Often, we think that to speak is to communicate. Perhaps that is where the biggest mistake happens. If that were true, the people who lie to your face would never get caught. You communicate so much through your body – facial expressions, moving body parts or maybe just not speaking or choosing to stay quiet more than usual. Familiar doesn’t always mean right except where you are choosing between the devil and the deep sea.
If when you express you can only talk about what you are told to tell, in truth you have no freedom. Would a person who is forced to use a specific communication method ever experience the freedom to choose from a variety of methods, the one they would like to use or the freedom to be listened to, regardless of the method they choose to use?
The ability to communicate about anything from needs to interests to opinions is what gives you more control over your life. Only then are people forced to hear what you have to say. It is this that demands respect for you. This then gives you freedom. It is communication that opens the doors to freedom in living life the way you want to.
In similar fashion that single ink mark on your nail indicates the power of your one vote. Your vote is your loudest communication form. People look to take power from others only; however, they forget the power given to each one of us. The power given to every citizen of every country including India in that vote their citizenship guarantees them. You will now wonder, what power does my one vote carry? It only feels like power, but do I really have that power? I tell you your vote is your voice so use it for supporting the right causes, perhaps those that keep our human side growing. Possibly your voice and your courage to stand by what you believe will inform others to think like you and join you. One vote and one voice can become the roar of a crowd and that can lead to real change.
Having experienced both the power of being able to communicate using alternate methods as well as the power of being able to choose the candidate I believe in to cast my vote for, I can only say it is a feeling that is like no other. Independent decision making is way more empowering than having the ability to do things independently. Communicating for oneself gives you power to go forward in your life with just that much more control on what you want to do in life. Every time you vote too, you exercise the power of choice. Thus, both, communication in any form or using any method, and voting have the same purpose. They both give you the power of autonomy; your rights and your responsibilities are defined for you, and they make sure your dignity is safeguarded.
Understand that this also comes with that engagement with you; often unsaid but still binding, a set of responsibilities. To every right is attached a list of responsibilities. Older the right, your responsibilities increase in number. That one right – the right to communicate also places the expectation obtusely on the person to use words wisely and communicate responsibly. Your right to communicate in whatever mode you wish to use should not increase another’ s pain. Look to use your right to vote in the best manner possible. Instead of sticking to trends, do your research well. You follow your head and think about – who would be a good candidate? Who will work to give the best to the people? Then only cast your vote. If you choose to ignore fulfilling your responsibilities, understand that you don’t deserve your rights.
Gaining access to an alternate means of communication which for me is typing set me free from the prison of silence. It also freed me from indignity, isolation and misconceptions about my capacity to understand. People finally got to see that I understand and intend to use my acquired ability of independent communication through typing quite seriously to seek changes in society for myself and for others like me.
On the actual experience of casting a vote for the very first time in the recent state elections, I really felt like finally, I could claim to be a citizen of India. A simple act it may seem to most people but, for me it was momentous in that I got to exercise my right as a citizen and with whatever accommodations I needed. The only right of that person that offers me the same freedom a citizen has possibly.
The experiences of freedom may feel very different in both situations but then freedom from silence gave me access to a voice and the same voice I used when I cast my vote. The finger I use to type to communicate is the same finger I used to press the button on the EVM to choose the candidate I wanted to back. Thus, freedom for me is in the power of this one finger. Freedom is freedom, nothing can compare with the autonomy, power and respect it gives you.
Avaz Megaphone is a platform for neurodivergent individuals to express themselves through the written word. We accept opinion pieces, short stories and poetry. Authors of accepted works will receive an honorarium. To make a submission please email us on: collaborate@avazapp.com
WRITTEN BY
Tarun Paul Mathew
Student & Writer
Tarun Paul Mathew is a 20-year-old non-speaking autistic adult from Kochi, India who types to communicate. He is a passionate advocate for the non-speaking autistic community, co-hosts the podcast For What It Tells, and enjoys music, mathematics, and nature. Tarun blogs at tryingtobemetoo.blogspot
He can be reached on Instagram at: happy_maverick_tarun
Listen to his podcast, For What It Tells, on Spotify.
