Friendship is an important aspect of one’s life. In a day and age where loneliness is prevalent, especially for students, it is important to consider how you can support and uplift your friends and make more connections with people who may be different from you.
You should try to make friends with disabilities or other differences. It is not hard and they can become your best friends in the world.
In my experience as a disabled Mercer student, relationships with others have been an important piece of my academic and interpersonal journey. I never take it for granted especially since I know what it’s like to lose friends.
I was born with Down Syndrome and I grew up learning how to be independent and how to take care of myself. But when I moved out of my parents’ house into my own apartment some friends who were still living at home dropped me.
Having a disability can make friendships hard as you can feel like your friends don’t understand you or do not really appreciate you for who you are as a person, whether they have disabilities themselves or not.
An important thing to be aware of when developing friendships with people with any difficulties is that these struggles will differ from person to person so you must get to know the person and inquire honestly about how you can better support them as a friend.
I write for The VOICE newspaper and I try to be a voice for our disability community on campus. I try never to be afraid. Making new friendships takes courage for me and for you, too, I bet.
I am always willing to be your friend if you are kind and respectful. If you have a disability or not you can always reach out to me through The VOICE. I am here for all MCCC students.
College friends are precious.
