(Hosted & Produced by Marlon “Shymar” Molinos)

Air Date: Wednesday, 12/18/2019

The View from Chair Level is a talk show that discusses various topics from the viewpoint of Marlon Molinos an individual living with Cerebral Palsy since birth. The goal of this show is to inspire everyone to look past your limitations and find creative ways to accomplish your daily goals. A free mind is limitless, and you are the only one that sets your own limits. 

Featured Song: Taylor Swift - Change

Disabled persons also suffer from socio / emotional and psychological challenges due to the way society view the disabled. People usually pass comments and remarks that are insensitive. Generally, people even use derogatory words when referring to the disabled persons e.g. Chimera-disabled. Sometimes they are not even counted as humans and are referred to as disabled-chimera. It is for this reason the word disabled is being substituted with physically or mentally challenged. These societal attitudes are found at all levels from family, Government level and international level. For instance, the 2016 Para Olympics had difficulties in finding sponsors for the tournament yet the tournament for the able bodied had no difficulties in being sponsored.
Rebuttal: It’s not surprising to see and hear that life for those with disabilities have faced and continue to face ignorance and unfair treatment as society continues to evolve. For those affected with disabilities, it is up to us to educate, and advocate for our needs. We need to stop taking things personally when we meet someone who is not educated with how to interact with the disabled. As with all movements, equality for disabilities require a little bit of finesse and understanding on both sides. We can't just go in guns blazing.
Even when the disabled decide to enter into marriages, it affects them as they are stigmatized. Superstitious beliefs frown at marriages between an able body and a disabled person. It is regarded as a bad omen by the family of the able-bodied person. Able bodied persons are not so keen to marry the physically challenged. Even when the disabled person find a partner, he/she may not be accepted.
Rebuttal: in some ways I can understand and empathize with the family because from the non-disabled perspective, being with a disabled person from the start of the relationship can bring a feeling of being burdened by the added pressure of not only taking care of the household, but the disabled person as well. From the disabled person’s perspective, we already have the added feeling of being inadequate because of our disability. Finding that one person who loves us no matter our short comings is a blessing that we hold dear. The one thing that should be taken from being with someone who is disabled is that we are very committed people when we see that our partners are truly committed to us. The extended family will always have their doubts, but isn’t that the same with all families? Being married to someone with a disability doesn’t guarantee a perfect marriage, but like with all marriages; the goal is to find that one person who makes you feel like you can do anything and if you find them, hold on tight and enjoy each other’s company.

Beside the traditional beliefs that disabled persons could have committed abominable sins, some healing and deliverance churches have joined the band wagon, added to the psychological. They cast aspersions towards the disabled and view the disabled as lacking in faith when they are not healed after being prayed for. This shows how difficult it is for disabled to integrate with the rest of society.

Rebuttal: It’s sad, but true. The truth is no matter what we do whether it’s to educate or advocate, there will always be those whose faith and beliefs are so strong that we can’t change their minds. We can only do so much. It has taken me many years to finally accept my disability to where I chose to look at it as a cause to inspire through my actions. I truly believe that I am not a mistake and that god made me this way to help inspire and educate the masses. I see now that everything I have done from the experiences I’ve had and the accomplishments I have done has led me to help inspire in my own way. As a society, we need to change our attitudes towards our fellow man and keep evolving to a higher place because if we don’t try to change then we will ultimately be left behind.

Marlon Molinos – "it doesn't matter how a disability or situation is acquired. What matters is how you overcome, survive, and thrive with it."