I have been hearing the term “NORMAL” in the context of referring to people other than those having special needs. And those with special needs are referred to as “SPECIAL”. Even I too refer that way. After working closely with few individuals with special needs during past few years, I start wondering who is “NORMAL” and who is “SPECIAL”.
People who always worry about what others will think of them, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones never bother about what others think of them.
People who treat others based on their religion, cast, class in society, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones have no idea about religion, caste and creed.
People who treat others with biases, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones love everyone the same way.
People who consider some types of work as ‘low’, are they “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones consider all types of work with same respect. We learn ‘Dignity of labour’ from them.
People who impose etiquettes originated from certain cultures, are thy “NORMAL”? The “SPECIAL” ones behave what they are comfortable with. As far as it doesn’t hurt others physically or their behaviour doesn’t become vulgar, why should we force them to behave in a manner which a certain group of people feel ‘correct’.
These days most of us keep getting good morning messages in WhatsApp groups, with advises, quotes, good practices etc. etc. People who just forward such messages (at times very biased / sceptical), are they “NORMAL”? When I analyse the actions of those people considering the meaning of such messages from them, they don’t go together.
These days I have stopped watching news channels in TV, also hardly read news papers, as it is very difficult to differentiate between ‘news’ and ‘stories’. Those who propagates stories in the name of ‘news’, are they “NORMAL”?
People often play mind games and hit below the belt to those with whom they act as if they are very ‘close’. Are they “NORMAL”?
I have no problem calling those with special needs “SPECIAL”. But I have problem, calling everyone else “NORMAL”.
200% agree to each and every word of it, Dr. Very well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you Seetharam..
DeleteAbsolutely..
ReplyDeleteThank you Sreeprakash...
DeleteExcellent expression of thoughts. I can relate to it very well as a special educator, lately people are using neurotypical instead of normal when they discuss children special needs. It's a game of words don't know who they are trying to convince.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. You have put it right, 'whom people are trying to convince'.
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