Ever Felt Stuck and Alone?
Introduction:
For example, being in a crowded market, attempting to navigate through the stalls whilst carrying heavy bags, simultaneously being vigilant and wishing someone would offer to assist in lessening your burden, perhaps by helping to carry part of your load. Or perhaps you have been at a busy bus stop, struggling to carry your luggage whilst holding onto your phone, which you are using to obtain directions to your destination. Alternatively, you may have been driving on a rough road, surrounded by insecurity, and wished someone could offer to escort you to safety? Or maybe you have witnessed an accident scene where everyone is too scared to help, opting instead to film the incident with their phones? Or worse still, you have seen someone being attacked, crying out for help, and yet everyone around just minds their own business, too fearful to intervene?
The Interconnectedness of Human Experience: Why We All Need Help
As humans, we often pride ourselves on our independence and self-sufficiency. However, the truth is that we are all interconnected and dependent on each other in various ways. Whether we realise it or not, we all need help and support at some point in our lives.
This notion is often noticed in situations where people are vulnerable and require assistance. For instance, I recall a personal experience where, on one occasion at school, I struggled to fill out a form amidst a crowded and chaotic environment. Despite being surrounded by people, I was ignored, and nobody offered to help until one person paused to take the initiative to assist me.
Similarly, I have heard stories of others who have faced similar challenges. One such story that comes to mind is that of a visually impaired individual who, on one occasion, attempted to register for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Despite waiting for over an hour, nobody came to his aid until someone intervened and asked for help on his behalf.
We see this vulnerability in various aspects of life. A child standing alone on the road, attempting to cross without assistance, is a clear example. An elderly person struggling to accomplish a task that requires physical strength. Or another waiting in a long queue to be attended to. In these situations, it is evident that help is needed, yet often, people pass by without raising an eyebrow.
These experiences illustrate the importance of human response in achieving accessibility and inclusivity. However, it is essential to recognise that the need for help and support is not unique to any particular group. We all need help in various aspects of our lives, whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological.
In fact, one could argue that our dependence on each other is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. We all have limitations and vulnerabilities that require the support and assistance of others. Whether it be a new mother needing help with childcare, a student seeking guidance from a teacher, or a business owner relying on employees to manage their operations, we are all interconnected and interdependent.
So, what can we do to create a more inclusive and supportive environment? Here are a few suggestions:
- Practice empathy and understanding by taking the time to listen to people’s experiences and challenges.
- Offer assistance if/when you see someone struggling and in need of help, without being reluctant to do so.
- Create spaces where physical and social environments are married with accessibility and inclusivity.
- Recognise our interconnectedness as humans, acknowledging that we all need each other’s helping hands and support in various aspects of our lives.
However, it is crucial to recognise that these values must be deeply ingrained in our culture and daily lives. It is only when we make helping others a normal part of our everyday living, only when children are taught in schools and at home that helping others is a fundamental aspect of being human; only when the importance of empathy and kindness is re-emphasised in places of worship, only then will we see real change.
When helping others becomes second nature, when it is a cultural norm, that is when we will see the results of advocating for accessibility and inclusivity truly come to life.
But will there ever come a time when this will be the reality in a country like Nigeria, where disability and inclusivity deficiencies are still prevalent? Will there ever come a time globally when helping others becomes an automatic response, a second nature to us as human beings? Well, to your thoughts I leave these questions.
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