‘Want to know the reasons why so many people participate in bullying the disabled? If you are disabled or have a loved one who is, knowledge is the first step of defense. Here are the most common reasons you need to know about.
Millions of people with disabilities suffer horrendous bullying every day. It’s bad enough that they must contend with a disability they didn’t ask for. However, it’s much worse when they must face the cruelty of bullies along with it.
Therefore, in this post, you will learn the most common reasons bullies prefer bullying the disabled people so that you can find out what cowards these people truly are. Moreover, you can use it to give them a dose of their own medicine when you see them target someone with a disability.
Once you learn all about this important information, you will be able to more successfully defend yourself if you fall into this unfortunate category. And if you’re a perfectly healthy person and you see this kind of bullying, you can be an upstander and stand up for the person being bullied.
This post is all about bullying the disabled people and why people target them for cruelty so that you’ll have the knowledge you need to use it against bullies .
Bullying the Disabled
Before we go on, let me tell you that those with disabilities, especially people with mental disabilities, are some of the most resilient people you can find. This is what I’ve discovered.
The Strongest, Purest, and bravest of Souls
…are those with mental disabilities and those with functional needs.
If you’re from my generation, I’m sure you remember the series from the early ’90s, “Life Goes On.”
Therefore, if you remember this television series, then you automatically think of Corky Thatcher. He was the mentally challenged middle child of the Thatcher family, played by Chris Burke.
In fact, he has Down’s Syndrome in real life. Yet, he made it as an actor!
This post isn’t for personal gain. Moreover, chances are that neither Chris Burke nor any of the other cast members or producers will ever read this post.
Therefore, this post is strictly from the heart. Moreover, it’s about something that I’ve noticed on many, many occasions throughout my lifetime.
The Mentally and Intellectually disadvantaged have the purest and sweetest of hearts. However, they live in a world that looks down on them.
They’re the unwanted. People shun, ridicule, and brutalize them all the time. Yet, these angels maintain their smiles and their unconditional kindness.
Moreover, their moral compasses never waiver. They’re innocent, childlike, and have hearts of gold.
Bullying the Disabled:
They Exhibit the Most Resilience
I write books about unsung heroes, who are different and who bullies target daily. But I’ll tell you this:
These courageous, amazing real-life heroes are the best of the human race! I admire their unbreakable will and unshakeable courage.
The mentally disabled have a dogged determination, and amazing ability to keep smiles on their faces even under the most challenging of circumstances!
These are the people who have the fortitude to overcome odds that would be overwhelming to a cast majority of people. And I state this with full conviction.
These beautiful souls also work the lowliest of jobs. In other words, they do jobs that most people think are beneath them. Also, they display the best work ethic, the most dedication, and the most pride in their work. Yet, others treat them the worst and supervisors and coworkers devalue them.
Most Others Don’t Appreciate nor Value Them
These angels have more heart and soul than those who are typical and twice their ages.
You have to wonder how they do it. How do they find the resolve to go up against such tremendous odds every single day?
How do they keep pushing amid jeers, jokes, and cruel insults? Let me remind you. These are situations under which most everyday people would’ve thrown in the towel?
Here’s another reason why I salute the mentally and intellectually challenged. They don’t let on that they even realize it when the rest of the world is showing it’s booty to them.
Moreover, they’re the people who never complain nor feel sorry for themselves. On the other hand, most everyday people only crumble any time life gives them a one-two punch.
Still, people give people with these disabilities the least respect. Others devalue and abuse these people the most- all because they aren’t like them.
Moreover, these are the people who don’t retreat into drugs and alcohol. Instead, they retreat into their work and hobbies. They keep their minds occupied with things that interest them.
Bullying the Disabled:
They Display the Most Talent
I’ve found that these people show the most talent in the arts. Many of them draw and play musical instruments like professionals! Yet, others overlook those talents because of who they belong to!
I don’t claim to know for sure, so I can’t speak for all the mentally and intellectually disabled. However, through my observations over the years, I’ve come to realize this.
Maybe, those with these kinds of disabilities handle adversity with such grace and aplomb is that they’ve accepted it as their normal.
This isn’t to say that they don’t get hurt by it because they have feelings too. Moreover, they have the same desires as everyone else. They want to be loved and accepted for who they are.
We all have the desire to be apart of something and to be included. Humankind is hardwired that way.
But the mentally and intellectually challenged have such a way of bouncing back from years of repeated rejection. They come back to their cheerful selves much quicker! Moreover, they forgive much more readily and easily!
They Forgive the Quickest
That’s what makes them such beautiful souls! They’re the brightest and most brilliant lights in a very dark world! And it will go to their credit and be celebrated in The Afterlife!
Therefore, all I can say to the millions of earth angels is this:
Keep up the good fight! Keep being a shining example to the rest of the world! I love you all!
Bullying The Disabled:
those with Depression and who are neurologically diverse
Bullying disabled people is comparable to racism.
Discrimination is discrimination, and prejudice is prejudice. It doesn’t matter who’s dishing it out or who is receiving it.
Mentally ill people and the mentally disabled are still a minority. In fact, they’re the largest minority in the world. However, they get the least representation. It doesn’t matter their sex, race, religion, or orientation.
You may think that person is mentally imbalanced and they may not be. However, you’re still guilty of discrimination, prejudice, and bias.
Mentally ill people and those who are disabled are favorite targets of bullies.
Here are 5 reasons bullies target those with disabilities.
1. They are different.
It’s a fact that bullies will bully anyone who is different. It’s no different than being a racial minority, a woman, or being an older citizen.
2. They are least likely to have the ability or know-how to defend themselves.
People with mental illness or other disabilities are the most vulnerable, and bullies take full advantage!
3. Bullying the Disabled:
They don’t have the protections other oppressed groups Have.
In other words, they are the least represented. This makes them even more vulnerable. In fact, this puts them at the mercy of basically everyone!
Again, people with disabilities are the largest minority in the world. However, they get the least representation.
4. Many People don’t see them as human.
Therefore, they bully and abuse them at will and with impunity. Most people see those with disabilities as a drain on resources and on society.
They see them as contributing nothing to the world and long to be rid of them.
5. Others are least likely to believe them when they report Bullying and Abuse.
Therefore, their bullies and abusers get away with their abuse.
Bullying the Disabled:
The mentally disadvantaged have it even worse!
Other oppressed groups have more legal protections under the law than the mentally disadvantaged. Even those with physical disabilities have more protections.
Therefore, people who target these people, or stand by and watch it happen are no different than card-carrying racists.
There’s a term for this kind of bullying. It’s called Ableism!
Here’s something I’ll bet no one has thought of.
If a person bullies these people, they probably are a racist, homophobe, etc. They only hide it because it’s politically incorrect and against the law.
Moreover, society doesn’t consider it to be as evil or illegal to discriminate against those perceived to be mentally disadvantaged.
Those with mental illness or autism spectrum disorder are safer victims to bully. Therefore, they’re who bullies feel safer to target.
Most bullies are racists and sexists at heart because bullies don’t accept anyone who is not like them. It doesn’t matter what the difference is.
People With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
People with autism and other neurological disorders suffer extremely high rates of victimization and bullying.
It’s bad enough that they must go through life struggling with a disability they have no control over. Even worse, they also struggle with constant cruelty from people in the general population because of that disability.
“A new study finds that children with autism spectrum disorders are bullied for more often than their typically developing peers.” (healthland.time.com)
According to Time Magazine (the above link), 46% of children on the spectrum reported being bullied compared to only 10% of neurotypical kids.
And the statistics are estimated to be even higher. Why? Because many of those with ASD are nonverbal. Also, their inability to read social cues also contributes to the low reports.
They cannot recognize the subtler forms of abuse. Therefore, they can’t report anything they don’t know is occurring.
Bullies quickly zero in on the repetitive behaviors and being highly sensitive to external stimuli. So, there’s another reason. They’re easy victims.
It’s important that we teach these people productive ways to defend themselves. Moreover, we must reach out and protect them. Only then will the rates of bullying among these groups go down.
This post is all about bullying the disabled, why bullies target them the most, and what we can do to help these victims.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. Who are Usually the Victims of Bullying? 11 Traits of Bully Targets