normalization

We need more "normalization"

BY AGATSU KIMURA

Megumi Yamazaki is confined to a wheelchair because she was born with spinal paralysis. Four years ago, when she was a third-year student in junior high school, she appealed to the Sapporo Higher Court for studying in a regular class, not in a special class. But her dream did not come true. We at Youth Forum News wrote about it in the 8th edition. She entered the Department of Life Welfare in the Faculty of Human Welfare at Hokkaido Womenﾕs College, so we interviewed her in this follow-up article.

She entered an evening course in Rumoi High School and studied in a regular class. We asked about her school life. ﾒThere is no barrier-free system in the building, so I had to depend on my parents and volunteers during my school life. After I made friends, however, they helped me and the teachers also did at last. Therefore, I did not feel inconvenienced so much. Though the facilities did not change, maybe they knew what they should have done gradually. The high school, which is not compulsory education, accepted me, but my junior high school, which is compulsory, did not. I canﾕt understand it. Big cities like Tokyo and Sapporo are more accepting of disabled people, but teachers, students, and PTA members at Rumoi Junior High School were unsocialable. In high school and college, people do an about-face compared to elementary and junior high school.ﾓ

We asked about her college life next. ﾒI have seen the society which does not approve of the disabled. I considered what I can do and should do. Then I began studying welfare in order to get licenses for certified social workers and counselors. I want to be a social worker or a consultant. In college life, besides studying, I want to take part in the YOSAKOI Souran festival, but all I can do now is live alone. It is OK, because I do what I want and it is very comfortable.ﾓ

Even though she says she is comfortable, there are some troubles which only disabled people have. The kitchen system is for people with normal and healthy bodies. Of course she can not use it, so volunteers cook for her. Since she has to use catheters when she urinates, they must learn how to set it. When she uses the subways, she has to notify stations in advance where she will get on and off in order to ask the clerks to help because the wheels could get stuck in the gaps between the cars and the platforms. Sometimes she goes shopping by car which volunteers drive. These things show again that the systems and facilities which we normally use bother her in many cases.

Not only her parents but also others support her. She especially thanks a businessman very much. He tried to help her get into a regular class seven years ago. When a junior high school teacher demanded her to stop her law suit, she called him and consulted with him about the trial. He encouraged her a lot. X-JAPANﾕs songs saved her from depression. She is looking forward to going to GLAYﾕs concert with her friends now.

Most people, however, come in contact with her lacking in understanding. Passersby turn their gaze on her when she uses a wheelchair downtown. She thinks that is why we studied in school separated from the disabled. ﾒThe authorities say they aim to spread ﾔnormalizationﾕ (the idea that disabled people and people with normal and healthy bodies assert themselves and recognize each otherﾕs individuality), but I donﾕt see any changes in the system or the facilities so far.ﾓ

As she said, we have few chances to communicate with the disabled, and therefore we donﾕt know how. She gave us advice. ﾒA lot of the disabled donﾕt think we have handicaps. We are angry rather than feel sad when we are treated as disabled, so we would like to be treated as people with normal and healthy bodies . We would like you to joke with us, and put up with us. You can do that. We do as much by ourselves as possible. We will ask for help when we need it. Then you can help us. Therefore, we hope you will turn to look at us when you hear our request. Maybe people are conscious of us too much. Donﾕt think about it. Please feel by your hearts and bodies by doing something together with us.ﾓ

What she said made me feel a kind of relief. I felt strongly that we need more chances to talk with each other. When you hear her tell her opinions clearly, you feel a good impression and you want to listen to her. At first we who interviewed Yamazaki spread her ideas to our acquaintances. We at YFN will hold an event at SU so that more people can listen to her. We hope it will create a deeper understanding between "normal people" and "disabled people".