Valuing People with Disabilities

The Gospel Call to See and Value Every Person

By Shauna Amick

How do you feel when you see all those accessible parking spaces in front of your favorite store? Are you thankful that people struggling with disabilities have that accommodation? Maybe your feelings of gratitude come because you require the use of a wheelchair or walker and feel blessed that you don’t have to park far away. Or perhaps, you feel grateful that you don’t need one of those spots.

Be honest… Do you ever feel annoyed that you can’t find a parking place near the door, while there are so many handicapped parking spots that remain empty? Maybe you’ve used one yourself thinking, “I’ll be quick. And besides, I never see people with disabilities in this store.”

Once inside, if you do happen upon a person with a physical or intellectual disability, how do you respond? Do you offer to get things off the top shelves for someone using a wheelchair? Do you smile when you see a child with Down syndrome and tell her single mother that she has a beautiful family?