If they understood what I am going through then maybe they might take action and help others like me.
— Alex Rossi, 11
Meet junior Alex Rossi. He loves playing video games like Minecraft and Halo, is on the academic honor roll and can not help but grin at his dad’s cringe worthy jokes. He’s like any other 17-year-old – and he does it all with the assistance from his wheelchair.
“I have Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), so it causes my muscles to weaken over time. Even though my wheelchair is like my own personal robot, my disease is something I have to work through my entire life. It’s an everyday struggle,” Rossi said.
Rossi has observed that the student body often lacks an understanding for individuals who are in similar circumstances to his own.
“Sometimes, people jump in front of me when I’m trying to use the automatic door. These people don’t need to use the automatic door, it makes me wonder why they can’t use their own door if they are capable,” Rossi said.
Despite his limitations. Rossi recognizes the potential of Common Ground classes and its ability to promote empathy schoolwide.
“If I could teach Common Ground, I would want to tell people what it’s like to be in a wheelchair. I have to work twice as hard as they do. If they understood what I am going through then maybe they might take action and help others like me,” Rossi said.
According to Rossi, misconceptions about his wheelchair are prominent amongst his peers.
“People are often fearful of individuals in wheelchairs. Their behavior changes and a lot of times they just ignore me. They don’t say hello. They avoid eye contact. They can’t look past the wheelchair to see just me,” Rossi said.
Rossi believes people’s lack of knowledge about his condition has lead to social isolation.
“Most people don’t take the time to understand your disease or what you are going through, so I think the fear of wheelchairs is caused by not understanding. Because of this people reach out to me only some of the time,” Rossi said.
Rossi’s disease has controlled many portions of his life, yet throughout the years Alex feels that he has grown as a person. “I feel that I am stronger and living my life is easier than it once was.”
Rossi is inspired by his personal convictions, and he wrote a letter to the students and faculty in an effort to provide his perspective.
Dr. Jekyll • Sep 29, 2015 at 9:35 pm
That was powerful… Alex is always smiling in the hallways, and friends always say “He’s so cute!” Keep fighting, you’re an eloquent and very strong individual