Richer lives through friendship

Disability Issues

Dr Christine Peta

Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Friendship on July 30.

The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly with the understanding that friendship among people, nations and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

However, this week we focus on the subject of friendship between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities.

There is need for both persons with disabilities and those without disabilities to step back, reflect and be grateful for the relationships that they have with others nationally and throughout the world.

As we seek to promote peace, happiness and unity, we should all strive to build meaningful friendships.

However, it is not uncommon to hear some persons with disabilities saying they do not want to work together with non-disabled persons. As such, they demand workplaces that consist wholly of persons with disabilities.

But the same persons with disabilities may be coming from homes where they have spouses, children and relatives who are non-disabled. The same applies to some non-disabled persons who may also have spouses, children and relatives with disabilities but when they get to their workplaces, they loathe the integration of persons with disabilities in the labour market.

An inclusive workplace can help us to embrace our differences, build consensus and find comfort in friendship.

Friendships and connections involve the promotion of a global understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion. Both persons with disabilities and those without disabilities should always seek to find common ground, guard against valorising hatred, physical appearance, differences of opinion and/or music tastes, among other things that separate people.

As we go about our daily activities, we realise that life is full of things that we cannot control. For instance, it is impossible to choose one’s parents or one’s genetics. However, we can choose our friends. The decision of who we befriend can either enrich our lives or make them difficult.

Relationships and efforts to promote kindness and unity are bigger than our bodily differences. No wonder a choice of a friend that is based solely on whether one is a person with disabilities or not is narrow.

Friendship between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities helps to break down myths and misconceptions. Both persons (with or without disabilities) can gain a better understanding of the challenges that are experienced by the other.

Effective collaboration between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities can result in the development of inclusive policies and everyday practices in workplaces, schools and communities which seek to ensure that we all have equal access to opportunities and resources.

In addition, such friendship and collaboration hold the promise of bringing about creative solutions to diverse problems, for the benefit of all people.

When persons with disabilities and those without disabilities build strong bonds, they can work together in ways that foster a sense of community and belonging for everyone, resulting in strengthened support systems and social networks, reduced stress, increased happiness, improved self-worth and self-confidence. The improved ability to cope with issues such as illness, divorce, death and job loss; and elimination of bad habits such as lack of exercise and excessive drinking can also be a result of such friendship. Building connections with people who share the same interests and values with us, regardless of whether they are persons with disabilities or not, is of paramount importance.

We need to share any ideas we may have that minimise hatred and disdain among persons with disabilities and those without disabilities.

After all, we are human beings, who may have more in common than what we realise.

Collaborative and inclusive alliances can help in addressing knowledge and attitude gaps, and have a more positive impact on national development, which benefits both persons with disabilities and those without disabilities.

Dr Christine Peta is a disability, public health, policy, international development and research expert. She is the national director of disability affairs in Zimbabwe. She can be contacted on: [email protected]