The Number One Circus Monkey

“Do you know how circus monkeys are? They get applauded when they can ride a bicycle, but they can never win against a human.” Those words came from my friend Sapto Kridayanto, who is also visually impaired, when we were discussing society's views on people with disabilities. Perhaps it's a somewhat crude analogy, but at the very least, it simply explains what comes to mind when encountering them. But will the circus monkey always be seen negatively? Can't the greatest circus be created, one that no one can rival? According to my friend, there are three common perspectives from the general public when they see people with disabilities. First, there is an attitude of underestimating their abilities. This is influenced by long-standing stigmas in society that consider them weak, deficient, and unproductive. For example, when the word 'visually impaired' comes to mind, the image that often appears is that of a masseur or a beggar on a street bridge. There's a tendency to judge them lowly even before knowing their individual competencies. Second, there is an attitude of overexpectation or excessive assumptions. Many people consider people with disabilities to be 'saints' who are inherently good. However, they are also human beings with diverse individual characteristics. Some might be malicious, or genuinely good. Furthermore, this view sometimes leads to inappropriate leniency towards them. For instance, when they make a mistake at work, people might say, 'Oh well, they're disabled, so it's understandable.' This is certainly detrimental because it can lead to them perpetually being seen as lacking professionalism. Lastly, there's the acceptance of people with disabilities as 'circus monkeys.' Like a circus monkey, it will be applauded by the audience for doing ordinary things, but because a monkey does it, it seems extraordinary. For example, throwing a bottle, riding a bicycle, etc. However, no matter how skillfully that monkey rides a bicycle, it would never be entered into the Tour de France. The same applies to people with disabilities. They might be admired when they appear on television shows demonstrating their ability to use computers, solve Rubik's cubes, or play chess. However, no company or institution would want to employ them, even if they possess the same computer skills, simply because they are disabled. Thus, they are only admired within the circus arena, not when they are outside of it. So, what is the ideal perspective? They want to be seen as ordinary human beings with unique qualities, potential, and dignity. Disability is part of societal diversity. Just as when you see people with black, white, or brown skin, etc. There are also people with curly, straight, wavy hair, and so on. They only have physical/mental limitations, not deficiencies. These limitations can be overcome if there is access to ensure their rights are equal to those without limitations. Therefore, this condition does not mean they are necessarily unproductive, saintly, or any other label. Just like other humans, they have their own individual characteristics. But, back to the Circus Monkey issue. There's another opinion: if it is indeed considered a circus, why not create a fantastic one? A circus that no one else can rival? This is like converting what is perceived as a limitation into a superpower. Is it possible? Of course, it's not impossible. With technological support, there are many ways people with disabilities can do things that the general public cannot even do. For example, by becoming bloggers, writers, digital music arrangers, entrepreneurs, and other professions that not everyone can perform. If they are indeed considered monkeys, then so be it, as long as they become the number one circus monkeys that even humans cannot surpass.(DPM)