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Thoughts on Thinking Differently
continued

It is scary to think and feel so differently that you desire death as an escape. Any sane, so-called "normal" individual should be afraid of those types of uncontrolled differences. All people are afraid of loss and will grieve the loss of a friend, loss of vision, loss of leg, and loss of independence. But it is beyond imagination to cope with the loss of sanity or loss of self.

Having worked with people labeled with a mental handicap for many years, I believe that this fear also applies to retardation. People cannot bear the thought of not thinking in the way they are use to – "normally." Each person has his or her own way of thinking, but we are – yes, I am, too – afraid of losing that natural ability or being left with "lesser" powers. This could be why Alzheimer’s disease receives so much attention. We are all afraid of losing our minds.

People with disabilities often argue that it is not the disability that needs removal but the barriers. Let us be disabled, because that is who we are, they say; but allow us some dignity and equality. Yet millions and millions of dollars are still spent on the prevention and rehabilitation of various disorders and disabilities. But for mental health and mental disabilities, there is less hope and less help. For people who have mental health disabilities in addition to other, sensory, physical or mental disabilities, the system is even less accommodating.

Sheltered workshops still exploit people labeled "mentally handicapped" under the guise of "training." People labeled "mentally ill" are being systematically abused medically, pharmaceutically, physically or socially, both inside institutions and out.

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