Say Hello To Someone With A Disability This Month: Letter

The following letter is from Patricia M. Thies, executive director of Blue Cap.

I Challenge You

We are all people; people of all shapes, sizes, race, life experiences, career paths, education, and unique in our own way. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are just like the rest of society. Yet, when someone is different, we stare, we ignore, we separate the unknown and call them different. We use their disability to ridicule, to fear, to be cruel and most of all to separate people from the community. We “dis” peoples’ “ability” just because of the unfamiliarity and lack of knowing.

March is Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month. I challenge you to say hello to someone with a disability, include someone with a disability in a conversation, smile, be aware of the person in the room, at church or at an event. People with intellectual disabilities live in your community, work places where you frequent, and have families and friends in your neighborhood. Do not fear the unknown. See the person for their ability, not their disability.

Thank you,

Patricia M. Thies
Executive Director
Blue Cap

• Blue Cap, a non-profit organization based in Blue Island, has a mission "to serve as a catalyst for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to be educated, have quality life experiences, be respected and be a valued member of their community," according to its website.

Photo courtesy of Blue Cap