Stigma is part of life, and everyone faces such experiences or moments. As individuals, we go through a lot due to what others have said about us. While some wouldn't even feel bad about it but keep moving and never minding them, others would take it so personally, and before you know it, they have taken their lives or perhaps lived in isolation for years, and it will take a deep and intentional intervention to bring them out of such a dilemma.
I don't think anyone hasnβt faced stigma in their lives, whether from family, friends, or even in society. I faced such with my family, and for years, I allowed that to affect who I am and became so shy around people because I would always think about what they said, believing what they said was true. The fact that it came from those I am closest to made it worse, and even if an outsider said the same thing, I knew it was true.
Before my mom died, she would stigmatise me with one defect in my body, and though she was right and also wanted a solution for me, at that time, I felt it was something out of my control and that I was born with it, so, why should there be a solution? Besides, there were times I blamed my parents, too, since they couldn't do the needful when I was a baby, and it was when I grew up they started noticing it vividly and finding ways to make it normal.
Whenever my mom used that word against me, I would feel bad, but within me, I knew she was trying to help me, but it was already too late. Why couldn't she see that? It became worse when the same thing was said by other family members, and this would keep me indoors. I would be too shy to walk around any of them unless they were out of sight, which would make me walk freely without them stigmatising me.
I felt so worthless. Fear and shame took over me, and it led me to not have access to certain opportunities because that very word would keep ringing in my head, making me feel anxious, and because of this, I would take a step backwards from taking such an opportunity. Perhaps if I had gotten people to encourage me, then my life would have been different and also in a better place, but this stigmatization caused a deep deal in me.
As I grew up and learnt to fight for myself, I started embracing who I am. I started ignoring those hurtful words said to me and felt unconcerned and unbothered anymore. When they saw that their words weren't disturbing to me, they brought me closer and loved me as they should. Now, I can be around even with my defect and walk past them without them saying anything bad, and with this, I feel much safer around them.
I understood that God created me that way for a purpose, and I believe I'm wonderfully made. So, whatever anyone says again doesn't move an inch on me. I see myself for who I am and who I need to be. It became something I started learning to accept my whole being and appreciate everything God has created in me.
One thing about stigma is how it makes an individual develop anxiety, leaving them to not associate with people or even form relationships. It leads to low self-esteem and a feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness. All of these affected me for years until I decided to change that. I stopped feeling worthless and loved myself more. With this, those who stigmatised me then came to love me better, and I live happily today.
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Stigmatisation is one thing everyone has faced one way or the other, as you've said. The problem is when we allow it get to us. I understand your pains; because it was coming form those who should protect you from such. But then, it's good to see you overcame it. Nobody has the right to stigamtise another especially by something in their bodies, since we don't even have the slightest possibility in creating a human being. Realising you were wonderfully made like that by your God is the solution I'll say. And it's nice you took it.
Yes, stigmatization shouldn't be something one use on us especially when it has to do with our bodies because we didn't create ourselves. Thank you very much for your comment.
My mother did that to me too. It's actually unimaginable that one who birthed one could actually stigma them for what they (the parents) actually contributed to.
Yes oo, coming from those who birthed you can be so hard to imagine but thank God everything is in the past and now, no one has to say anything to me and would feel bad about it.
Stigma isn't nice at all especially when it's root is from within the family. Our mothers back in the day thought they were doing us good by broadcasting one odd thing with us but they never knew that they were wrong.
Thank God for your rebirth in God. He would never ever stigmatize His own.
Happy weekend sisπ₯°
Yes, they thought they were being right but not so. But here I am today and I'm fine π
Thank you, sis.
Happy weekend to you, too π
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Since everyone is born with one stigma or the other... then, we don't need to stigimazed anyone.
Exactly. We aren't in the right to stigmatize anyone.