Face it, we've all seen it; a person with a mental illness. Weather we chose to ignore it or acknowledged it is a different story. Personally, whenever a situation like this occurs, I feel some sort of tension between the two. Weather its due to embarrassment or sympathy for the individual tension is always present. For some reason, we don't view these individuals as normal people. We see them as "different" or "special" and personally, that it something I would like to change. Of course ones actions are going to differ then when ones around someone without a disability, but that doesn't mean we can't treat them like people and with respect, something that I feel lacks sometimes. Isn't that what we all want, respect? So why can't people with disabilities get our respect? In of Mice and Men, it was evident that Lennie was treated differently by some people when all he ever wanted was to be "one of the guys".
As a teenager, everyday I am surrounded by friendly insults such as 'fag' or 'queer'. The one word that several teenagers, including myself use on a regular basis is 'retard'. In its context, it is used to describe either someones actions, thoughts, or sayings in which another person thought was stupid. It has come to the point for several people where it has become apart of our vocabulary and it just slips off the tongue so easily. When we use this word to describe someone, we are not showing the respect to people who actually have mental illnesses and are retarded. Therefore, if we don't show respect to others, how can others respect us?
People must come to the understanding that a mental disability does not just have an impact on the person affected, but on the people closest to the effected. Let me share a story:
In grade two, I was friends with this girl, who had a brother with a mental disability. Often times, the immaturity of people got the best of them and they would make him do some 'stupid' things. Seeing her brother suffer like that, got to her emotionally. For the longest time, she suffered socially, being to embarrassed to converse with people in fear the situation with her brother would be brought up. This situation is similar to that of George and Lennie's. In the beginning of their relationship, George often teased Lennie and got him to do some stupid actions. "If I told him to jump in a lake, he'd do it even though he couldn't swim". Then George realized what he had done and the guilt kicked in. This is why he looked out for him, as he did not want others to take advantage of him the same way he took advantage of Lennie.
Perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, ordiscouragement. In my opinion, Lennie, and any person who struggles with some sort of disability shows some sort of perseverance throughout the course of their life. We don`t often notice it, as to us, the everyday things we do seem easy. Take reading for example, most of us have somewhat mastered the tool in our elementary school years. For people with disabilities, these simplest tasks seem like climbing a mountain. This is why perseverance is needed. Inch by inch, word by word, they slowly but surly make it up the mountain until they have hit the peak. Often times when I'm in a situation where I feel like i can`t accomplish what I had set out to do and feel like giving up, I use this example as inspiration. Sure I`m not going to get it on the first try, but inch by inch i`ll reach the top of my mountain.
In conclusion, all people want is respect, therefore it is our duty as a person in society to ensure all people are respected no matter of race, sexual orientation, or mental capability. We must come to the understanding that everyone is equal and therefore should be treated equally. Also, not only is the person with the disability affected, but their loved ones are affected as well.
Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish.
- Albert Einstein
- Albert Einstein
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