls for outings. They become part of the larger society, see kids running around, have coffee in the food mall or just sit on benches. When nature calls, workers push wheelchairs into the designated washrooms.

COVID-19 is an inconvenience for us, but we cannot describe it as making us feel disabled. We don’t know how it feels to have other people do things for us, even private things like going to the washroom.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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