Mentally Disabled Individuals Are Also Sources of Life and Joy

Following the release of a 2.5-minute film about the joy of mentally disabled individuals in life (titled 'Dear Mother of the Future'), a court in France has banned its broadcast on television, justifying that it is 'inappropriate' as it may upset those who have aborted their fetuses upon learning of their physical and mental conditions (such as Down syndrome). The French government also disapproves of the film's broadcast in the context of 'political correctness.' This issue has five social dimensions that require attention. Mentally disabled individuals also enjoy life. What this film shows is that mentally disabled individuals are capable of performing many tasks that others do well: expressing love to their parents; attending school; working and earning money to spend; talking to others; hugging others; writing; traveling; helping their parents and siblings in daily tasks; and even living independently. Of course, these tasks are challenging for them, but which tasks are not challenging for anyone? Life is full of challenges for every human being. The enjoyment of mentally disabled individuals in life is undeniable, and they cannot be hidden from society by not showing them. If there are those who do not want to see them, they can turn off their television or not search for it on YouTube, or if the relevant film appears on a webpage, they can choose not to click on it. The children and teenagers featured in this film convey these points to others in various languages around the world. Millions have already watched this film only on YouTube. Their parents can also enjoy having them. The fathers and mothers of such children, while aware of their condition and accepting their reality, do not differentiate between them and their other children and enjoy their companionship. Having such children is full of challenges, but which child does not bring challenges? The fact that some parents do not want to have such children and would abort them before birth upon learning of their condition (which is their right) does not negate the fact that parents who wish to have them enjoy their presence. Each side has its own arguments and follows its desired path. Those who abort the fetuses of such individuals do not have the right to take away the right of others to enjoy their children or the right of these individuals to enjoy life and express this. Similarly, opponents of abortion do not have the right to force anyone to have such children. Political correctness and freedom of speech. Advocates of political correctness have gone so far in recent decades that they deny individuals' right to freedom of speech by resorting to such grievances and creating a safe space for certain views and individuals. They argue that because some individuals may be upset by the expression of a certain point, others must remain silent. This issue goes far beyond insult, rudeness, and mockery, which should be avoided in any circumstance. Not everyone is supposed to hear only what pleases them in every situation. In that case, there would be no room left for freedom of speech. Moreover, those who hold the most power are often the most eager to avoid hearing unpleasant truths. Political correctness advocates do not realize that with this reasoning, they sharpen the knife of dictatorship and repression. There is a fundamental confusion in the issue of political correctness, equating rudeness with unpleasantness. Rudeness, insult, and mockery are a very small part of what offends others. Many are offended even by the expression of reality or by others' clothing or perfume. One cannot force people to wear specific clothing, use specific perfumes, or listen to specific music just to please others. Political correctness, if accompanied by absolute power, leads to totalitarianism. Some may not want to see mentally disabled individuals in society and may feel disturbed by their presence. However, one cannot eliminate or hide these individuals for their sake. They must get used to the existence of these individuals in society. Chromosomal problems can lead to various mental disabilities, and today individuals can learn about these issues through testing before the birth of their children. These problems are not limited to mental disabilities and can also manifest in individuals' appearances: such as a flat back, changes in eye shape (like drooping), weaker muscles, and smaller stature. Improvements in public health have helped these individuals survive for longer periods, just like others. Nowadays, to avoid titles that some families find offensive (such as mentally retarded or disabled), more realistic titles like 'exceptional children' or 'individuals with special needs' are used. For this reason, these individuals are no longer separated from others of different ages, and schools provide them with special teachers or assistants. Today, individuals with mental disabilities are present in all aspects of life, especially in developed societies. They can be seen in regular businesses, television programs, commercials, and even political campaigns. In this regard, the efforts of some governments and courts to declare their social presence inappropriate are futile. Perhaps once, many people viewed these individuals as aliens from other planets (a situation witnessed by the author’s child in Iran), but today in developed societies, perceptions have mostly changed, and these individuals feel less burdened by the gaze of others. Those who have a problem with the social presence of these individuals need to open their eyes. Opponents of the life and social presence of these individuals must realize that, first, the value of one individual's life is not greater than that of another; gender, race, ethnicity, language, religion or non-religion, and physical and mental conditions do not change this statement; second, these individuals cannot be separated from others like criminals; third, the desire of parents to have 'normal' children (the meaning of which is unclear) does not negate the right to life and social presence of 'abnormal' individuals (which is also unclear); and fourth, governments not only do not have the right to deny this right to life and presence but must provide equal opportunities for everyone to live a prosperous and dignified life.