I have to continue to marvel how I don't see the world the way everyone else does. That must be my contribution to the planet somehow. Resident contrarian. Someone perhaps you want on your team just to give you the perspective of the "rest of the story." I have been reading several posts of who is on all the Social Networks by age and demographics, and if we should be on them, and what value they are to our business. But I see a whole class of buyers that for them Social Networks are very much not a great concern, or even a thought going on in their lives. They have much GREATER things to worry about.

Did you know that

                You Are The Least Of My Brother's Keeper?

This is the handicapped class of buyers of course, and clientele you work with. The more proper term is challenged or those with disabilities. The proper selection of wording with someone with a disability is critical to not generating negative emotion and to show respect. They are not worrying about Facebook and Twittering, they are working very hard to make it through the day and be a happy and fully functioning human being that contributes to the world.

With many with disabilities, those of us in real estate need to apply huge doses of understanding and patience.

Are you aware of the MANY types of disabilities?

• Performing Manual Tasks
• Breathing
• Learning
• Working
• Walking
• Bathing
• Seeing
• Shopping
• Speaking
• Hearing

In the Intellectual area we have Downs syndrome and other learning disability situations.

In the senior age class of over 65 which from the 2006 census was estimated at 37.9 million people, did you know that 50% have a disability limitation of some sort?

And by age 75, 7 of 10 have a disability.

For many in the senior category there is a sense of living in a dial world with iPhones all around them. There is no wonder sometimes the world seems like it is moving too fast.

We as excellent communicators need to speak clearly, ask for clarification when necessary, and above all put ourselves in another's shoes.

The reality of what is going on is we all are "temporarily able-bodied" until it is our turn to come down with the disabilities in our life as part of the natural process of aging.

So when those among us are too hard on certain classes of people for not getting on board with Social Networking it seems to be a very squinty eyed narrow minded point of view. We in society are not all the same.

People also can go through a grief process with losing various faculties and may be in an anger or unhappiness state when you come upon them. Once again, the call for patience with them. Don't take it personal.

Be good with people you encounter who are different than you and who are struggling. Give them your smile. Learn techniques like sign language for the hearing impaired.

Push someone's wheel chair. Compliment their seeing eye dog. Rush over and get their cane for them when they are standing up from the dining table. It is not all about Twittering and Facebook. It is about connecting with people where they are in their life journey today.

The least of our brothers need us NOW more than ever. Be there for them. Remember, if you live long enough, you will be there someday too. And what goes around comes around.