The Handicapped

The Handicapped

            While delving into the topic of disability through the essay, “The Handicapped” by Randolph Bourne, I was able to learn the effects of limitation due to physical circumstances on a person’s life. Despite his physical differences, Randolph Bourne graduated from Columbia University and worked as a journalist, social critic, political activist, and an advocate. Learning from the hardships that constantly challenged him, Bourne describes that being handicapped had its advantages as much as it had its disadvantages. First, he describes his disadvantages by describing how he often neglected himself and always believed that he was not capable of achieving success and acceptance in society even with the best attitude. He also depicts a sense of discrimination he faced from the society when he was left out at social events or when he was in search for a job and found himself being given a fewer chance for acceptance compared to those without a handicap. However, he tells us the positives of having deformities as well, for he was able to understand a better perspective of the world and able to achieve self- respect and wide- ranged of intellectual achievements.

            Through Bourne’s realization that deformed can establish achievements as well, he speaks for the handicapped to have hope and to find satisfaction in their experiences no matter how hard and bitter their journey was. He encourages his readers to never judge their abilities by comparing their achievements with others and to search for those who they can rely on. He achieves this purpose by speaking through a first person narrative, allowing the readers to rely on his thoughts and to relate their experiences with his. Not only that, but he also uses pathos, heart- rendering stories to capture the attentions of the readers. Overall, Randolph Bourne successfully accomplished his purpose in indicating that the handicapped have the abilities to make changes in the world just like others through sharing the lessons he learned through his adversities.

Tony Parsons: The Handicapped Aren't Worth It

The disabled don’t want special treatment. They just want a fair treatment and a helping hand.

Works Cited

"Randolph Bourne Institute." Randolph Bourne Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2015.

"Tony Parsons Column Disabled Go from Paralympic Winners to Humiliated as 'scroungers' in Space of a Year." Mirror.             N.p., 14 June 2013. Web. 17 Aug. 2015.