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On the Eve of a New Millenium

© Michelle Struik

While surfing through the television channels the other day I stumbled upon a documentary about Neanderthal man. I was surprised to discover that this ancient man had left evidence that they respected and looked after those in their community who had become infirm, old or disabled due to accident. Although I'm sure that those born with disability had a somewhat slim change of survival in those days of long ago, it's refreshing that they respected the abilities of those who faced disability later in life and felt that they had something valuable to offer the community.

With the eve of the new millenium upon us it truly makes me think of how the lives of the disabled have changed just in this century. At the turn of the last century most of us would have been delegated to some back bedroom, never to be seen or heard from, with some maiden Aunt being designated as our sole caregiver. Discussions of our health or lack of health would have been mentioned in sharp whispers so that the children wouldn't learn of our existence. If we had a communicable illness in some fashion we would have lived the remainders of our lives in Colonies, never to see or hear from our loved ones.

Over the last hundred years thankfully medical research has made many gains to improve the lives of the disabled or those with chronic medical conditions. Vaccines to prevent serious medical concerns have been developed. Antibiotics, cures and medical research gains have been developed to stop serious repercussions from common medical ailments. We do live in a magical age, however, it's important to realize that some day in the future, some person might look upon this age in the same fashion as we look upon the Neanderthal man.

We still have a long way to go! Many disabilities have no "cure" yet. Many chronic medical conditions have no identifiable "cause" as yet discovered. Without these answers our medical circumstances will not improve. It would be nice if suddenly a Tricorder from the Star Ship Enterprise suddenly appeared with a link to their onboard computer, but since that's unlikely to happen it's important that the medical profession continues the struggle to make the necessary gains that we can all benefit from.

It's also important that everyone treat those of us with disabilities and/or chronic medical conditions with the respect and value that the Neanderthal man's community showed their weakest members. We may not all be Stephen Hawkings but we still have something valuable to contribute to everyone's lives. At the very least..., compassion.

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