“Living a life with disabilities is an adventure,” – Nicholas Gilley

December 3rd was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This holiday helps promote awareness, and promote unity within the community, and provide potential friendships with those that who are not disabled and those that are.

The Kearns Cougar Claw had an interview in the Special Educational Class, with Brian Zaragoza and Mrs. Norton. Our reporter asked Brian and Mrs. Norton several questions about International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The two of them had never heard of it, but both saw the meaning behind it. It was Mrs. Norton who made the important remark of, “I believe it’s important that people understand them, since that each of these kids are so individually different.”

This concept of establishing awareness, for persons with disabilities, is one that has circulated globally. But International Day of Persons with Disabilities is more than awareness, it is the simple ability of anyone and everyone saying hello, it is being kind to those that are different from the ‘social norm.’ It is another form of spreading the Christmas spirit if one wishes to focus on the holidays. It’s acknowledging the challenges and triumphs of a disabled lifestyle.

In another interview, this time with another student, Nicholas Gilley, who could help give perspective on the subject. Nicholas’s Aunt Kady is disabled and mute. In her experience, Kady struggles with being mute, but not with being disabled. Instead, it has opened her world into one field-trip. She sees life through a different perspective than most people don’t. It allows a sense of wonder about everything, a sense of joy in the small simple things in life. A perspective that perhaps, we all could embrace.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities isn’t just about awareness, it is about the spreading of acceptance, friendship and understanding that could open up a world of possibilities between everyone regardless of race, color, creed, or any other social differences that society throws upon us. It’s a day to take off ALL of our labels and embrace that we are simply people, each of us trying our best to live our lives, being true to ourselves and embracing what we all can become. On this day, we take a step closer to our humanity.