My exposure to Pinoys with disabilities allowed me to learn new things everyday. I realize now how they take a lot of sass from us and the trauma that we can sometimes unknowingly cause them. So here is my list of five things you should NEVER say to a Pinoy with disabilities.
- Sayang, ang (compliment) mo pa naman. I heard this a million times being said about gay people too. I hear office girls this about gay men, ay bading, sayang gwapo po naman. That just takes the cake doesn’t it? Statements like that are more insults than compliments. Same thing with a PWD. If a person is smart, good-loooking or creative, whether he/she is in a wheelchair or not makes no difference. If you think the PWD did a great job then compliment his/her artistry or creativity or what not, then just say so without the need to ruin it by inferring that the disability cancels out the compliment. This demeans the person and you ultimately give the message that however good the PWD might be, you will not see him/her as an equal. Marunong ka nga mag appreciate, sayang, ang insensitive mo naman.
- Pano po kayo nagto toilet? Such an insensitive and offensive remark. Unless the PWD volunteers the information, it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. If someone asks you how you go to the toilet, wouldn’t you feel insulted too? Also never try to accompany a PWD to the toilet unless you are asked to do so. They deserve their privacy as you deserve yours too.
- Yung asawa nyo po ba (disability here) din? Depending on the conversation, be careful with such questions. Even worse is the comment, ay may asawa po kayo? Ang cute naman! That lady who said that thought she was being cute. The tail of that comment was actually she was surprised that someone without disability had married the PWD, or that maybe both of them were PWDs and they would look “cute” together. Such mean things to say. I pity that lady’s husband.
- Talking to a PWD like they’re children or stupid. I’ve seen this a few times and maybe I might have been guilty of this too. If the PWD is an adult then treat him like an adult. It incenses them more, actually it will incense anyone, if you talk to them like they’re stupid. Saw this once in a restaurant when the headwaiter was talking loudly and slowly to a lady in a wheelchair. The PWD replied while signaling to her ear, “bingi ho ba kayo?” to which everybody laughed. I admire the PWD’s ability to make a possibly embarrassing moment funny and light. It’s positivism through the roof. I honestly believe restaurants should give their employees sensitivity training for assisting PWD customers.
- Ay bingi! Bakit ano nangyari sa yo? This is the mother of the most inappropriate and insensitive things to say. It’s like the quintessential “ano ginagawa mo?” when you meet a friend, where you obviously can see what the person is doing. You want them to explain themselves to you? Really? Unless you are a relative or someone close, you need to be careful with such comments because no one, with or without disability, needs to explain themselves to you upon first meeting.
Humor is a good way to relieve tension and make any moment light and informal. However, you need to be extra careful with the jokes as you might offend other people’s sensibilities. Be mindful of what you say, to anyone for that matter.
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Five Things You Should NEVER Say To A Pinoy With Disabilities – PWD Philippines http://t.co/no2RwxjJ9g
Five Things You Should NEVER Say To A Pinoy With Disabilities – PWD Philippines http://t.co/3zWPWEAXCL
Hi. I was thinking of reposting this one in my blog but will add more things you should never say to PWDs. I will just give you the credit. I’ll mention your blogsite. I hope its okay.
Good Day Madam & Sir,
Ako Po Si Anthony G. Mabalot 28yrs. old From San Pedro, Laguna. May Kapansanan Po Ako Sa Pandinig Pero Nakakapag Salita Naman Po. At May Depression Po Ako Pero Nag Gagamot Naman Po Hanggang Ngayon. Gusto Ko Lang Po Sana Na Humingi Ng Tulong Kung Maari Po Sana Ay Mahanapan Po Ninyo Ako Ng Trabaho 2nd Yr College Undergraduate Lang Po Ako. Sana Po Ay Matulungan Ninyo Ako Makapag Trabaho Para Po Makatulong Po Ako Sa Pang Araw – Araw Namin Gastusin Ganyun Din Po Ang Pang Araw – Araw Kong Pag Continue Sa Gamot. Maraming Salamat Po Sa Inyo. E2 Po Ang Aking Email Address: prince_anthony212003@yahoo.com At e2 po ang cellphone number ko. 09461827928
if you want a job, you can submit your resume to this email add kristine.cantos@urc.com.ph, i am partial deaf too just like you and I am currently employed here for 5 months na.
Thanks for having this website, I am the president of San Roque Cainta PWDAssociation this can inform and help us more.
Nice Web site.San Roque Cainta PWDAssociation
i want to serve pwd like me…i want to be an inspiration for them..
Good Day Ma’am and Sir
Gusto ko po sana malaman kung may available job po kayo sa tatay ko po, 52 years old na po sya turning 53. Malakas po sya at the best Father for us kahit po nawalan po ng isang paningin yung kaliwang mata po nya, still po ginawa po nya ang best nya para po sa amin. High school graduate po sya at nag-aral po ng auto diesel, nag-serve na po sya sa isang bus company bilang mekaniko, nung natapos po ang contract nya, nag janitor naman po sya sa public school. Ngayon po naghahanap po sya ulit ng trabaho. Kahit di nya po sabihin we can feel his depression sa pagkawala ng job nya. Sana po ay matulungan nyo po si tatay, masipag po sya at maaasahan.
Maraming Maraming Salamat Po!
Eto po yung email address ko: greyceljane@yahoo.com
Eto po yung number ni tatay: 09298378128
mga sir, wala ako makuha na work sa totoo lang, hinde naman ako senior citizen, facial lang ako pero nakakalakad ako at mga kamay ko gumagalaw pa.. masiyado dito sa pilipinas sa totoo lang..
Good afternoon! Mag-iinquire po ako kung may open pa po kayong trabaho para sa mga PWD gaya ko po? I’m 35 years old,Hunchback, Interior Design Graduate. Sana po matulungan nyo po ako. Maraming Salamat.
mobile :0916-603-8196
Hi, we’re in need of 2years (technical/vocational) IT-related Diploma course graduates for a huge BPO company here in Manila. No experience needed. Interested applicants may send a copy of their resume to dlim-it@aaisi.com.ph
I am Paul Fortes left-hand paralyse cause of motocycle accident please help me to have a job im 33 now this is my number 09208184498.
hello guys, iam new in PWD world please help me need some advice and someone to talk too.
Phone Number : 09753663355
E-mail : k3.bal.31@gmail.com
kimmy,balcita@gmail.com