And the upshot is I'm going to be adding more variety to Wheelie Catholic.
Wheelie Catholic has been a place where I can have my own voice about my experiences as a person with a disability and a disability advocate. I received endless support from many in the disability community and our allies and I'm very grateful for that support. If you come here to read just about disability issues and find this disconcerting, please know that I'll still do that.
But I really don't want it turned into a "health blog". I don't want to be defined as a patient (or "subject") or become an unwitting marketing tool. To encourage others to see me as a patient does nothing to advance my rights toward a better paying job, access to voting, better mobility, etc. Those are the issues that affect my daily life.
So, sadly, some of the ways in which I've blogged in the past aren't going to work - at least for this blogger - in this brave new world. It still leaves many disability-related topics available to blog about.
Perhaps it's for the best. I'm just going to have more fun with the blog. Try new things out. Explore new areas. See where it takes me. Perhaps I'll blog less. That's okay too. Because blogging is a very personal thing, albeit a public one.
As this guy said "I'm not chasing cool here". My demographics are not as clear cut as his are, but my goal never was - and still isn't- to have the highest numbers or be the most popular blog. I would have done things very differently if that was my goal. I do see some advantage, however, in drawing readers from all walks of life so that when I do write about disability issues I'm not "preaching to the choir". Figuratively speaking - only. Disclaimers as to the literal meaning, etc.
Speaking of choirs, have you seen these kids? PS 22 has a chorus of fifth graders drawn from city schools with phenomenal talent that has been showcased all over - and somehow I missed noticing them up until now. Enjoy.
8 comments:
I've blogged for many years. A few times I deleted my blog because I wanted to change it but regretted that. Now I don't even have a blog but perhaps will again one day. Take care.
John
I don't think you've written where you encourage people to see you as a patient or see this as a health blog. Sadly it comes from other peoples' perception of disability which can sometimes be one-sided. However I look forward to what you decide to do.
Agree that the being seen as a patient isnt helpful!
Been with you since quite a couple of blogs back... I enjoy your writing a lot. Look forward to whatever's next.
WCD
Thanks for your comments - and feedback. Much appreciated - as always.
Lately I see what are being called disability sites where the medical emphasis seems overdone. This seems to be a trend on some of the message board and community sites. To me it's a step backward and I share your concerns.
You've got a bit the problem that I do - more than one focus - and yours is even in your blog name: both the Catholic and the disability angle.
I'm sure, over time, you'll probably balance and re-balance because there is no one "right" way.
I like what you post. I'm edified even by the reasons you have for changing: I might not otherwise notice.
On a side note: our newest affiliate (first stage of entering the monastery) is a woman with serious loss of sight (legally blind, but recently helped by high tech glasses to see more). It's very interesting to watch how the community tries to figure out the right mix of assisting and not, and how to speak about it. If she does enter (move in) it will certainly be a learning experience. I have been grateful for ideas and realizations you've given me as I've tried to be friendly first and useful second.
Peace.
Sr. Edith- I appreciate your insights about this - we do both have blogs that address several topics and it can result in "balancing" issues - reframing it that way is helpful.
I will keep your community in prayer as your newest affiliate both learns and teaches about inclusion. It reminds me of the first time I went on a Ski for Light trip - and was surrounded by a few dozen folks with visual impairments - and just me in the wheelchair. I learned so much from them - and they from me - and we were so open to each other, perhaps because we are used to going in and out of different "cultures" - that it was a joyful experience. So I also pray that this will be her experience and that of the community.
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