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BY COLIN CRAIG

GUEST OPINION

I’m an Islander born and raised, and for 20 years of my life I was a police officer with the Charlottetown police department. During my time as an officer, I sustained some injuries (an altercation with an individual resulting in a total knee replacement) that - in part - led to my having to go on medical disability about 10 years ago.

This was a tough pill to swallow, both physically mentally and financially, as I was only in my 40s at the time with a family to support. Being on disability is not a choice for me, and it is no picnic; your salary is a mere fraction of what it would be as an able-bodied person, and after numerous and varied surgeries, I have some good days and some not-so-good days.

On the not-so-good days I have to go up the stairs in my home on my behind as it is too painful to walk. I can’t shovel the driveway, or clean the house, and often have to sit out on events with the family. On the good days, I do what I can to contribute to my community, my household and my family.

Today (Feb 20th) started out as a good day. I was finally feeling like getting out and about so my wife and I visited my parents and ran a couple of errands. We stopped at Home Depot around 11 a.m. and the smaller Atlantic Superstore at about 11:30, both times parking in the designated disabled parking areas with my disabled parking permit properly displayed hanging in the window.

Sadly, while loading the groceries into my vehicle, I noticed someone had vandalized my rear window by writing, “Are you disabled????” on it. My good day went directly down the toilet, as I sat in my vehicle and cried and raged about how mean and judgmental people can be. On the way home, I made a point of stopping at the office of the P.E.I. Council of the Disabled where I told them what had happened. They were dismayed and disappointed at how this person behaved as well.

Regretfully this is not the first time I have been treated this way. Less than two months ago, I parked in the designated spot, hung my tag and made my way into a local store, but was followed - not only into but around the store - by a belligerent elderly man “tsk tsk-ing” behind me and saying, “You’re a fake, you’re not disabled.” As he kept after me, I realized he was actually directing his comments towards me, so I kept my cool and said, “Excuse me sir, but you know nothing about me.” He continued to stalk me around the store and harass me with his comments so I left the store before my cool head took its leave and I reacted poorly. (I was raised to be more respectful of others than this guy was, apparently).

I have a list much longer than I care to divulge about how very justified I am in having a disabled parking permit, and frankly it’s nobody’s business. I work very hard to exercise in the limited ways that I can to maintain some sense of mobility, and I guess a shout-out to my team of doctors and surgeons is in order as well because apparently to some of the general public I have no signs of physical impairment at all.

You see, I either refuse, or some might say I am too stubborn to take it easy. I don’t want to become overweight, I do not want to lose what mobility I do have and I do not want to be a burden to the health care system, and I intend to fight my health issues every step of the way and I make no apologies for that. I take responsibility for my health and do what I can to help myself, as many of the issues I deal with are beyond the point of repair.

In closing, apparently it bears repeating that not all disabilities are visible to everyone and that society would be better off without so many judgmental people. Instead of scrawling your ugliness on a window, maybe take the time to offer your help to someone with a disability. Perhaps in your ignorance, if you so desperately wanted to know and had asked politely, I would’ve shared my story with you. However, at this point, I’m much more likely to whip down my pants and let you have a look at what’s left of my legs and maybe then you’d be a little more understanding.

- Colin G. Craig of Charlottetown is a 20-year veteran with the Charlottetown police department, before going on medical disability 10 years ago to deal with an injury sustained while on the job.