The Manitoulin Expositor often plays witness to incredible individuals who have accomplished incredible things, often despite challenges and setbacks that would suggest they were impossible. This week proved to be another example, as this newspaper followed the progress of Kevin Mills of Newmarket and his friend and support worker KikkiD.
Mr. Mills is a quadriplegic. A devastating swimming injury left him without the use of his legs, triceps and hands. An injury that, in another age and time, would have meant near complete helplessness and most assuredly an early death. But today, thanks to advances in medicine, technology and accessibility, Mr. Mills is more than a quarter way through a 2,700-kilometre cross-country cycling trip aimed at raising awareness of the “able” in disabled.
There is no question that Mr. Mills would fall under anyone’s definition of “disabled.” Yet, here is this individual embarking on a journey that would daunt even the most “abled” among us—and doing it more for the benefit of others than himself.
Mr. Mills reminds us all, or what is more likely, informs us, that those with severe injuries hampering the function of part of their bodies are still quite able to accomplish valuable and important things in society. In the immortal words of Monty Python, “I’m not dead yet!” The worst thing we can do as a society is to toss those so “challenged” on the cart to be discarded.
Locked within the minds and bodies of the so-called “disabled” are countless treasure troves of abilities just waiting to be tapped into for the betterment of our communities. All that is lacking is sufficient effort and awareness of the accommodations necessary to unlock those treasures.
Today’s technologies and construction techniques are among the keys to the locks, but almost more important are the chains of prejudice that bind society’s perceptions.
Great strides have been made, and continue to be made, in making our communities more accessible and welcoming to those who must overcome physical adversity in order to lead productive lives. But there is much more that can, and needs, to be done.
It was not so long ago that women were locked out of much of the workforce, partially due to patriarchal blinders. Today, many women continue to be still locked out of economic opportunity and advancement due to a lack of accessible childcare. Too many members are locked out of opportunities due to other prejudices that remain instilled within our social structures. The disabled are not alone.
There are remarkable individuals, women, people of colour and the disabled who have managed to transcend society’s perceptual obstacles and go on to accomplish great things—it is true. But that does not mean those obstacles do not exist—too often lurking unconsciously in the minds of the so-called “abled.” How many unremarkable individuals could lead more productive lives if those obstacles were removed?
One of the very first steps in removing those perceptions is to create more physically accessible communities. If an individual lacking the full use of all four limbs can embark on a 2,700-kilometre journey with the goal of waking society up to the possibilities locked within, perhaps it is possible for all of us to unlock those perceptual chains.
In the meantime, get out and enjoy the great outdoors, and instead of complaining about what holds us back, start celebrating the countless blessings we enjoy in this greatest of countries and explore the possibilities.
