The New Normal?

With people back to work, stores open, and sports and community events taking place, it seems we are getting back to normal. But what does that really mean? And, why are so many people talking about the new normal?

The dictionary defines normal as “conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.” For those mathematicians reading this, the normal is a straight line which intersects and is perpendicular to the tangent. But this article is not about math. I want to dig into the idea of the new normal.

A new normal is the state where society settles into after a crisis. Given the craziness of the last couple years, I think it is safe to say we are certainly due for and most people welcome the idea of a new normal. However, at the risk of being too cliche`, the only constant is change and I have a hard time reconciling this with the words standard, usual, typical, and expected. It’s left me wondering, how do we get back to normal or know that we have arrived at a new normal?

All this talk of normal brings to mind one of my favorite duties as the CEO of LifeBridge Partnership. Advocating! Specifically, participating in activities where LifeBridge Partnership’s mission intersects with people unfamiliar with disabilities. Pre-pandemic, we visited schools for ability awareness events to help bring understanding to what it means to have a disability. We believe that understanding promotes empathy, acceptance, and inclusion.

I can recall one such event when the speaker engaged the students by asking them about soccer: Do you play soccer? Do you use your legs and feet to play soccer? Did you know there are other ways to play soccer? She went on to explain that people who use a wheelchair also enjoy playing sports. And, for someone who uses a wheelchair, they play soccer by rolling their wheelchair and pushing the ball. The speaker said it so well: “Each person has their own normal.” She pointed out to the kids that their normal was to play soccer by running around and kicking the ball with their feet. Another person’s normal may be adapting an activity by using special equipment.

Normal – it’s what EACH of us is. Our own unique, wonderfully made individual being with hopes, dreams, abilities, and sometimes a need for help to adapt the way we do something. I suppose one of the advantages to working in the disability services industry is that our sole focus is supporting adaptation so individuals can lead their fullest, most independent lives. My hope is that all people embrace normal, appreciate the differences between people and look forward to the challenge that change can bring.

Karen Schuster, CEO