empathy challenge

Western Australia is known by far as the area with the highest disability rate. Disabilities are broken down into 6 classifications; sensory , neurological, physical,intellectual, cognitive or psychiatric. All 6 disabilities have the ability to change a person at birth by parents genetics or take course later on in life. The issue is that it takes little to no action when it comes to introducing yourself and making gestures to become social with someone who's not so different from you. When you take the chance to communicate with one another you give them a chance of feeling normal or connected to being not only a part of the world, but part of a friendship.

On November 10th , I interviewed “Ruby” and our group developed questions that we thought needed to be asked to understand and empathize how one who is not able to be mobile and communicate with others. “Ruby “ had shared her daily routine and feelings about being immobile and unable to provide and care for herself. She shared that she is unable to go to the local grocery stores and did not want to burden the one or two people that come to help her. The accuracy of our research was proven due to the fact she isolates herself from actually being in the real world. In the interview, she had stated she does not like to go outside, even if it was just to go to the front porch. Her social life had dramatically decreased since her accident and passage into becoming disabled. She stated she was 100% okay with being alone, but it is impossible for others to be okay with it. “Ruby“ admitted that it takes a lot for her to be strong everyday and it is not easy being in her shoes. Her lifestyle has changed dramatically, but she takes things one day at a time and copes as best as she is able to go on with her life in a different way.

We interviewed “Ruby“ hoping that we could show the limitations of those with disabilities and show empathy by asking questions to identify how a disability can alter your life and dependency on others. We became aware that people should get involved in the lives of those who are not fully able to take care of themselves. This goes beyond having a job as a caregiver or one at a nursing home , but for the sake that everyone should be able to be happy and have an ample amount of relationships established regardless of one having a handicap or not. If more people could put themselves in the shoes of those who have a disability, they would understand their limitations and need for others help. This could provide a bond with people that would all in all make everyone happy and more productive overall. Instead of Ruby dreading some of the tasks in her life due to her limited support, she could have relationships that allow her to feel as she once did prior to her life being altered. You can be the person to revoke that dreadful feeling or thought process within those who are not able to function like you on a day to day basis.

Interview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17AZxzURAPGZ1lINSpugTA9fdF5x9SkGy/view