'I felt like an abomination': Man who was shunned and lost job due to disability now fights back
Warren Sheldon Humphries wants to show others that people with disabilities (PwDs) are just like them.
Sheldon, a 56-year-old father, was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease in April 2020, leading to smaller, weaker muscles and loss of sensations.
This, alongside a leg amputation he underwent in 2024 due to diabetes, has led him to use a wheelchair.
Sheldon now works part-time as a tour guide for Ludus Lab, and he invited Stomp to join his tour of Enabling Village on May 8.
Enabling Village is a community space dedicated to integrating PwDs into society, and it is open to all members of the public.
Its botanical landscapes are host to various amenities, such as an art studio featuring cats, a disability-friendly gym, a clinic, along with numerous eateries and shops.
Before beginning the tour, Sheldon taught us that "deaf" and "blind" were adjectives used exclusively within their respective communities, and those outside should use the terms "hearing or visually impaired."
He also instructed guests not to walk in front of him, and to walk by his right side or behind to avoid wheelchair collisions.
Embarking on the tour, the adjustments made for accessibility throughout were clear: larger pathways, automated doors, and quiet, low-stimulation environments.
One of the highlights of the tour was the technology showroom Tech Able, which provided hands-on showcases of assistive technology devices such as eye-tracking speech devices, braille keyboards, and more.
After the tour, which was about an hour and a half, we settled down at the newly-opened AMGD Superfood Restaurant located within the village to chat.
Discussing stereotypes about PwDs, Sheldon explained, "Many people assume that we were born with disabilities, but what they should understand is that many have lived as able-bodied but for various reasons developed it."
Wheelchair users, in particular, are commonly assumed to be completely immobile, though most do not use wheelchairs all the time and can walk.
"Most generalise us because of the word 'disabled' or 'handicapped', regardless if there is a spectrum, and assume that we are incapable in all aspects.
"Don't assume that we need help, we will always ask if we need it," Sheldon asserted.
He opened up about the stigmatisation of PwDs, as though they were monsters not to be interacted with.
"When children touch my wheelchair or ask questions out of curiosity, the parents pull them away."
"One time, while I was having lunch with my caregiver, a child was looking at me," Sheldon recalled.
"The parent told the child, 'if you don't pay attention to what you are doing, you will end up like him.' That hurt."
Unfortunately, rude comments or mistreatment are common for PwDs, especially those seeking employment.
Sheldon shared he had been terminated from his customer service job at a school, being told he scared the children and made people feel uncomfortable, solely due to his appearance.
"I felt like an abomination, I dared not to find a job after, my confidence was literally ripped away," he confessed.
Singapore's Workplace Fairness Legislation includes anti-discrimination provisions that protect employees with disabilities from discrimination.
Despite this, many PwDs face difficulties in seeking and maintaining jobs, as both employers and PwDs often fail to set expectations and find alternative methods in the workplace.
"PwDs need to temper expectations, as the job is offered not for charity, but for their abilities. They still need to do their part and not fall back.
"Some expect to have everything given to them and forget the fact they actually have abilities."
However, for many PwDs, it is hard to see value in themselves when they are marginalised and often ignored.
Sheldon admitted that he initially struggled with recovering his self-esteem and dignity when he received his diagnosis, as he was in denial of his condition.
"No one has dared to ask if I have ever thought about giving up, but it's ok to not be ok," he revealed.
"On those days, I think of my daughter and my niece, who is my caregiver, who love me unconditionally without any prejudice."
Now, Sheldon has come to fully embrace his status as a PwD, and found meaning in his life as one.
Once, after conducting a tour, Sheldon was approached by a young man.
He told Sheldon, "When you told me the story about how you wanted to take your life, it gave me hope. Now I want to turn mine around to inspire rather than be inspired."
This instance was one of the many moments Sheldon felt fulfilled.
"As long as I made somebody's life different, I achieved my end goal," he professed.
Sheldon holds one quote by Pablo Picasso near to his heart: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
On a larger scale, Sheldon thinks PwDs need to be engaged with larger communities, to show them their value.
"Despite us volunteering a lot and wanting to be involved in resident networks, no one is willing to engage with us."
Others may also offer pity to PwDs in their communities, which, though good-natured, often stems from the fact they do not know how to interact with PwDs.
"Talk to us like a friend. It's ok to ask what happened," Sheldon reassured.
"We are just like you."
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