Fundacja Równi, Choć Różni

ul. Śnieżna 22 Międzygórze
tel. (0) 693 339 717
57-530 Międzylesie
www.rownichocrozni.org
fundacja@rownichocrozni.org

Patrons

Friends

We and You

We often live next to you. Sometimes we are your next-door neighbors. However, it often happens that you have no idea about our existence or you don't perceive us as normal people. Why is that? Does it have to be like that?

We come to the world just like you. Like everybody, we are born in pain, we cry and feel hunger. Differences appear somewhere else: sometimes we look a bit different (it's good because there is too much mediocrity in the world); sometimes we have a wheelchair instead our legs (but thanks to it we can move faster); sometimes we scream, not in anger, but only because God made us this way (He may have wanted us to drown out all the evil of the world); sometimes we are silent (probably to be able to hear flowers); sometimes we are deaf (but then we can see the world through pink glasses). There are some more trifles, which only you worry about. Well, sometimes we want to say that it is you who are blind and deaf to the truth of the world.

It is very easy to complain about one's fate or bad luck in life. It is so easy: to reduce everything to ourselves. Contemplating one's navel is so pleasant. However, we have to disappoint those who think like that. Actually, people are herd beings; their development depends on living among others. Let's try to realize that there must be someone who will offer us their helping hand, who will comfort us in hard times but also someone who will share our success. There must be someone with eyes full of joy, which will give us strength to cope with new obstacles.

It is a big mistake that you think of us - the disabled - as of those who can only take but cannot give anything in return. Such attitude towards our existence backs everybody into a corner. Disabled people often need help, it is obvious. But it should also be obvious that they can give help as well. Of course, we cannot help our neighbor to build his house, but we can, for example, look after his children. Help us to be productive. Do not limit our access to workplaces. Give us your helping hand when you see us fighting with another step. Some of us don't leave their homes because they are afraid of your looks and mocking smiles. It must be changed as quickly as possible.

We understand and fully accept your right to fear. It is natural that the man is afraid of what he doesn't understand. You also say: 'I won't help because I can't' or 'I won't help because I'm afraid of hurting'. We are also afraid. Fear is natural and as an old proverb says: only fools are not afraid. However, fear is one of the things that can be controlled. In order to do it, one must find the source of the fear and eliminate it gradually.

However, we shouldn't only blame our fears. Sometimes you don't help, because you simply don't want to. Laziness is the biggest problem of our society and it also applies to us. We shut ourselves in our homes saying that the world is not yet ready to accept us. It is not true, we have to overcome such attitude. It is hard to say: 'I'm starting to live right now'. But isn't it worth trying to make our presence be noticed? Co-operation between us can create a chance of development. It can open millions of doors, whose existence has not been noticed so far. It can overcome steps and make mountain peaks be in reach of our hands. On the wings of tolerance we can get to the world full of love and understanding. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Pawel Błachowicz
p.blachowicz@rownichocrozni.org