Whatever Happened to Compassion?

Whatever Happened to Compassion?

Compassion. Defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  What happened to it?  Often I feel like compassion is missing from our society. 

This month Disneyland changed their disabled guest access policies due to rampant abuse of their Guest Assistance Cards (GAC).  If you’ve been there recently, you’ve probably observed abuse of these passes.  The abuse had reached epic proportions prompting Disney to change its policies. It is a real blow for people with disabilities, and the really dishearting part is that Disney was ever given a reason to change their policies.

What happened to cause so many people to believe it was okay for them to cheat the system?  That they, too, were entitled to a GAC?  I believe one reason is an overall lack of compassion and a presence of selfishness.  Instead of other guests seeing a person using a GAC and being grateful that Disney was offering assistance to someone in need, other guests felt jealous. 

Other guests watched those with GAC passes “go to the front of the line” and “not have to wait” and felt this was unfair. And of course, life MUST be fair.  I only have to have compassion and kindness when life is fair.  If you missed the memo, life isn’t fair.  Ever.  When did our society start seeing disabled access as a “privilege” to be gained?  When did being first become more important than compassion? 

Let’s assume for a minute that the GAC really DO give special treatment to people with disabilities (which for the most part is completely untrue, but that is another entire topic), would that really be so bad?  Would it really be so awful for there to be ONE place on earth where having a disability gave you a bit of an edge?  Would it be so hard to celebrate a company that chose to have compassion and mercy toward those who struggle every day? 

If we really had a sense of compassion as a society, we would see another struggling and we would happily allow them to go first or anything else that would alleviate their distress.  However, I think our society lacks a consciousness of others’ distresses as well as a lack of compassion when they are made aware of them.  Get over it seems to be the prevailing attitude. 

When did we become so uncompassionate and selfish as a society?  What are we going to do about it? 

A New Perspective on that Disneyland Magic

Disneyland.  The theme park of all theme parks.  Beloved by many.  I’ve always loved Disneyland.  There is just something about it.  But, when Melody was born, Disneyland became even more appreciated.  I gained a completely new perspective into what they call their "Magic."

I’ve been pondering a lot since the hoopla about Disneyland changing its procedures this month for people with disabilities.  I’ve stayed out of the fray for many reasons.  However, I had to share a bit from my perspective, and mine alone.  I can’t speak for someone who is disabled, or for those who have “unseen” disabilities.  I can only speak as the mother of a child with spina bifida who has mobility issues and usually uses a wheelchair, especially at a place like Disneyland. 

We have not been to Disneyland in awhile, and when we were we used the GAC (Guest Assistance Card) which allowed Melody's stroller to be viewed as a wheelchair.  This was such a blessing as it allowed us to take it INTO the lines with us.  (not to the front of every line as many mistakenly believe) So, admittedly, my perspective is a couple years old.

So, here are some of my thoughts.  But, as this is such a complicated issues with a myriad of implications, this blog will soon be followed by the “Whatever Happened to Compassion,” “Life is Not Fair” and the “Prizes and Privileges?”  blogs. 

Things that made Disneyland “Magic” for our family and our child with disabilities:

-          Complete access to their park.  There are very few things you cannot do at Disneyland regardless of abilities. 

-          It is the ONLY place I can say this about and I’ve been to many theme parks, small amusement parks, fairs, etc.  Disneyland is the best.  The others are ADA compliant, I am sure.  But, you can comply with ADA regulations and not really be friendly to people with disabilities.

-          Their “cast” is well-educated about all their accommodations and how to meet needs.  I’ve never seen the “deer in the headlight” look when I approach or the ignorance when I ask questions that I’ve encountered almost everywhere else. 

-          Their facilities provide everything I’ve ever needed to care for my child’s medical needs.  They are clean and staffed with friendly cast members.

-          They not only accommodate the person with a disability, but they allow the whole FAMILY to be together.  This is a precious gift.  You have NO idea. 

-          Provides a day where you get to feel kind of “normal.”  Where you don’t feel like you are always trying to figure out a way or explain things to people.  Disney has gone ahead and figured it out and made a way before you even get there.  You don’t know how welcome this is until you’ve stayed up nights before attending a new location and worrying about how it will work for your child.

-          In my opinion, Disney doesn’t HAVE to go out of their way to accommodate. Yes, they have to be ADA compliant, but that is it.  But, they do it anyway!  What a blessing to experience a company that goes out of their way to provide for people with disabilities. 

-          It is a breath of fresh air to be at a place that doesn’t just have a “just deal with it” mentality.

-          Let’s assume for a minute that the GAC (guest assistance card) is a privilege and a cut to the front of the line pass.  (which neither are true, but that is a whole essay in itself) Would it be wrong for there to be ONE PLACE ON EARTH where having a disability actually tipped the scales in your favor for a bit? 

And those are some reasons why I’m sad Disney is changing their policies.  I am hopeful that the new procedures will be equally friendly, but I’m concerned that they will not curb the systemic abuses.  And until that happens, I know who will get the short end of the stick in this equation.  It will remain to be seen the next time we return whether that "magic" is there anymore.