If you want to understand how to become better allies to people with disabilities, then join us at Embracing All Abilities: Including People with Disabilities at Work.
After being locked into the house for several months, a toddler learns the importance of freedom as he steps out for the first time
Strapped securely in the back seat of the car, my little boy was ecstatic. The spark in his little eyes was unmissable, as the journey began.
He looked at the roads, which were once part of his routine. He looked at the supermarket where he would once shop to his heart’s content. He looked fondly at his favorite eatery where he would spend time not just eating but also jumping on the trampoline. The roads, which were filled with nothing other than buildings and traffic, seemed like a treat to his eyes.
His eyes gazed on the road, he was pointing here and there with excitement. As he saw all his favorite places, he said “Mumma, I feel so happy, like I am on my way to a picnic.”
His momma who had been focusing on the road, took a glance at her son through the rear-view mirror and saw those spark filled eyes. The pandemic had caused everyone to be stuck in the safety of their homes. Frustration was at an all time high with people not being able to socialise.
But the worst affected of all, were the kids. This is their age to walk around, play with other kids of their age, take a stroll in the park, get dirt on their hands and be carefree. However, the current situation is not conducive to provide such an environment for the kids anymore. Kids are hence confined to what the walls of their homes.
While as parents we try our best to provide them with everything that we can, children ultimately need their childhood. Nothing can give them the happiness that the open space of a play area can. No number of bathtubs can give them the same excitement of jumping into a pool. Nothing can replace the fun of sliding down a crooked slide.
A hospital visit was probably never so looked forward to. Neither the mask nor the face shield could shield the happiness bubbling inside him. “Are you feeling excited?”, asked his Mumma. “Yes Mumma, I feel so free!” came the reply.
As the journey continued, we listened to some music and kept chatting about all that we saw and how things that have changed in the last few months. Though nothing on the exterior had really changed. If anything had changed it was probably the outlook of people.
Many people recognized we needed to give mother nature a break. Others felt hygiene and its importance was being reinforced with this pandemic. Some felt irritated, frustrated and miserable and the lucky few felt blessed who did not wish for change.
But for the little boy sitting in the car, a whirlpool of thoughts seemed to have taken over his little head. Looking out of the window, he said, “Mumma, I think we should no longer keep our birds in the cage!”
This one statement had spoken a thousand words. The little boy had experienced what freedom meant and what it felt like to feel liberated. He had stepped out of his cage and could now relate to the importance of not just his freedom but also the freedom of his fellow beings!
Tiny Brains can give us large perspectives of life!!
Picture Credits: Pexels
read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Some time ago, Imtiaz Ali and Hansal Mehta respectively spoke of biopics of Madhubala and Meena Kumari. But do these biopics do justice to these women?
I recently came across a Reddit thread that discussed the fact that filmmaker Imtiaz Ali had announced making a biopic of Madhubala, and I wanted to explore this a little.
Of late, biopics based on the lives of beautiful but fatefully tragic women such as Lady Diana and Marilyn Monroe have created waves. Closer at home, we hear about the possibilities of biopics being made on the lives of Meena Kumari and Madhubala as well. These were hugely famous, stunningly beautiful women who were the heartthrobs of millions; who died tragically young.
I am glad that the Orange Flower Awards seek self-nomination. High achieving women often suffer from self-doubt, and this is a good way to remind us that we are good enough.
A few days ago, I saw an Instagram post announcing the Orange Flower Awards which recognise the power of women’s voices. I read about it with curiosity, but didn’t give it a second thought.
I received an e mail from Women’s Web seeking self-nominations for the Orange Flower Awards, and I ignored it. Yes, I write occasionally, but I didn’t think my work was good enough for me to nominate myself in any of the categories.
A past winner especially tagged me and asked me to look at nominating myself, and I told her that I was not ready yet. “That is up to you”, she said, “but I think you should nominate yourself.”
Please enter your email address