Isida Dervishhasani: ABLEISM IN MY HOME COUNTRY

LEXO NE SHQIP GJITHASHTU

My summer vacation in Albania was great but bittersweet. Albania is a wonderful country, with lively cities and breathtaking beaches. The time I spent with my uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends was precious and irreplaceable. They are my family, and I love them, but I see my country of birth through different eyes than I did as a child.

Despite the warm affection I receive over there, a part of me is deeply upset about Albania's attitude towards people with disabilities. The community of people with disabilities, of which I am part, is one of the most marginalized and discriminated communities by the Albanian government and by the Albanian" Normal Population ". This type of discrimination is called "ABLEISM".

First, the definition of the word "ABLEISM" is discrimination, prejudice or unfair treatment of people with disabilities. It's the attitude of society that someone is less capable because of their disability. It can affect daily life and cause emotional distress to a person with a disability. There are different forms of ableism, such as institutional ableism, social ableism, and internalized ableism. A person can be ableist intentionally or unintentionally.

 Albanian culture is inherently ableist. People often manifest ableism out of curiosity, and sometimes, without realizing it. Strangers in the public spaces stare at a person in a wheelchair and say those words, which are psychologically harmful, out of goodwill. In their opinion, they are helping a person with a disability by saying phrases that make them uncomfortable, such as "Poor you." It is the mother of all ableist quotes. Another common phrase is, "God help you." These phrases revoke pity, which is the worst enemy of the community with disabilities. It would have an impact on the mental health of a disabled person. In rare cases, quotes above can cause depression in a person who is already in agony about their condition.

I was born in Elbasan, Albania, and I have cerebral palsy, which does not allow me to walk or talk. I lived in Albania for 14 years before migrating to Canada. I grew up in that environment, surrounded by people who felt sorry for me. The comment filled with poison, "Ah sa gjynah", in English," Oh, what a pity", walked with me everywhere I went. At that time, I was too young to know that I had a disability. I didn't quite understand the meaning of that phrase, but my mother was deeply offended by those who said it. As I grew older, I became more aware of my condition; those words were a part of life for me. Ignoring those sorrowful eyes, I made my own way and lived my life in Elbasan. I've always seen myself as a person, not a disability.

However, this summer was different. While I was enjoying myself on the Albanian beaches, I started noticing a new disrespectful gesture towards people with disabilities. Along with the usual phrases that do not disappear in Albania, some people were throwing coins at my lap. According to their mentality, I beg for a living because I am disabled, even though I was wearing trendy outfits. This act made me feel shocked, devalued and depressed. Coin-throwing was new to me. I did not experience that when I lived back home.

Furthermore, penny throwing acts as another sign of how society stigmatizes the disabled community. The media reinforces the negative stereotype that people with disabilities are primarily objects of charity, which shapes the way the public acts. I understand that some disabled people have no other way to make a living but to beg due to governmental neglect of our community, but not all of us live in poverty. Some live below the poverty line; others come from wealthy families. Disability does not only affect people with low incomes. It is part of the lives of people from all walks of life, regardless of their economic status. Therefore, assuming someone needs charity because they have a disability is highly ableist; it doesn't matter if it's done with good intentions.

Moreover, in my country, many people like me with university degrees aspire to join the workforce. Unfortunately, the odds for a person with a disability to have a job in Albania are only an illusion. Institutional ableism must not allow it to happen at any cost. In Albania, a person's appearance is valued more than their merits in a job interview. Of course, our minds are crippled as well, even though Stephen Hawking had a severe disability, but the Albanian government would prefer to ignore him completely. Our government instead reinforces the ever-changing stereotype that a disabled person is equivalent to a dead person.

To make matters worse, Albania lacks a Paralympic team because there are no accessible gyms for athletes with disabilities. It is a clear example of how discriminated against we are, as the disabled people of Albania, by high institutions. Famous athletes with disabilities like Haki Doku, who is an inspiration for my community, are completely ignored by the Albanian media. For the media of my home country, an athlete with a disability is a person who cries in shows, like "For Albanians", hosted by Elvis Naçi. The institutional discrimination against people with disabilities is the most dangerous form of ableism. Is the intentional ableism that influences the unintentional ableism for the worse? That is why I am very pessimistic that people with disabilities would be a part of society in Albania.

In conclusion, ableism in Albania is deeply rooted in its culture and everyday life. The economy of the country is indeed growing rapidly, but the mentality of nondisabled people towards people with disabilities would take centuries to change. As for me, Albania is my homeland, and its ableism is my muse to advocate against it. I am not going to abandon or deny my home country, where I have most of my family, and my most marvellous childhood memories. Its ABLEISM will not separate me from my Albania!