Lable Only

Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone. - Martina Navratilova

I've been wanting to talk about this since so long ago. Not trying to compare because I know that there's nothing better or worse, but only different. So, how is it to be someone with disability in Indonesia?
First, let me tell you who I am. I was born just like the other who can walk, etc. 2009, there was an earthquake in Padang and I lost my legs because of that. So, I am now disabled like what other people say. At first, it was hard. I did not want to go out and even just taking pictures with the weelchair on. I just did not want people to know me as someone who is "cacat" (the word somehow doesn't make me feel good). But then, afte all the supports from family and friends, disability ain't a nightmare anymore. The year I spent in the United States actually helped me a lot to get up. (Thanks AFS). I learned a lot of things in America because they have pretty good access for disabled including those who are using wheelchair. Then I came back to Indonesia and learned that we need more access for disabled.
I am saying this not only because I am disabled and seeing some other disabled people surviving live here, but also because of my-normal-friends. (Oops, I guess normal ain't the word to say that, because those with disabilities are normal too). I went to several places for vacation that has alot of stairs. That made my friends had to lift me up. And I know it ain't easy. I was happy because they helped me, but how do I know that they are fine with lifting someone up? How do I know that behind their smiles are actually the feelings of exhausted? Okay, I am saying too much about myself.
So how about those who are deaf? They don't know what I am saying unless I write or type it. They won't understand what I am laughing of when I watch TV. They won't be able to express their feelings to me because I don't understand the sign. You see the problems here? Bad communication could happen that easy. Though I am trying, and so they are, but... hmm. Well, my friends who are blind? Of course there will be problems too. But the purpose I am writing this is not to tell what will happen, but what we need.

I wonder.
I wonder, would that be possible when I am rolling around the campus, there won't be any place I can't go to. That the stairs don't have to make me stopped for a minute to call my friends to pick me up. And when I am on the bus, people would understand I need more space without even asking.
I wonder someday when my deaf friends is trying to express their feelings to everyone on their social media, everyone understand it right away. When they are watching TV, they don't have to think what is it about because there is text they can read. That when I want to talk to them, it won't be too hard anymore.
I wonder if my blind friends could go everywhere without thinking about the obstacles. That when they are stuck in the midle of the road, the people would want to help.
I wonder if the disabled can live the life like the other people. When they are showing their disabilities, nobody will judge them badly. When they are trying to get up, no one will put them up because of the perception.

Afterall, I'm so sorry that I don't include everykind of disabilities because if I do that will be a really long post. But one thing you guys have to know, there's nothing bad with living with disabilities in Indonesia. Some people might not understand yet about disabilities, but that's the job to tell them that we all need each other no matter if we are disabled or no. Let's make the word disability just a lable!