The Big Picture
#voicesforinclusion-9
Meet our youngest respondent, Aratrik Dey, for this series Voices For Inclusion. Additionally, this is the account of a family who continue to make an effort to make their son's world inclusive, in their sphere of influence. This family believes giving Aratrik a "normal" life filled with friends, relationships and outings is the most important thing. The first part of the interview is with Aratrik, who responded to a questionnaire. The second part is an interview with the Dey family.
Aratrik’s interview- Part 1
1) People have always felt the need to belong. Earlier it was with tribes and later with religions, sects, or
states. But if one looks at history, for people the world over, inclusion in many
situations has been a challenge.
What
are your views on inclusion? Why is it important?
Aratrik: Understand that much of
the diversity is being misunderstood by society. For me too many negative
thoughts are associated with the noninclusion . For tomorrow good people must be grouped together for inclusion of all people
in the mainstream of the society. Nobody should be excluded, what is important
is love for humanity. Me, as an autistic
person, deprived of many opportunities; nonspeaking created problems. Hope that
no other person faces the same.
2) You have had some wonderful mentors. If you had
to pick some qualities of theirs that the society can imbibe, at large,
what would they be?
My mentors and teachers are very good
natured persons. They believe in me, trust in my ability, and together we spend
very good time. Their self-respect, understanding and love for me is precious.
If society imbibes these qualities, it would be good for humanity.
In my opinion Antara is like my friend, she's so good that I
never felt like I am disabled. Only hoping for with each of other people be
like her.
3) I read
from your fb page, you have been part of social campaigns, like covid relief,
blood donations. What are your takeaways from these experiences?
I
Really feel that from the beginning, my opinion on the outside world has been
formed by these events. My own self Advocacy power grew out of these.
4) I am aware that you enjoy reading, particularly
philosophy. What qualities make a person a good human being? The significance
of having a self-identity, regardless of how the outside world perceives you.
In
my opinion knowing the answer to the questions posed by life is Knowing the
life itself. Only books can help us to understand the unspoken language of
life. Nothing in this world is more important than acquisition of knowledge. To
me very much interesting subject is PHILOSOPHY. I'M currently reading Sophie’s
world by Jostein Gaarder. Good human
beings don't oppress others.
It's important to know about different types of disabilities to support
them. However the knowledge must be
first hand. Much of the information about autism are not talking about
the intelligence of autistic people. People judge us just by observing our
behaviour. My feelings society should
understand. Just because I don't talk nobody should discard my opinion.
I know that music is my most favorite thing on this earth. It gives me
peace. My not so easy life is made meaning full by music. My parents take me out to vacation. I like to
travel to new places. New places give me knowledge about people living there,
their lives, beauty and joy in nature.
Thank you Aratrik, for answering the questionnaire.
#inclusion #philosophy #nonspeaking #vacation #music #reading @jostingaarder
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