Eleventh-grade winner, 2014 Archdiocese of Omaha Pro-Life Essay Contest

Pope John XXIII School, Elgin, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Petersburg

People with disabilities are viewed as “problems” in today’s society. Many people do not realize that just like us, people with disabilities are people too. These individuals may not look or behave the same way as we do, but God created each and every one of us so that makes us all one and the same. When people disrespect and undervalue disabled people, they are disrespecting God himself. All people of every race, gender or ability are made in the image and likeness of God. As we respect God, we should respect everyone, including disabled people.

Disabled people may be seen as helpless and unimportant, but they can truly show what it means to “express love in action.”

Deaf people are incapable of hearing so they rely solely on what they observe. A number of deaf people are incapable of speaking, also. This means that the only way they can convey their message or emotions is through their actions. This is why disabled people are great models for us on teaching us to “express love in action.” They are capable of showing their true love for someone just through their actions. Another way disabled people are examples of how to “express love in action” is the way they teach us to act. When you are around a disabled person long enough, you know how to and what gets their attention. You know how to appeal to their senses so that they respond to you. Many disabled people do not respond well to someone raising their voice to them or talking to them in a way that is forceful. When speaking to disabled people, we must learn to speak to them with love and care if we want them to show emotion back to us.

Disabled people most often act exactly how they feel at a certain time. If they are sad, they express sorrow or cry; if they are happy, they smile and maybe laugh; if they are angry, they will shake their fists or shake their head. Nothing stops disabled people from showing who they truly are. When they are able to show just how loving and caring they are, they show it with all their heart. Disabled people may seem different, but they are truly “Professors of Love.”