‘See each other as people first’

I am writing in reference to a May 7 article in which the following line appeared;

“The student-run production, which will take place on May 26, aims to raise money for Shalva, an organization in Israel that aids developmentally disabled children.”

As someone who volunteers for J-ADD, in two of their group homes for adults with developmental disabilities, I would like to mention that it is important to remember the “people first” rule. We are people first, before whatever it is that may make us special, and therefore the correct way to describe Shalva would be as an organization that aids children with developmental disabilities, not developmentally disabled children. This may seem like a small thing, but if we all begin to see each other as people first, rather than defining one another with labels first, the world could be a better place.

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