Physical Disability vs. a Handicap

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a handicap is when someone is put at a disadvantage. While a disability is a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage clue to a physical or mental impairment. The difference is that disabilities are functional impairments and handicaps are disadvantages impaired on individuals. Someone could be disabled without being handicapped. I have had experience with both.

At the age of four I had a stroke which weakened the entire left side of my body. It also made me loose most of my memory and made my ability to learn difficult. Growing up with these disabilities was very difficult but I did not allow it to handicap me. Any activity I had the opportunity to try I tried it, no matter how many people told me I wouldn’t be able to. For instance, I was told that I would not be able to cheer due to my left hand being slower than my right. I tried out multiple times and made the team each time. As far as learning is concerned, I had to work hard to issue success in school. Through I didn’t allow these disabilities to handicap, others always tried to. I think that was and still is the hardest thing I have to deal with when it comes to my disabilities.

At the age of 18 I became wheelchair bound. This was due to having pins in my feet, both of them but at separate times. Being handicap was bittersweet. At times I wanted to be treated as if I was actually handicap. I enjoyed people opening doors for me and being nice to me just because I was in a wheelchair. Other times I was upset that the handicap handicapped me. In other words, I wanted to do things for myself and by myself but was unable to. Someone was always trying to help me because he/she felt sorry for me.  The main thing that I did not like about being handicap was all of the extra attention that was given to me. During the time I was in the wheelchair people would just stare out of curiosity for me having pins coming out of my feet. I respected those who would ask, “What happened?” opposed to those who would just stare and stare and stare.

Even though disabilities and handicaps are different, my experience with the two sure was, there is one thing that was similar. The support from my family was very strong. When I was in the hospital they would come visit me and even stay the night. They would keep in much with me and remind me that everything would be alright. Outside of the hospital my family did any and everything that I could not do for myself. The support from them made my experience with the disability and handicap a lot easier.