Personal Narrative: 23-Year-Caucasian Girl

Walking into the Southfield Public Library I had never been more nervous. She, Alicia, was waiting on me. I walked in, spotted her sitting by the middle booth in the café; I ascended to the table as she waved at me. I sat down, exchanged salutations and began the interview. Alicia is a 23 year Caucasian woman that was born without any disabilities. For most of her life she was a temporarily able-bodied person, just like me, with the mentality that nothing tragic could happen to her. She went on to explain how and when her mentality changed. She began, “It was a beautiful spring day….May 23, 2007. We were riding to his parents’ house for a family dinner when it happened….The driver did not stop.” I was completely engaged at this point. It was tragic. A truck driver was coming off of the freeway too fast and tried to beat the traffic light at the top of the ramp. He went through the light and smashed right into the side
“I never considered myself disabled, I still don’t. I can do everything that I used to do just in a different way.” Alicia went on to tell me that she is not immune to the stares that she gets from strangers. “When people stare sometimes I ask, is there something on my shirt or face? Did I drop food?” She laughed as she said that. It is very apparent that she is comfortable with herself and has no ill feelings about what has happened to her. We have been here for almost an hour now and I asked Alicia to leave me with one thing that she would want people to know about her and any other person in her situation. She said, “I would want people to know that we (people with disabilities) are just like everyone else. We can do the same things, just in a different manner. We want to be independent, loved, and treated like equals. We are happy with ourselves. Please treat us as such.” I thanked Alicia with a hug and proceeded to the