Supporting PWDs
ONE may not actually appreciate the priority given to persons with disabilities (PWDs). He may infact get annoyed by the special treatment for PWDs especially in situations where he gets bumped off in favor of them.
An example is when one waits for so long in line to be served during a very busy day in a bank only to be overtaken by a cane-wielding man who just came in. There’s the stupid temptation to ask the privileged customer if he’s really disabled or not.
But the urge to ask is completely withheld to avoid public criticism and social media outrage. One may never know the presence of a netizen who’s always on the look-out for a trending content.
And so the resentment is kept at bay and the hope is high that no other PWD is coming to do more overtaking.
Now that’s really bad. However, when one is in a hurry, he can’t help but feel that way. But that’s until he gets into the shoes of PWDs.
I had a severe gout attack recently. It was so painful I couldn’t walk without a stick. Using a cane, I went to the bank. Upon seeing me, the guard immediately opened the door as if I was a VIP.
Then he gave me a cue card for PWDs.
I normally wait for an hour to complete my transaction. But with the special cue card for PWDs, I was out of the bank in a breeze. I didn’t have to wait long while in so much pain. Fantastic!
PWDs could be in pain greater than mine during my gout attack. Mine was temporary but theirs is permanent. I now truly appreciate the privileges accorded to PWDs. And they deserve more.
Fortunately, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured PWDs of his administration’s support in ensuring their inclusion and empowerment.
