Source: www.pixabay.com

Films, adverts, news and other programs tend to have people who are 5 foot 5 or more, able to walk and talk. There are few people that are short, tall or have obvious disabilities.

For example, how many people do you notice in the media or in films that:

• Are in a wheelchair
• Are 4 foot or less, or more than 6 foot 3 tall
• Have one or more limbs missing
• Cannot walk easily
• Cannot hear or see

It is great, that recently we see:

• People in the Paralympics and Parathletics
• People who used to be in the armed services
• Three comedians on The Last Leg program
• One or two people in the news that appear to have obvious medical conditions
• Very occasionally an advert with someone in a wheelchair

Compare these with the many seen daily in our lives and you may wonder what’s happening?

I believe that we are not recognised for what we can do, how reliable we can be and what we can bring to many roles and jobs that we could be offered. Across the nation, if we are offered jobs and involved more, the resulting benefits would be much more than just paying us for our time.

When a person has a job or something constructive to do, it gives them a sense of purpose, which can dramatically reduce or get rid of depression, darkness in their life and many other such negative issues.

There are more dark-skinned people in the media than there was years ago, so people of other backgrounds and abilities also need to be seen more. Changes are needed to give people a purpose, to help them mix and socialise, to help them develop and learn so many abilities.

These benefits are not just about money, although it will save the nation lots of cash. Being out of the home learning new things and helping so many, potentially can reduce welfare benefit payments as the person is getting a wage that in some cases can lead to them being paid a lot of money, so further reducing their reliance on the state and actually enabling them to pay money into the state.

Isn’t it a great idea to offer roles to people who are largely forgotten about or that miss out on opportunities? How can people get such roles without experience? How can we get experience when we are not offered jobs, even when we try hard?

What a great world and nation it would be if we were are all involved and represented? How many adverts showing a person using a rise recliner chair, stair lift or mobility scooter, actually pay or have someone in the advert that would use such equipment?

We have much to give if we are given the chance to show what we can do!!

By Steven Purdy