Japan can be a rough place for people with disabilities. Spend some time trekking through off-the-beaten-path train stations, and you’ll likely notice an abundance of stairs—and a lack of accessible routes such as escalators or elevators. Furthermore, metropolitan centers often require a large degree of walking through crowded sidewalks and storefronts. Complexes with five or fewer floors are also not required to have an escalator, meaning five-story hikes may be necessary.

That's not to mention the stigma attached to disabilities. Although the recent elections of several disabled candidates are hinting at a better future, disabled residents were typically ignored and forced to hide or play-down their ailments. Crimes against the disabled are not unheard of, and the country has a dark history of eugenic policies and forced sterilizations.

However, the country is getting better as issues surrounding residents with disabilities are brought into the forefront. For example, Josh Grisdale, a Tokyo resident with cerebral palsy, runs accessible-japan.com, a website and online community highlighting resources for visitors with special needs. The site compensates for a common lack of accessibility information online while highlighting the increasing amount of resources available for those in need.

Viewing a Disability in a New Way

Recently, manga artist Tomoko Nishiyama (nishiyama_tomoko07) penned a manga about a young girl with a disability that confines her to a wheelchair. The heart-warming story is based on the real-life experience of one of her followers.

Her mother's boyfriend plays an important role in her life. He has helped inspire her confidence and shown her that she needs not to worry about being a burden, especially to her family.

Nishiyama’s readers were touched. They reacted:

If you liked this story, you can find more touching and uplifting manga on Nishiyama’s Instagram page. The author also runs a blog.