It has been 30 years, and I can still remember almost every “I’m sorry” when I share with someone that I am deaf-blind/visually impaired.
I remember those moments when people would say to me “I would rather be deaf than blind” as if disabilities are some cool pair of pants that either you like or don’t like.
This is why for years I wanted to be seen as “normal”. I was bullied not only for my disabilities but also for my musical interest.
There was one time in high school where there was a debate as to whether or not I could actually sing. The no’s argued that I could NOT sing because I sang that “classical stuff” and the yes’s were just people claiming Beyonce trained classically.
I tell you these things not to dishearten you but to give you a sense of reality that we, persons with disabilities, sometimes face. The unnecessary pity that is shown towards us. The complete dismissal of us when we shop and things are handed to the person we are with instead of us. The erasure of our sense of self.
All of these things have not and will NOT stop us. We are more than our diagnosis. We are athletes, we are teachers, we are lawyers, we are activists, we are scientists, we are creators, we are opera singers, and we refuse to have our lights dimmed.
I believe with continued outreach and education our community will have an abundance of citizens who know how to interact with persons with disabilities.
WE ARE NORMAL!!! We need not to adapt to the world, but the world should be adaptable to us and our needs so that equity is the goal. Thirty years is not a long time, but I have witnessed and been privileged to partake in the changes that have occurred since the ADA was enacted, and I am eternally grateful.
One of the pillars of disabilities and what makes us all unique is the spectrum of disabilities. We, persons with disabilities, are not a monolith, and when it comes to blindness and deafness, the spectrum is so wide. No one person is the same.
With my particular eye conditions, my vision fluctuates throughout the day. Some other blind people have sight in one eye and low vision in the other. Some see nothing. Some see colors. Some just see shapes; it just depends on that particular person. We all have different experiences with sometimes the same conditions.
What is normal? Why does society say that? Being normal is a societal construct that has led us to believe that we must fit into a mold; this brings about insecurities and disbelief in ourselves when in reality we have the MOST potential.
This also brings us into a commonality with one another with those who are disabled and those who are able-bodied. Simply, we all have insecurities, we all fight those fears, WE ALL are often bullied. The difference being for those of us who are disabled is that we face these challenges hourly in our daily lives, and yet we still RISE. We still Are determined to be our best selves and to fit into the “norm.”
An important part of being determined and strong is also the will to be an advocate for yourself and others. I am no perfect advocate; in fact, I am quite flawed. I am one of those people you listen to but maybe you don’t necessarily do as I do. I think there is a saying for that: “Do as I say and not as I do.”
However, I have worked, and I am still working on taking my own advice and advocating for myself more and being grateful for the advancement of technology that has allowed me to be heard and seen in this modern world we live in.
We are fortunate to live in a world where we now have access to each other and each other’s stories. I believe not too long ago there was a rumor that young people believed that Helen Keller did not exist. The fact that someone so prolific could be almost made into an imaginative figurehead is troubling. Our stories should be told, seen, heard, listened to, and learned from.
There are billions of humans on this planet, and none of us are the same. Due to that simple fact, we should not treat each other the same. We are all uniquely and beautifully made. Our stories matter. YOUR stories matter! Sit up, stand up, type, sing, dance, draw, and SPEAK OUT and make them hear you. We are SO MUCH more than the label of our diagnoses. Remember that!
Accessibility is a freedom denied so many in our country. Kindness is a freedom denied so many in our country. We must learn to share. I may not share my snack, but I will buy you your own snack without hesitation, so I too must work on sharing. Sharing is caring, sharing is love, and love is kindness.
The golden rule, “Treat others theway you want to be treated,” is thrown around so much, but how often do we actually think about following that rule? Persons with disabilities I think have a unique ability to sense when people live their lives with the golden rule as one of their core pillars of their personalities. However, throughout my travels to other countries, I have learned that kindness and human decency is so ABUNDANT! You all, we can make that happen here if we try. We really can.
Are you willing to help make our garden grow? We may not all be farmers, but we can all be helpers if we want to. I am a helper. Let me know if you are a farmer and need some assistance. Fellow humans, we got this!
Peace and Blessings.
Ms. Tyler Samuel
We are athletes, we are teachers, we are lawyers, we are activists, we are scientists, we are creators, we are opera singers, and we refuse to have our lights dimmed.
Who Am I?
I was born with congenital glaucoma, and I have a rare genetic condition called Harboyan syndrome.
I am a professional artist in Nashville, TN. My degree is in vocal performance from the University of Evansville.
I have served on several state boards and councils relating to disabilities, such as the Tennessee state rehabilitation council, the Nashville mayor’s advisory council on disabilities, the Tennessee deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing council, and the Tennessee Disability Coalition board.
