The wheelchair crunches leaves, grass, sandwich wrappers
Rolls over pinecones
Stuck midair on a tree root,
A precipice
It rights itself with a bang.
A squirrel nibbling a nut stares wide-eyed
Human television in the wild.
3.04.2012
2.27.2012
Adaptation: two views
There is a genius that reverberates in the disability community. It is called adaptation. Seen in the lives of many, subtly ignored or even condemned by the mainstream as being a wrong way to do things, it is, in fact, what gives disabled people their lives.
Without adapting, we would not be mobile or productive.
Feeding oneself at a rakish angle to defy gravity means not needing help to eat. The alternative is unspeakable - waiting for assistance that is on its own terms, in its own time, runs by its own clock, decides what we eat, how much and when.
Dressing ourselves with velcro or- gasp- in a wheelchair or on a bed may look unconventional. Who knows? Who cares?
No, the disabled don't look away. We study adaptation.
Climbing into cars or over steps doesn't seem to carry the Huck Finn all American swagger in the eyes of most, but in the disability culture it does. We ask "How did you do that?" and suggest they put a YouTube video up.
We admire adaptation and those who adapt in the disability culture. Sometimes we chuckle or sigh or cry in sheer joy that one of our fellows figured out how to do something that seemed impossible - a high quadriplegic who can draw, a blind person who reads faster than the sighted, a deaf musician - because we know what it means to the person.
Society - when it suits- calls it inspirational.
We call it having a life.
Without adapting, we would not be mobile or productive.
Feeding oneself at a rakish angle to defy gravity means not needing help to eat. The alternative is unspeakable - waiting for assistance that is on its own terms, in its own time, runs by its own clock, decides what we eat, how much and when.
Dressing ourselves with velcro or- gasp- in a wheelchair or on a bed may look unconventional. Who knows? Who cares?
No, the disabled don't look away. We study adaptation.
Climbing into cars or over steps doesn't seem to carry the Huck Finn all American swagger in the eyes of most, but in the disability culture it does. We ask "How did you do that?" and suggest they put a YouTube video up.
We admire adaptation and those who adapt in the disability culture. Sometimes we chuckle or sigh or cry in sheer joy that one of our fellows figured out how to do something that seemed impossible - a high quadriplegic who can draw, a blind person who reads faster than the sighted, a deaf musician - because we know what it means to the person.
Society - when it suits- calls it inspirational.
We call it having a life.
2.23.2012
Assistive Devices for iPad and iPhone for People with Disabilities
Great to see the Cult of Mac covering accessible devices for the iPad and iPhone for people with disabilities.
There is a strap stylus, a mouthstick stylus and an alternative grip stylus. Click the link above to find out more.
I also found an iPad Flex Stylus which looks quite useful for quads over on etsy by the same inventor. You can purchase any of his items over there.
There is a strap stylus, a mouthstick stylus and an alternative grip stylus. Click the link above to find out more.
I also found an iPad Flex Stylus which looks quite useful for quads over on etsy by the same inventor. You can purchase any of his items over there.
2.20.2012
Social Media and Disability Ministry: Come join #chsocm chat Tuesday at 9pm EST
On Tuesday, February 21 at 9:00 PM (ET) we'll chat on #chsocm (Church and Social Media) about using social media to change perceptions about disability and provide new ways to participate. Check out my Pinterest board about Disability and Faith Groups here. An excellent Religion & Ethics piece with video about Faith Communities and Disability here.
I put up a post last week inviting people with disabilities and all those involved in faith communities and disability ministries to join us over at #chsocm on Tuesdays.
This week we'll have an opportunity to discuss issues directly related to questions such as:
How could social media help transform ministry to the disabled and/or home bound? Are some social media tools better than others? How can our favorite tools be tweaked to make them more accessible? What online accessibility issues do church communicators need to know about?
So why not show up and suggest more topics for further discussions?
Join us!
I put up a post last week inviting people with disabilities and all those involved in faith communities and disability ministries to join us over at #chsocm on Tuesdays.
This week we'll have an opportunity to discuss issues directly related to questions such as:
How could social media help transform ministry to the disabled and/or home bound? Are some social media tools better than others? How can our favorite tools be tweaked to make them more accessible? What online accessibility issues do church communicators need to know about?
So why not show up and suggest more topics for further discussions?
Join us!
2.19.2012
Scripture reflection on disability
A reader and friend sent me this link to a Scripture reflection on disability and biblical interpretation.
It discusses passages about miraculous healings, including the 'paralytic' in Mark and how scholars who are disabled are inviting new questions and challenges to conventional interpretations that directly impact issues of inclusion and exclusion.
The pastoral implications of perceiving disabilities through these lenses are evident in the ways that conditions which impact the senses, health or mobility are used as metaphors for lack of faith or moral laxity. For example how often are the terms "blind" or "deaf" unreflectively employed in preaching and teaching to imply a failure to comprehend God's Word or to respond to injustices that defile the Reign of God? Disability Studies scholars remind biblical interpreters that "disability" is an intricate part of a complex matrix of individual and social identity. Whether intentionally or not, metaphors communicate exclusion and inclusion.
The reflection also discusses the issue of the role of miracles in erasing differences, raising questions as to whether our interpretations "of sacred texts betray an option for physical and mental "wholeness" as hidden criteria for the imago Dei?" despite teaching that all are created in the sacred image of God.
I love the ending where it notes that the paralytic and his friends were never seeking healing, but a means of access to join the crowd and hear Jesus preach.
This is something, I would hope, we all can reflect on.
It discusses passages about miraculous healings, including the 'paralytic' in Mark and how scholars who are disabled are inviting new questions and challenges to conventional interpretations that directly impact issues of inclusion and exclusion.
The pastoral implications of perceiving disabilities through these lenses are evident in the ways that conditions which impact the senses, health or mobility are used as metaphors for lack of faith or moral laxity. For example how often are the terms "blind" or "deaf" unreflectively employed in preaching and teaching to imply a failure to comprehend God's Word or to respond to injustices that defile the Reign of God? Disability Studies scholars remind biblical interpreters that "disability" is an intricate part of a complex matrix of individual and social identity. Whether intentionally or not, metaphors communicate exclusion and inclusion.
The reflection also discusses the issue of the role of miracles in erasing differences, raising questions as to whether our interpretations "of sacred texts betray an option for physical and mental "wholeness" as hidden criteria for the imago Dei?" despite teaching that all are created in the sacred image of God.
I love the ending where it notes that the paralytic and his friends were never seeking healing, but a means of access to join the crowd and hear Jesus preach.
This is something, I would hope, we all can reflect on.
Join me on Facebook
I created a page over on Facebook for Wheelie catholic. You can find it here.
I think it'll be a great way to interact that goes beyond the comments here, to exchange information and resources and have discussions. It's still under construction but up and running!
Remember you can also find me on Twitter @rampracer and if you check the sidebar over to your right, there's a twitter stream.
I think it'll be a great way to interact that goes beyond the comments here, to exchange information and resources and have discussions. It's still under construction but up and running!
Remember you can also find me on Twitter @rampracer and if you check the sidebar over to your right, there's a twitter stream.
2.17.2012
I'm going to live dangerously...
...And dictate this blog post directly into blogger.com.
Usually I dictate into a word file so that I don't accidentally publish the post prior to its completion.
I know this is a big risk, putting the entire reputation of this blog at stake.
Seriously, however, I've been spending time checking out alternatives for assistive devices for quadriplegics and others with hand and arm impairment. I found many products with a huge price range, depending on the technology ( low or high). A lot of time I have found that the price has nothing to do with what I get out of a product. It has a lot more to do with what I put into learning and training.
I put together a board on the site Pinterest called Assistive Tech Lust.
Feel free to take a look at it, comment on any of the products you see, repin/ like , or whatever. I'm thinking of putting together 0ther boards and if you have any ideas for what might be helpful let me know below in the comments or over on Pinterest.
And look at that- I managed to dictate the whole post without saying publish post.
Usually I dictate into a word file so that I don't accidentally publish the post prior to its completion.
I know this is a big risk, putting the entire reputation of this blog at stake.
Seriously, however, I've been spending time checking out alternatives for assistive devices for quadriplegics and others with hand and arm impairment. I found many products with a huge price range, depending on the technology ( low or high). A lot of time I have found that the price has nothing to do with what I get out of a product. It has a lot more to do with what I put into learning and training.
I put together a board on the site Pinterest called Assistive Tech Lust.
Feel free to take a look at it, comment on any of the products you see, repin/ like , or whatever. I'm thinking of putting together 0ther boards and if you have any ideas for what might be helpful let me know below in the comments or over on Pinterest.
And look at that- I managed to dictate the whole post without saying publish post.
2.15.2012
More on radical love- the gift of interdependency
One of the things about radical love is that it allows many gifts into our lives that weren't present before. These gifts were available to us but blocked because of our preconceptions and assumptions about others and even about ourselves.
One of these gifts is interdependence. I've written about this before. It involves a mutual sharing and exchange, wherein each person is enhanced by both giving and receiving. On the spiritual level, I feel this is how things are meant to be and I strive to have interdependent relationships whenever possible, although to some extent that is dependent on the other person.
I recall years ago when a friend sent her teenage son over to volunteer to help me with some physical tasks. He lacked confidence because he was dealing with a learning disability in school. The minute he arrived I set him to work on my wheelchair which was badly in need of tinkering. He was very handy and although he was only about 14 years old he immediately became "in charge" around here of a number of tasks that I physically couldn't do. Not only did he perform them well, but he would check up on whether items needed maintenance, something I cannot get paid employee adults to do at times. If he heard a squeak in my wheels, out came the screwdriver. He was also flexible. If he saw something needed to be done, he went and did it. I immediately gained respect not only for his work ethic, but for this young man's character and his kind, giving nature. I told his mother she had nothing to worry about and that he was a far better helper than most adults!
In return, I gave this young man some tutoring. He went on to graduate high school and find a job and eventually things he loved to do. The interdependence of our relationship helped both of us, not just because of what we helped each other to do by sharing skills, but what we learned from each other. He told me that if I wasn't going to make excuses because things were hard then he wouldn't either. I told him to concentrate on what he could do well rather than dwelling on what he could not. Although it's fine to encourage someone to work on skills, it's really important to emphasize what they are good at.
I don't believe either of us would've benefited as much if it had been just a dependent relationship. I think he would've grown to see me as helpless perhaps even reinforcing the idea that his learning disability should be seen as a black-and-white situation. He could learn in school, although in different ways sometimes. This was no different than the way I do things with assistive devices. I showed him my voice recognition software and explained that I wouldn't get much done without it. This made him more willing to try new ways of approaching learning in school.
But what about radical love? My point is that we all have something to give. Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that people with disabilities can only take, not give. They don't think people with disabilities can volunteer in their faith organizations. They may be thinking that including them just creates more work and forget that people with disabilities each have their own gifts, hidden talents that sometimes remain that way because no one gives them the opportunity to show them. Radical love is about this kind of interdependence which means there is a give-and-take. There is and must be mutual love and respect.
There is always the giving of love itself, which is priceless. All of us do that at many different levels. It is opening ourselves and our souls up to realizing that which makes us eager to embrace a new form of community in which our spiritual and physical needs are met as all of us participate to our fullest.
One of these gifts is interdependence. I've written about this before. It involves a mutual sharing and exchange, wherein each person is enhanced by both giving and receiving. On the spiritual level, I feel this is how things are meant to be and I strive to have interdependent relationships whenever possible, although to some extent that is dependent on the other person.
I recall years ago when a friend sent her teenage son over to volunteer to help me with some physical tasks. He lacked confidence because he was dealing with a learning disability in school. The minute he arrived I set him to work on my wheelchair which was badly in need of tinkering. He was very handy and although he was only about 14 years old he immediately became "in charge" around here of a number of tasks that I physically couldn't do. Not only did he perform them well, but he would check up on whether items needed maintenance, something I cannot get paid employee adults to do at times. If he heard a squeak in my wheels, out came the screwdriver. He was also flexible. If he saw something needed to be done, he went and did it. I immediately gained respect not only for his work ethic, but for this young man's character and his kind, giving nature. I told his mother she had nothing to worry about and that he was a far better helper than most adults!
In return, I gave this young man some tutoring. He went on to graduate high school and find a job and eventually things he loved to do. The interdependence of our relationship helped both of us, not just because of what we helped each other to do by sharing skills, but what we learned from each other. He told me that if I wasn't going to make excuses because things were hard then he wouldn't either. I told him to concentrate on what he could do well rather than dwelling on what he could not. Although it's fine to encourage someone to work on skills, it's really important to emphasize what they are good at.
I don't believe either of us would've benefited as much if it had been just a dependent relationship. I think he would've grown to see me as helpless perhaps even reinforcing the idea that his learning disability should be seen as a black-and-white situation. He could learn in school, although in different ways sometimes. This was no different than the way I do things with assistive devices. I showed him my voice recognition software and explained that I wouldn't get much done without it. This made him more willing to try new ways of approaching learning in school.
But what about radical love? My point is that we all have something to give. Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that people with disabilities can only take, not give. They don't think people with disabilities can volunteer in their faith organizations. They may be thinking that including them just creates more work and forget that people with disabilities each have their own gifts, hidden talents that sometimes remain that way because no one gives them the opportunity to show them. Radical love is about this kind of interdependence which means there is a give-and-take. There is and must be mutual love and respect.
There is always the giving of love itself, which is priceless. All of us do that at many different levels. It is opening ourselves and our souls up to realizing that which makes us eager to embrace a new form of community in which our spiritual and physical needs are met as all of us participate to our fullest.
2.14.2012
Radical love
I was reading an e-mail this week from someone who's worked in the field of social work with disabled folks for many years. She was talking about including people with disabilities at church and how that sometimes meant taking a radical approach, such as challenging the assumption that is difficult to include those with disabilities for certain reasons.
I've heard these reasons over the years. Things such as having disabled people around can make some folks uncomfortable or not knowing where to physically "put people" or not knowing how to act "around them". The radical approach is to name it and deal with it.
Love is radical.
Today on Valentine's Day we are surrounded by pink hearts, flowers, candy, cards and all the trappings of a holiday. I have my own pile here of cards from loved ones. Nothing wrong with that.
I believe however that we're called to love each other in a more radical way. It means loving those who may not love us back, who may challenge our comfortable ways, who may stretch our perceptions, our resources and our hearts. Practicing this kind of love always makes us grow in unexpected ways spiritually. This kind of love spreads. It's contagious. It doesn't stop to think about excluding anyone and it also doesn't begrudge anyone having a wonderful, romantic relationship. There is always more than enough love to go around in this type of community, because everyone is included, cared for and cared about.
So I know what this social worker was talking about. I agree with her 100 percent. Creating inclusive faith communities requires radical love. I've seen it happen. May it continue to grow.
I've heard these reasons over the years. Things such as having disabled people around can make some folks uncomfortable or not knowing where to physically "put people" or not knowing how to act "around them". The radical approach is to name it and deal with it.
Love is radical.
Today on Valentine's Day we are surrounded by pink hearts, flowers, candy, cards and all the trappings of a holiday. I have my own pile here of cards from loved ones. Nothing wrong with that.
I believe however that we're called to love each other in a more radical way. It means loving those who may not love us back, who may challenge our comfortable ways, who may stretch our perceptions, our resources and our hearts. Practicing this kind of love always makes us grow in unexpected ways spiritually. This kind of love spreads. It's contagious. It doesn't stop to think about excluding anyone and it also doesn't begrudge anyone having a wonderful, romantic relationship. There is always more than enough love to go around in this type of community, because everyone is included, cared for and cared about.
So I know what this social worker was talking about. I agree with her 100 percent. Creating inclusive faith communities requires radical love. I've seen it happen. May it continue to grow.
2.12.2012
Jill Kinmont Boothe passes away
I read last night about the death of Jill Kinmont Boothe, who acquired quadriplegia as a result of a skiing accident.
She was featured in several movies, including The Other Side of the Mountain. I remember the potato chip scene, as I refer to it with friends, where Jill is in the rehab center after a skiing accident and her boyfriend, who is also a skier, comes to visit her. He expects her to be able to walk, so when she shows him the progress she made ( which is being able to grasp potato chips out of a bowl), he leaves her. I've had a few potato chips scenes in my life too.
I've always admired her for her persistence, years ago prior to the American with Disabilities Act, in seeking an education and employment. It wasn't easy. She typed papers out on typewriters with a typing stick, letter by letter. She lost her fiancé and a childhood boyfriend shortly after her accident. Despite this, she was determined to be productive and to become a teacher.
Colleges turned her down. When she did get a degree, school districts refused to hire her as a teacher.
I remember her words toward a school district physician who spoke about the tragedy of her disability. Her response was that "the only tragedy is if you won't hire me because of this injury".
She was right. People mix up cause and effect with disabilities all the time. They tell us that we can't do things and then offer sympathy for a "wasted life". I say they can keep their sympathy. It rings false and most people with disabilities would rather have a chance to prove themselves. I can't speak for everyone with a disability, but that's how I feel.
Jill passed away in her 70s after a long and productive life.
I thank Jill for breaking barriers before me.
She was featured in several movies, including The Other Side of the Mountain. I remember the potato chip scene, as I refer to it with friends, where Jill is in the rehab center after a skiing accident and her boyfriend, who is also a skier, comes to visit her. He expects her to be able to walk, so when she shows him the progress she made ( which is being able to grasp potato chips out of a bowl), he leaves her. I've had a few potato chips scenes in my life too.
I've always admired her for her persistence, years ago prior to the American with Disabilities Act, in seeking an education and employment. It wasn't easy. She typed papers out on typewriters with a typing stick, letter by letter. She lost her fiancé and a childhood boyfriend shortly after her accident. Despite this, she was determined to be productive and to become a teacher.
Colleges turned her down. When she did get a degree, school districts refused to hire her as a teacher.
I remember her words toward a school district physician who spoke about the tragedy of her disability. Her response was that "the only tragedy is if you won't hire me because of this injury".
She was right. People mix up cause and effect with disabilities all the time. They tell us that we can't do things and then offer sympathy for a "wasted life". I say they can keep their sympathy. It rings false and most people with disabilities would rather have a chance to prove themselves. I can't speak for everyone with a disability, but that's how I feel.
Jill passed away in her 70s after a long and productive life.
I thank Jill for breaking barriers before me.
2.11.2012
PaperPort notes app
I downloaded the PaperPort notes app by Nuance yesterday and am using it on my iPad. It offers a variety of ways to enter notes quickly, including voice recognition, using a keyboard or handwriting. You can also annotate. I'm using the voice-recognition mostly and am very pleased with its efficient way of taking short notes during the day.
It's easy to create new pages to separate notes by different topics. For example I made a to do list, a page of reading notes, and some notes while I was on a phone conversation. The dictation was accurate, quick and it was easy to correct the few mistakes I ran into.
The app was free and I recommend it to anyone looking for a 24/7 assistant.
It's easy to create new pages to separate notes by different topics. For example I made a to do list, a page of reading notes, and some notes while I was on a phone conversation. The dictation was accurate, quick and it was easy to correct the few mistakes I ran into.
The app was free and I recommend it to anyone looking for a 24/7 assistant.
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