It has been an unexpectedly busy week, and I have missed writing a few posts. Tomorrow is Sunday, and our peace will no doubt be disturbed by the frantic ritual of a political party conference at the nearby National Stadium. But today was just perfect - starting off grey and quiet, blossoming into sunshine, and then back to a muted sunset. Birds have returned to the garden, and were flitting everywhere. More rain is forecast.
A little scene stuck with me from earlier in the week - I thought I must write it down, before I forget. When we were waiting at traffic lights in a not very well-heeled part of town, I quietly observed two men outside a shop. One was standing at the top of a rather high step. He looked frail and both his knees were heavily bandaged. The other one, on the sidewalk below, had a severe disability; he could not put one foot on the ground, as that leg swung out at an acute angle. They were talking, while the man on the step hesitated over stepping down. After a minute or two, the man with the bad leg leaned forward, offering the bandaged man his shoulder. He leaned on it and managed to step down. It was quite the balancing act, but done with kindness and laughter. They then walked off down the road arm in arm, continuing their chat.
I just felt moved by this; not only because they were both people with disabilities, but because of the cheerful nonchalance with which they helped each other. It just didn’t seem to be a big deal, for them.
Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries like Jamaica, according to the UN Development Programme. Around 15 per cent of the world’s population, or an estimated 1 billion people, live with disabilities. They are the world’s largest minority, says the World Health Organization. I wrote about disability rights in Jamaica in my blog here.
Here’s a photo of the golden candles flowering in our garden, to cheer us up.
Heartwarming and I love those flowers of yours. They’re new to me😊