Covid-19 you dint decide to spare my community.
You decided to triple the tribulation.
According to increasing research persons with disabilities are experiencing loneliness and isolation at higher rate.
This is to say less inclusion is taking place under the pandemic. On the other hand, when we focus on an individual’s gifts and values that we can share with the community, we have taken the first step in facilitating and fostering a friendship based on a mutual interest that two people may share.
Moreover, we living in a world where isolation and loneliness are becoming an increasing challenge for all communities the world over, especially for people with disability. I affirm Taking steps to create opportunities for friendships and genuine connection is important now, more than ever.
Loneliness
Even before the onset of the global pandemic, isolation and loneliness were experienced by persons with disabilities at a considerably higher rate than persons who are yet to be disabled. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we work to create opportunities for social connectedness and belonging.
Sadly, for people with disabilities, loneliness was already an issue [HI 2020 IDA 2020].

Several studies have shown It has been said that an antidote for loneliness is friendship, but having friends is also disproportionately not achieved as easily for people with disabilities. Compared to the general population, people with disabilities have fewer friends, less social support and are more socially isolated. Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends inhibit loneliness and give you a reciprocal opportunity to also offer needed companionship. Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness and reduce your stress. Friends play a significant role in promoting your overall health.
Good friends are good for your health.
I opine in order to break barriers of inclusion we need to establish friendship between persons with disabilities and those who are yet to be disabled.
Join me as we discuss on the disability sausage YouTube channel on this topic and much more. .
The views expressed here are for the author and do not represent any agency or organization.
Mugambi Paul is a public policy, diversity, inclusion and sustainability expert.
Australian Chief Minister Award winner
“excellence of making inclusion happen”