Justice Minister’s Award
My Way of Life
Sou Kobayashi, Seventh Grade (first year of three grades),
Urayasu City Takasu Junior High School, Chiba Prefecture
I have a disability. Why, you ask? I have no idea. I was born this way. I can walk now,
but with difficulty. It is extremely hard for me to keep my body in balance, and I am
unable to write, which is a critical handicap.
The oldest memory I have is of being in the pre-school. At the time, children aged
three and older were all put in the same room. One of the kids who was a year older
than I was once asked me, giggling, "Why do you fall down so easily, Sou? You’re
like a dead tulip." I replied, "How should I know?" Back then, I really didn’t know
why I was the way I was.
When I was in elementary school, though, I realized that this was my fate.
I remember a sports day. We performed a dance piece, and just as during practice
when I kept dropping behind everyone else, I made a mistake on the actual day of the
performance and took a wrong position, falling far behind others. I was mortified. I
didn’t shed any tears, but I cried out silently, "This is all my body’s fault. I don’t want
such a useless body."
Some people say, "It must be tough to have a body like yours." Of course it is tough.
For example, there is the bullying. I suppose it happens to people without disabilities,
too, but the bullying that I put up with is an entirely different thing. Taunting the
disabled is not bullying, it is downright discrimination.
Here is an anecdote of my experience. This year I went to a camp organized by the
city. Being the oldest participant, I was named the captain of our group. The next day,
the members of my group were making a lot of noise, so I told them to keep it down,
all to no avail. The teachers needed to be on the scene, but unfortunately they were in a
meeting. Not knowing what else to do, I said, "Hey, guys, be quiet!" in a loud, stern
tone. The response I got was, "Shut up. Don’t think you can boss us around, a disabled
kid like you." Remarks like these really sting, and I get them all the time.
So far my stories have been all negative, but that does not mean my life is nothing but
darkness. I have had some wonderful experiences, too. When I was in sixth grade, for
example, I tried surfing for the first time. I had an opportunity to have a volunteer
surfer teach me how to surf.
First, I was taken to this pool of water on the beach, by the sea, and practiced standing
up on the surf board using a paddle called a SAP1
. After I grasped the basics, I went
out into the sea. I wasn’t scared because there were many people around to support me.
I started with bodyboarding, which involved riding the waves while lying down on the
board, then once I got the hang of it, my next challenge was to stand up on the board. I
fell, naturally. I’m not nimble enough to be able to hold the board flat on the wavy
surface of the water and stand up on it. I fell into the sea many times, nearly drowned
and had to crawl up each time onto the board. I wanted to quit, but my coach wouldn’t
allow it. He said, "Don’t use your disability as an excuse. You can do it, if you try. I
know you can. I’ll help you if you really need me to."
As time passed, my legs became increasingly heavy. I was reaching the limits of my
strength. I gave up and asked the coach to let me stop after five more tries. On the
second try of the five, the coach yelled, "Here comes a good wave. Go, Sou!" I
summoned up what strength I had left and braced myself to stand up, just as I was
taught earlier. I concentrated all my energy in my knees and legs, and rose to my feet.
I was standing on the board! For the first time in my life, I had moved in a slow
motion. It was amazing! I did it! Me, actually riding a wave!
Before I knew it, I was off the board and in the water. By the time I got out of the sea,
I was exhausted but felt fantastic. Everything felt incredible as I rode the wave: the
breeze, the sound of the sea, and above all, I gained confidence in myself. I could surf.
I couldn’t do a thing at first, but I tried and succeeded. Disabilities or no disabilities, it
doesn’t matter. The only question is whether I am willing to take the challenge. The
surfing experience has taught me to believe in myself, that anything is possible and I
have nothing to be afraid of. And I have the coach and the people who supported me to
thank for the way I now feel.1It may mean "SUP" (stand up paddle).
I have a disability. I’ve had my share of unpleasant experiences and I face difficulties
every day. I’ve also had people treat me with kindness just as many times, and so I get
by each day, happy and well. I do hope that our society becomes one in which
everyone is respectful and generous to each other and does not hurt people. In such a
society, each person would be able to live their lives to the fullest.
From now on, I will always hold appreciation for those around me. I’m going to learn
to cope with this disabled body of mine, and although I may need some support, I will
live by the conviction that I can do anything if I try. Disabled or not, I’m going to live
my life my own way. It may not always look pretty, but that is the way of life I choose.