On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 4, 2024
I wonder what grade Nasser from the film The Relation (played by Khosrow Shakibaei) would give us today for the facilities and opportunities we’ve provided for him and those like him. Or Mohammad, the blind boy in The Color of Paradise, who sought both adventure and God. Or Maryam and Reza in The Painting Pool, who only knew love—expressing, understanding, and singing it.
They probably wouldn’t feel ashamed of being blind, deaf, or not particularly “normal.” In fact, they’d take pride in the treasures within them, gems rarely found in so-called healthy individuals. I imagine Mohammad walking humbly but confidently, delivering a world painted in God’s colors to humanity. Perhaps Nasser, with his relentless efforts, would rise to greatness, becoming a musician or even a president to build a better world—just as he created a better one for himself and others. Maryam and Reza would continue their journey of love and devotion, making their son Soheil proud, as he learns compassion from the rarest, most loving parents who live by kindness.
Perhaps it’s worth examining this further. What wonders have non-disabled people accomplished that persons with disabilities haven’t? Often, this noble and insightful group shows more appreciation for themselves and their life opportunities than many others.
Globally, an average of 1–3% of newborns are born with congenital disabilities, a figure influenced by factors such as genetics, healthcare access, and prenatal care. If the world adopted the perspective, resolve, and generosity of these remarkable individuals, it would undoubtedly be a better place. Perhaps it’s time to recognize that losing one sense doesn’t mean losing the ability to thrive. Instead, it can lead to excellence in other areas, much like the Japanese swimmer without arms, or Zahra Ettehad-Saltaneh, an artist who paints her vivid world without hands.
Challenges surely exist, but it seems these individuals understand better than most that obstacles are the flavor of life. Think of Stephen Hawking—nothing about him reflected weakness or disability. What he embodied was power, intellect, and respect.
Do you agree that calmness and happiness seem to radiate from such individuals, as if they are riding the waves of life with ease?
I recall visiting a school for the visually impaired, where young girls in their dark world showcased brilliant empathy and profound imagination. Their creativity, though imperfect, was sweet and complete—transcending their perceived limitations. Typing stories on Braille machines, they seemed like magicians casting spells on blank pages, creating unique, captivating worlds.
Sure, many conditions are needed for their talents to blossom. But what about us, with our health and privileges? Sometimes, we marvel at blind individuals painting or playing the piano. On those black-and-white keys, they create not just music but life itself—channeling their inner melody, much like Beethoven, who crafted masterpieces from darkness, or Andrea Bocelli, whose illness never defeated him and who graces the world with his heavenly voice.
In the Paralympic Games, countless champions refuse to let their missing limbs define them. They stare down their disabilities and prove that determination, willpower, and love transcend the physical. These extraordinary individuals reveal their souls to us—a strength we often envy. Understanding, kindness, and depth are clearly beyond the physical, yet why do we keep ignoring this truth?
