MITCH LONGLEY - Interview:

From: Interview Magazine, February 1992
By: Mitch Longley


In November 1990, I went to Egypt and conducted research on disability-related issues. I thought I could take my life experience of being a paraplegic for almost eight years and "teach" the Egyptians about handicap awareness. Instead, they did most of the teaching, and I often found myself the pupil. From what I witnessed, to the way I was treated (not so much as a foreigner, but as a young man in a wheelchair), the atmosphere there was one of deep emotional support among all people, disabled or not.

I remember sitting at the side of a street outside Cairo, awed by its diverse activity and commotion. My eye was caught by these two guys riding a bicycle. Something about the one sitting on the handlebars looked familiar. It was his legs. They dangled to one side, and I could tell they were paralyzed. His balance wasn't great, so he leaned back onto the chest of his companion. They pulled over to stop, and the guy on the bars gracefully lowered himself onto the curb. His friend went into a nearby store. Meanwhile, I was fascinated watching this guy deal with his apparent paraplegia. He eventually noticed my gaze and, feeling awkward, I looked away. On leaving, he helped lift himself back onto the handlebars, and smiled at me as they rode away.

Whoa. What a beautiful thing I had just seen. It was all so natural. Nothing out of the ordinary. Simply a man who couldn't use his legs contributing to the big picture. A member of the human race with expressions to share and shoulders to lean on. It was wonderful to see this society regard his disability in such a pure and breezy manner. His life appeared void of anxiety and fear toward his physical limitations. Man, it was good.

Without a doubt, Egypt and other developing nations will benefit from funds, medical equipment, and modern rehab programs. Perhaps, though, many of these cultures have acquired a quality that developed countries seem to lack. The ability to see beyond the surface into a place where the heart dictates action. A place where people are nourished by the world and treated with dignity and respect. A place, I believe, we are all capable of creating. - Mitch Longley

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