<p>Briefly describe a situation in which you felt that you or others were treated unfairly or were not given an opportunity you felt you deserved. Why do you think this happened? How did you respond? Did the situation improve as a result of your response? </p>
<pre><code> Every Sunday at exactly one o’clock, a skinny girl dressed in her pajamas entered Food Lion. She always came to purchase a magazine, but she never brought enough money. Every week, as exact as clock work, Ronda would come to purchase her magazine. And every week the manager would shoo her away as soon as she came in. She did not want a mentally disabled girl roaming her store; she felt it would not be good for business. My fellow cashiers ridiculed her and made her the target of their malicious jokes. Despite this treatment, Ronda continually attempted to purchase her magazine, despite her continuous failure.
Like every other Sunday, Ronda came in to purchase her magazine. She quietly walked to the only open register:mine. Ronda reached into her pocket and handed me the money for her purchase. She was four dollars short, but did not understand this fact. But on that Sunday, it did not matter. Ronda got her magazine because I paid for her magazine.
Although it was a small gesture, it meant the world to Ronda. Since that Sunday, Ronda’s weekly trip to the grocery store has continued. But now, her weekly purchases involves a quick stop to give me a hug and say hello. Although Ronda has a mental development disorder, she just like me. Yet society chooses to treat her different.
Mental disorders are common in the United States. Mental disorders include depression, ADHD, Bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia and many similar conditions. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans age 18 and older have a mental disorder. This translates to one in every four adults. Although mental disorders are widespread, only a small proportion of the population suffers from severe mental disorders. Approximately one in seventeen Americans have a serious mental disorder. This small proportion is referred to as the mentally disabled.
The mentally disabled are capable of living normal lives. They contribute to society in the same manner as me and you. Unfortunately, society views them as a burden. Society disregard of the mentally disabled translates to poor living conditions for them. The America Association of Mental Disabilities estimates that in 2008 over two hundred mentally disabled patients died as a result of the poor care that they received. In a society that strives to create equality for all, it is ironic that those who can not care for themselves due to mental disabilities are subjected to humiliating and dangerous environments. My experience with Ronda has taught me the value of fairness. Fairness and equally are essential traits. Ronda has shown me how little acts of fairness and kindness make a large difference in the lives of those around you.
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