I’m genuinely surprised by humanity. Throughout my life time, I’d thought that people were decent human beings. In general, I misjudge people severely.
I never thought Brexit would happen – I didn’t think anyone would fall for the lies on a bus and racism. I’d thought that racism was a rare thing of older generations. It turned out not to be.
I didn’t think that the Tory government would stay in power with all the benefit cuts they were pushing through and the criticisms on their handling of those on disability.
It turns out, I just hang around with the right open minded people. Because these shocks seem to keep happening again and again.
Tonight, after putting my mother to bed as I usually do, I went outside for my evening cigarette. Probably about 11.30pm. It’s part of my routine. I smoke out the front to avoid waking her by walking through our living room come her bedroom. We haven’t had the house adapted yet.
Whilst having my usual cigarette I overheard our neighbours discussing my family.
She ain’t got no legs though so why’s she standing there having a cigarette?
It’s almost like they thought she was faking her disability. Who are my neighbours to judge me and my family? These are people I’ve never met before, discussing our personal lives on the street.
Another neighbour we also hadn’t met piped up.
Nah that’s her daughter
Not that it’s any of their business, but yes, I am her daughter. And she does have legs, one has been amputated below the knee. She’s not faking for her benefits, and she doesn’t get the help she deserves.
She’s a fighter. She’s my role model. She’s been through hell and back. And she keeps going. And she doesn’t judge others, especially not publicly.
I however, did not get my mum’s traits. And I do judge others. I judged them for having their garden party on the front lawn. For having a fire on the front lawn. For having their basket ball hoop in the street and continuously having their kids playing in the street with cars coming past. For their kids hitting my new car with their football repeatedly. For the parents not giving a damn about their kids potentially damaging others property. For the parents drinking and not paying full attention to their kids. And for the parents not having the brain power to talk quieter when they live 3 doors down and want to talk about their neighbours private lives in a judgemental manner.
We might not be the stereotypical family down the street. We keep ourselves to ourselves because we don’t have the energy and the ability to get out much. We have health issues. But we still have feelings.
Art and Angst 