@truecomedian – I don’t know @KeithWilson, nor do I know the extent of his issues. I do know several times his diagnosis has been mentioned, and by the sound of his answers, it seems to fit. It doesn’t matter to me if his illness is mild or severe, I do not think it is appropriate to entertain someone’s dillusions or grandiose thinking if it is apparent he/she has a mental illness. It simply is not appropriate. This goes for @KeithWilson and anyone else who displays such thinking or behaviors.
You’re right when you say there’s a different between physical and mental disabilities. Generally, physical can be seen by others. There are some hidden physical disabilities, such as some hearing or visual disabilities. For the most part though, someone can see a physical disability. Mental handicaps (as you called them) are really cognitive disabilities – they can be caused by chemical imbalances, brain abnormalities or injuries, environmental causes, or a combination thereof. The unfortunate part about cognitive disabilities is that they are usually hidden (most people won’t see the disability unless there are obvious behaviors).
Both physical and cognitive disabilities are serious – they have a significant impact on those with the disability and their family and friends.
You’re right when you say that people with disabilities want to be treated like they are normal. But what does this really mean? To be treated “normal” means to be treated with dignity and respect, not to be treated unfairly, not to be mocked or ridiculed or played. It means to treat the person and their abilities on the same level as you would anyone else.
When you (or anyone else) toys with someone’s disability (as I believe has happened in this thread), then you (and anyone else) are not treating @KeithWilson like he’s “normal.” In fact, you (and anyone else) are objectifying a symptom of someone’s disability and using it for your own pleasure.
Like I said, I don’t know @KeithWilson. For all I know he could be lying and not have a disability. However, I take this thread at face value and I see someone with a disability being mistreated. I’m writing all of this to say: it is never ever cool to toy with, to ridicule or mock a person with a disability – no matter the disability, no matter the symptom. It does not matter if @KeithWilson has a bona fide disability. He says he does, his behavior verifies it, and that’s enough for me. If it’s known (that someone has a disability), to continue toying with, mocking, etc. on any level shows more about who you are as a person than it does about proving or disproving the person who has the disability. If you continue to say it’s okay, then there’s no reasoning with you – because no matter what I say from this point forward, you will defend your right to toy with, ridicule, etc., someone with a disability. In your world, it’s okay to do so if they have a mild mental disability. For you, this is okay. For me and others who have compassion, the capability of feeling empathy, and willingness to treat others with dignity, this is not okay.
