There are a few things I hate in this world — peas, math, waiting in long lines, traffic...just to name a few. However, the thing I absolutely hate the most is rude people.
There is absolutely no need to be rude at any given point in time, yet people find some way, somehow, to have a poor attitude towards others.
The biggest problem, though, is when this unnecessary stance is aimed at people who might not even know the definition of the word rude. I'm talking about the mentally handicapped (intellectually disabled).
I've always been aware of this special group of people since I grew up with one always nearby. My uncle on my mother's side is mentally handicapped and has been since the day he was born.
He doesn't speak (except for a few babbles and giggles here and there), and he essentially has a mental age of about 3 years old.
I'm going to tell you what I really can't stand when it comes to people interacting with my uncle. I can't stand when people look his way, disgusted, just because he's making a bit of noise (most likely because he's happy). I can't stand when people blatantly stare at him because he looks different or acts unnatural for a man in his 50s. I can't stand how people are so ignorant to the fact that an individual like my uncle exists.
I understand that "mentally handicapped" can be a vague term because it manifests itself a little differently with each person, and I know not everyone grows up around someone like this so they can't experience it first hand.
However, to all the people that are so unapologetically rude, you need to take a seat and maybe research a little so you can try to understand why this type of person acts the way they do and why you shouldn't act like they are a disgrace to humankind.
People don't research though, so when they cross paths with someone who is mentally handicapped they think that the person is crazy or weird or that they shouldn't be like that (like they have a choice).
Of course, there are kind and understanding people that I've come across that aren't bothered by the fact that my uncle might stare at them because he just wants to say hello and "talk" to someone new. Some people have happily said hi back to him and initiated a small conversation. I've met lovely people that aren't daunted by the fact that my uncle may bump into them unknowingly and they understand when he can't apologize for himself. I've also met curious people who have asked with a smile why he makes certain hand gestures and what they mean. Other people have taken joy in the fact that he might gaze and laugh happily at their kids because, to him, those kids are his age and he finds them running around and playing entertaining and relatable. I've met countless people who see me with him and are delighted and thankful that he is in the care of such a loving person because a lot of mentally handicap kids and adults end up in a bad home or in a group home because they don't have family to take care of them, or even a family who doesn't want them because they may require some extra work and care.
People need to comprehend that there is a beautiful, loving human being behind the person that is using the term "mentally handicapped" to explain why they may be a little different from everyone else, and I just can't tolerate the people who do not want to realize this fact.
The only way I'm going to have time for these undoubtedly inconsiderate people is when I'm confronting them to teach them why they are the rude ones and why my uncle is not.
*Drops mic*
