Big Old Fat Label

BIG OLD FAT LABELS

By Hope A. Bevilhymer

     I was born in 1976.  When it was time for me to join this earth I was slapped with big old fat label. "Disabled".  It was branded on my forehead for life.  Being born with disability in the late 70's you were considered an outcast in society.  People with disabilities were not seen in public.  It was taboo or not talked about.  People during that era were shunned in public and looked at differently by mankind.  

     It was not until the early 90's that the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was passed.  This was put into effect and it prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. Society was slow to come around.  People were still not accepting of individuals with disabilities.  Only in the last 5-7 years has it become widely accepted and more people are venturing out in the community with disabilities.  

     Throughout my lifetime I was called CRIPPLED, FRANKENSTEIN, GIMP, RETARD, RIDICULED and for some reason PICKED ON, because I was different.  I often wondered why people were so mean to me.  Then it came to me one day.  I was labeled... I was branded and it read "DISABLED".  Because of that I was automatically different.  In school sports I was picked last or not picked at all.  I faced daily name calling from somebody in the world who felt they need to let me know I was disabled.  I ended up having 30 surgeries to fix my Club Foot and eventually chose to have it amputated.  Now the label is even bigger and more prominent. 

     I did not let that hold me back.  I used it to my benefit.  My favorite words from someone is you "CAN'T"do something.  I always respond by saying I surely CAN and watch me do this.  I used the mocking and degrading remarks to fuel my drive to prove I was worth society's time. I don't recommend you go out and call people names.  Not everyone can take the harshness from someone calling them names and channel it into something positive. I do have a disability, but I have never let the labels that society put on me diminish who I am as a person.  I have assisted people throughout the globe... I am a Motivational/Inspirational Speaker...I am the Volvo For Life Award Winner... I am an avid sports enthusiast... The list could go on.

     So do us all a favor and loose the "LABELS". I touched briefly on disabilities, but there are many more labels that others may experience: Different Races, Different Sexual Preferences, Different Religious Beliefs and so many more.  That is what this human experience is all about is being different.  If we were not different and we were all the same then it would be a boring... boring world we live in.  I do not hold anybody liable for the name calling and all the other stuff.  I know with most people they fear what they do not know.