As the Olympic trials go on, Paralympic trials are also being held. Here's a clip from Eugene Oregon, where a video was taken by some very enthusiastic family members and coaches. Enjoy watching this exciting sport. 102 degrees on the track, the 1500 m race...
For a list of all the track and field results, go here.
Tatyana McFadden, who fought for the right to be included in wheelchair track events in high school, and who is a repeat Paralympian, is being featured on McDonald's cups as sponsorship opportunities for Paralympians increase. As a result of her efforts, Maryland passed legislation providing equal opportunities for participation in school sports that goes into effect tomorrow , July 1. Here's a short clip about her:
Monday, June 30, 2008
Hurdling toward the Olympics
Hurdler Queen Harrison of Virginia Tech found herself presented with a unique obstacle in the Olympic trials when another competitor fell in front of her. Reacting quickly, she was able to make the Olympic team.
Meanwhile, across the sea at Wimbledon, the three top seeds in the women's division are out. Jankovic, termed 'grumpy' by the press, was complaining about having to play her last match on Court 18, quipping that she needed a helicopter to get out there.
Such comments don't surprise me after years of playing competitive wheelchair tennis. I've heard players gripe about everything from the brand of grip they used on their racket to what was served for lunch, as if victory could be had if only there was better food available.
Took me a number of years to figure out that players could win on an empty stomach playing on a sloped tennis lot in a rainstorm, depending on their attitude and focus. More times than not, the conditions sports are played in are unpredictable.
This morning underdog Harrison, who at 19 years old is the youngest member of the team, knows what it's like to defy the odds by making the most out of an unpredictable situation. Despite all the training, no one can instill or teach an athlete how to cope with that. (I wonder if she knows about hurdler Harrison Dillard, who had a comeback in London after missing the 1948 Olympics.)
I can't think of anyone better to send to the Olympics. And I can't help but mention this: she's so young that when asked in a July 2007 interview what her most memorable moment in sports was, she cited her high school long jump competititon. I suppose now that answer will change.
Meanwhile, across the sea at Wimbledon, the three top seeds in the women's division are out. Jankovic, termed 'grumpy' by the press, was complaining about having to play her last match on Court 18, quipping that she needed a helicopter to get out there.
Such comments don't surprise me after years of playing competitive wheelchair tennis. I've heard players gripe about everything from the brand of grip they used on their racket to what was served for lunch, as if victory could be had if only there was better food available.
Took me a number of years to figure out that players could win on an empty stomach playing on a sloped tennis lot in a rainstorm, depending on their attitude and focus. More times than not, the conditions sports are played in are unpredictable.
This morning underdog Harrison, who at 19 years old is the youngest member of the team, knows what it's like to defy the odds by making the most out of an unpredictable situation. Despite all the training, no one can instill or teach an athlete how to cope with that. (I wonder if she knows about hurdler Harrison Dillard, who had a comeback in London after missing the 1948 Olympics.)
I can't think of anyone better to send to the Olympics. And I can't help but mention this: she's so young that when asked in a July 2007 interview what her most memorable moment in sports was, she cited her high school long jump competititon. I suppose now that answer will change.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Poet of Poverty
Msgr. Michael Doyle has served the poor of Camden NJ for the past forty years. Below is a trailer for the Documentary film, "Poet of Poverty." based on the letters of Msgr. Michael Doyle. It's a film about how the poorest city in America can exist in the richest state in the union.
Msgr. Doyle was recently interviewed by WHYY. You can listen to a clip here.
His book and the DVD for the documentary can be purchased here.
from the film's web page:
Narrated by actor Martin Sheen, “Poet of Poverty” is built around the letters that Msgr. Doyle, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in South Camden, sends monthly to parishioners, friends and supporters.
The letter that begins the film was written in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and accompanies the image of a child walking past boarded-up buildings and trash-filled streets on his way to school.
“A seventh grade boy in Sacred Heart School made this comment after the frightening destruction of the twin towers in New York that killed 2,700 people. ‘I feel safe here,’ he said. It was an amazing statement because most people are shocked in their shoes and scared to death. ‘You’re not afraid,’ he was asked. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I’m not afraid because if the terrorists fly over Camden, they’ll think they have done it already.’”
Msgr. Doyle was recently interviewed by WHYY. You can listen to a clip here.
His book and the DVD for the documentary can be purchased here.
The Wild West cure
Sometimes I see a movie and there's a disability theme handled so poorly or a character portrayed so badly, that I just can't help but give it a name.
Last night I watched an Indie film called Dear Wendy, a quirky film about a youth who considers himself a loser until he develops an interest in guns. He forms a group of other 'losers' who each obtain a gun, which makes them feel less like losers. There's even a character with a disability in the group, who walks with crutches and leg braces after years of using a wheelchair. This, it is said, makes it less likely for his younger brother to be teased. (His brother is considered a 'loser' too.
And at the end of this film, there's a Western style showdown between the kids and cops. The kid with the crutches announces he wants to lead the way, goes out, gets shot in the leg and in one of the most unbelievable scenes I've ever watched, staggers down the street without his crutches exclaiming "Guys, I can walk! Look, I can walk" , is riddled with more bullets, falls and dies.
Being shot at is not a cure. At least not until now. Too bad this medical marvel didn't live so he could be studied.
I suppose this movie could be known as the "wild west cure".
Dramatic moment, that.
Last night I watched an Indie film called Dear Wendy, a quirky film about a youth who considers himself a loser until he develops an interest in guns. He forms a group of other 'losers' who each obtain a gun, which makes them feel less like losers. There's even a character with a disability in the group, who walks with crutches and leg braces after years of using a wheelchair. This, it is said, makes it less likely for his younger brother to be teased. (His brother is considered a 'loser' too.
And at the end of this film, there's a Western style showdown between the kids and cops. The kid with the crutches announces he wants to lead the way, goes out, gets shot in the leg and in one of the most unbelievable scenes I've ever watched, staggers down the street without his crutches exclaiming "Guys, I can walk! Look, I can walk" , is riddled with more bullets, falls and dies.
Being shot at is not a cure. At least not until now. Too bad this medical marvel didn't live so he could be studied.
I suppose this movie could be known as the "wild west cure".
Dramatic moment, that.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Essential Woman
Written by Kristen West McGuire
The Essential Woman presents short excerpts from Edith Stein’s Essays on Woman, alongside reflections on feminine virtue by Kristen West McGuire and Alexandra Burghardt. It is an easy-to read introduction to the life and work of Edith Stein, (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), a Jewish convert and Carmelite who died in Auschwitz in 1942. The book includes an Edith Stein bibliography, and discussion questions.
A veteran Catholic writer, McGuire holds a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Psychology from Georgetown University. She was a columnist on spirituality and art history for Catholic Faith and Family in 2000-2001. Her work has also been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Our Sunday Visitor, and Envoy.
The book is only $5.95, and bulk discounts are available for parish groups and retailers. The book is also available as a free gift for paid subscribers to Secretum Meum Mihi newsletter. (Download PDF subscriptions are $12.95/year, and print subscriptions are $24.95/year.)
To order, click here.
I don't transfer for aliens...
Scientists say there are signs Martian soil could support life. Definitely asparagus.
Last night I laid down to go to sleep when I saw bright, pulsing lights radiating outside my window up and down the street. I thought perhaps a neighborhood teen was blasting music and keeping time with the headlights on his car, but when the lights didn't stop for about ten minutes, I sighed and reluctantly moved an inch or two to peek outside. That was as far as I was moving.
The entire street was lit up. It resembled a scene from a movie I saw where aliens landed and their ship sent off strange pulsating lights.
I laid back down. I was thinking "PSE&G" or some utility truck working at night, sending off light signals.
Or aliens.
But it had been a long day and I wasn't going to transfer into my wheelchair to check out what was going on. I laid there, watching the lights for a bit longer and then I heard a vehicle drive by and the lights stopped.
Guess it wasn't aliens. I wasn't transferring either way.
Anyway I was curious as to whether others would approach an alien spaceship if it landed, so I went to the answerbag, where one astute person stated he had seen enough movies to know approaching one was a bad idea.
Last night I laid down to go to sleep when I saw bright, pulsing lights radiating outside my window up and down the street. I thought perhaps a neighborhood teen was blasting music and keeping time with the headlights on his car, but when the lights didn't stop for about ten minutes, I sighed and reluctantly moved an inch or two to peek outside. That was as far as I was moving.
The entire street was lit up. It resembled a scene from a movie I saw where aliens landed and their ship sent off strange pulsating lights.
I laid back down. I was thinking "PSE&G" or some utility truck working at night, sending off light signals.
Or aliens.
But it had been a long day and I wasn't going to transfer into my wheelchair to check out what was going on. I laid there, watching the lights for a bit longer and then I heard a vehicle drive by and the lights stopped.
Guess it wasn't aliens. I wasn't transferring either way.
Anyway I was curious as to whether others would approach an alien spaceship if it landed, so I went to the answerbag, where one astute person stated he had seen enough movies to know approaching one was a bad idea.
Hearing on restraining order held : the Race case
I found this interesting post about Carol Race, the mother of the boy with autism who is fighting the church's restraining order, which contains a letter from a priest who knows her. She was in court yesterday, but no decision was rendered. The court reminded those present that the scope of inquiry was whether harassment occurred, now that the situation has been taken to a court of law under a restraining order.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wall Street Journal article on Harriet McBryde Johnson
entitled A Life Worth Living was forwarded to me this morning. You can find the article here., and here's an excerpt concerning culturally acceptable choices :
Yet, despite the lip service we pay to "accommodation" (and the genuine good that comes from legislation such as the Americans With Disabilities Act), we now find ourselves in a disturbing situation: As our scientific powers to eliminate disability grow, our acceptance of disability wanes.
Yet, despite the lip service we pay to "accommodation" (and the genuine good that comes from legislation such as the Americans With Disabilities Act), we now find ourselves in a disturbing situation: As our scientific powers to eliminate disability grow, our acceptance of disability wanes.
To cite just one example, consider the rapid near-disappearance of people with Down Syndrome. ...This at a time when new developments in medicine have nearly doubled the average life span of people who have the condition to 49 from 25 years. As a culture, we have made what Amy Laura Hall of Duke University Divinity School calls a "democratic calculus of worth" regarding Down Syndrome. And that calculus has resulted in a society hostile to people who refuse to make the culturally acceptable choice of ridding themselves of a disabled child before she is born.
For the good of us all
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.
Jane Addams
People with disabilities have something the world needs. Harriet McBryde Johnson
One of the reactions I received to yesterday's post about staring and obstruction was from a rather successful friend with a disability who asked me if I thought she didn't understand what it was like to live with a disability.
I explained to her that I certainly thought she did. I also pointed out that for those of us (including myself ) who have certain advantages, the playing field is different than for those who don't.
She then asked me why this was different than able bodied people coming from different situations. She became angry and asked if I was suggesting that she should think about those people and somehow feel responsible toward them, to which I replied
"Well you could."
And there was a silence.
I suppose some might think of this dilemna as a saint or sinner situation. It's not about that. When we act in ways that directly provide a hand up or indirectly assist others, it's not always a huge investment of time. It can be an email, a phone call, even a few words of encouragement. That certainly doesn't make us a saint.
Nor does it make us a sinner if we have to say no. We all have our own bills to pay and know what's on our individual plates, what our resources are at any given time, etc.
But there is a middle ground shown by the way we live and act - an acknowledgment that in our own community there are others whom we can reach out toward.
I think the saint and sinner question often hides a more obvious truth: securing good things for ourselves is a precarious position as people with disabilities until others can have access to them too. Those who are forward thinking use their advantages to help pull others up, knowing that it is the overall well being of everyone in our community that matters in order to enact the changes we need to see.
There are many people I've met over the years who do exactly this. They are all around if you check out the blogosphere: those who share their knowledge, their compassion, their talents and have an earnest desire to improve life for those with disabilities. Take a moment and visit my sidebar links and you'll meet many of them. I don't think of them as saints or of others as sinners, however.
Just humans who care about the good of all of us.
[image description: The front page of a comic book by Clive Barker called Saint Sinner shows the illustration of a man in a brown suit with his arms outstretched, darkened eyes and his mouth open in a scream.]
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Beyond staring and obstruction
I am struck by the commonality of experiences that go beyond the individual nature of disability, both in its type and despite our circumstances. It makes no difference who we are , right? Well yes, it does in some ways, but the experience of disability has many common grounds.
One day I turned onto the main street where I live and there was Michael Graves in his power chair, right in front of me. I followed him in my power chair. I had one question in mind: what was his experience going down that street like? How did it differ from mine as an unknown person?
I watched the reactions of people. A few greeted him. Some shook his hand. Others engaged him in brief conversations. He had an assistant with him. They went into a restaurant to eat and disappeared from sight after fifteen minutes.
But that wasn't all I was watching. I was watching to see how those who did not recognize him acted vis a vis him in his wheelchair.
And what stood out to me was that the same people who walked right in front of my power chair when I came near them, the same folks who stared at me - walked in front of him and stared at him.
Except because he led the way, they did it to him first. Then they acted the same way toward me. And, although I know this from traveling in groups of people in wheelchairs, it was a stark reminder that it is the wheelchair, not the person, that triggers the staring, etc.
And it's an amazing sight to see it in "serial" fashion - when they stare at person A in wheelchair, then person B. Or when they step right in front of several people in wheelchairs within a matter of minutes. Which brings to mind the question: what are people seeing? What really are they thinking when they act in certain ways?
It reminds me of the time I was in a hotel lobby traveling with about ten friends in wheelchairs. A patron looked around and said to a friend of mine "Where did you all come from?"
To which, without meeting a beat, my friend replied "There was a bad accident up on the highway."
We come from every walk of life (no pun intended), every strata of society, every level of income, education and every culture. We are citizens, refugees and immigrants. And, yes, some of us are famous before, after and/or during disability, while most of us are not.
What no one can see is that there is among us a commonality of experience from going down a street the way our disability moves us to, and being in the world, that deserves note. We are a vital part of the entire community and a community that recognizes that where we all come from is the same is richer for a curiosity about our being that goes beyond staring and obstruction.
One day I turned onto the main street where I live and there was Michael Graves in his power chair, right in front of me. I followed him in my power chair. I had one question in mind: what was his experience going down that street like? How did it differ from mine as an unknown person?
I watched the reactions of people. A few greeted him. Some shook his hand. Others engaged him in brief conversations. He had an assistant with him. They went into a restaurant to eat and disappeared from sight after fifteen minutes.
But that wasn't all I was watching. I was watching to see how those who did not recognize him acted vis a vis him in his wheelchair.
And what stood out to me was that the same people who walked right in front of my power chair when I came near them, the same folks who stared at me - walked in front of him and stared at him.
Except because he led the way, they did it to him first. Then they acted the same way toward me. And, although I know this from traveling in groups of people in wheelchairs, it was a stark reminder that it is the wheelchair, not the person, that triggers the staring, etc.
And it's an amazing sight to see it in "serial" fashion - when they stare at person A in wheelchair, then person B. Or when they step right in front of several people in wheelchairs within a matter of minutes. Which brings to mind the question: what are people seeing? What really are they thinking when they act in certain ways?
It reminds me of the time I was in a hotel lobby traveling with about ten friends in wheelchairs. A patron looked around and said to a friend of mine "Where did you all come from?"
To which, without meeting a beat, my friend replied "There was a bad accident up on the highway."
We come from every walk of life (no pun intended), every strata of society, every level of income, education and every culture. We are citizens, refugees and immigrants. And, yes, some of us are famous before, after and/or during disability, while most of us are not.
What no one can see is that there is among us a commonality of experience from going down a street the way our disability moves us to, and being in the world, that deserves note. We are a vital part of the entire community and a community that recognizes that where we all come from is the same is richer for a curiosity about our being that goes beyond staring and obstruction.
Disability blog carnival : Celebrations
..is up over at Pipe Cleaner Dreams. It begins:
Happy Blog Carnival Day! Come on in, get comfortable, have some cake and let’s talk celebrations. That’s the theme of this 40th disability blog carnival. I asked all of you to define what celebration means to you. How do you have fun? How do you mark the special moments in your life and your family's life? What things do you celebrate? Big things? Little moments? Who joins you in those celebrations, and who doesn't? Are there barriers that keep you from celebrating the way your would like? What celebratory news have you recently seen in the press? And you all responded with such exuberance! There are a lot of stories to get through, but I promise it will be well worth your time. And, if you make it through the whole list, I will have a special surprise for you at the end!
-go on over ...the surprise looks delicious and is just on time for a celebration of the passage of this bill yesterday.
Happy Blog Carnival Day! Come on in, get comfortable, have some cake and let’s talk celebrations. That’s the theme of this 40th disability blog carnival. I asked all of you to define what celebration means to you. How do you have fun? How do you mark the special moments in your life and your family's life? What things do you celebrate? Big things? Little moments? Who joins you in those celebrations, and who doesn't? Are there barriers that keep you from celebrating the way your would like? What celebratory news have you recently seen in the press? And you all responded with such exuberance! There are a lot of stories to get through, but I promise it will be well worth your time. And, if you make it through the whole list, I will have a special surprise for you at the end!
-go on over ...the surprise looks delicious and is just on time for a celebration of the passage of this bill yesterday.
Birdsong
Birdsong from trees
Divide day from night
Beyond dreams
Under drafty windows we sleep
The trees outside sway
Leaves brown green lift up down
Morse code?
Nature speaks at night
Warbling raconteurs
By day.
Copyright 2008 Ruth Harrigan
Divide day from night
Beyond dreams
Under drafty windows we sleep
The trees outside sway
Leaves brown green lift up down
Morse code?
Nature speaks at night
Warbling raconteurs
By day.
Copyright 2008 Ruth Harrigan
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Fixing the broken
Medicare Savings vs the Lobbyists, an editorial in the NY Times today has some interesting comments which reflect a much broader understanding of the issues involved than I've seen in other discussions.
In the comments, that is, not the editorial.
Unfortunately there seems to be a school of thought out there that buying products on the internet and the prices reflected there are a fair comparison for a basis of competitive bids for dealers, with utter disregard for the consumer's need for service and the dealer's commitment to provide service. When a consumer purchases a power chair, for example, whether with his/her own money or the government's, we are also buying in home service from a dealer. These are the kinds of issues that need to be considered in the mix.
It is in my vested interest as a consumer of durable medical goods to work toward affordable prices. On the other hand, I don't expect a dealer to work for free or not make a profit. And I don't want dealers to go out of business when I need to depend on them to service what I buy. Nor do I want to buy equipment that I can't get serviced.
Real solutions will entail far reaching changes to the system itself as well as a recognition that people with disabilities and wheelchair users are a far more diverse group than many think.
Our current system fails to work for those who are not on Medicare and also fails to work for those who are. In my circle of friends, more than half of them bought their current wheelchair on ebay- a chair that was not even measured for them. Most of them work full time. Their insurers denied their claims even though they have used wheelchairs for many years. Let's talk about that issue too, while we're bandying about words like entitlement and milking the system, a sad commentary on assumptions run wild about those of us who use wheelchairs.
Our system is so broken because of piecemeal approaches for so many years that an overhaul of unprecedented proportions is called for. Congress needs to consider the needs of the elderly and the disability community, the dealers, the manufacturers - the profit quotient is a reality, by the way, because without it no one would make wheelchairs - and we all need to face the fact that to get rid of overspending, we cannot just pull the rug out from under an existing system people rely upon to survive.
Have we taken a look at what role dealers play in the system, how many gaps they fill in between manufacturers and consumers? If we undercut dealers' necessary profit, the already difficult task of finding someone to fix equipment will become impossible on local levels.
Congress needs to listen to wheelchair users, to people who are consumers of this equipment to find out how to enact changes that will not destroy the current system without replacing it.
Because having a broken wheelchair is like not having one.
[HR 6331, passed in the House yesterday, includes provisions to delay the first round of implementation of competitive bidding.]
In the comments, that is, not the editorial.
Unfortunately there seems to be a school of thought out there that buying products on the internet and the prices reflected there are a fair comparison for a basis of competitive bids for dealers, with utter disregard for the consumer's need for service and the dealer's commitment to provide service. When a consumer purchases a power chair, for example, whether with his/her own money or the government's, we are also buying in home service from a dealer. These are the kinds of issues that need to be considered in the mix.
It is in my vested interest as a consumer of durable medical goods to work toward affordable prices. On the other hand, I don't expect a dealer to work for free or not make a profit. And I don't want dealers to go out of business when I need to depend on them to service what I buy. Nor do I want to buy equipment that I can't get serviced.
Real solutions will entail far reaching changes to the system itself as well as a recognition that people with disabilities and wheelchair users are a far more diverse group than many think.
Our current system fails to work for those who are not on Medicare and also fails to work for those who are. In my circle of friends, more than half of them bought their current wheelchair on ebay- a chair that was not even measured for them. Most of them work full time. Their insurers denied their claims even though they have used wheelchairs for many years. Let's talk about that issue too, while we're bandying about words like entitlement and milking the system, a sad commentary on assumptions run wild about those of us who use wheelchairs.
Our system is so broken because of piecemeal approaches for so many years that an overhaul of unprecedented proportions is called for. Congress needs to consider the needs of the elderly and the disability community, the dealers, the manufacturers - the profit quotient is a reality, by the way, because without it no one would make wheelchairs - and we all need to face the fact that to get rid of overspending, we cannot just pull the rug out from under an existing system people rely upon to survive.
Have we taken a look at what role dealers play in the system, how many gaps they fill in between manufacturers and consumers? If we undercut dealers' necessary profit, the already difficult task of finding someone to fix equipment will become impossible on local levels.
Congress needs to listen to wheelchair users, to people who are consumers of this equipment to find out how to enact changes that will not destroy the current system without replacing it.
Because having a broken wheelchair is like not having one.
[HR 6331, passed in the House yesterday, includes provisions to delay the first round of implementation of competitive bidding.]
Flight ultralight wheelchair
A friend of mine told me about this wheelchair last night. It's got a rigid seat base rather than a sling...and it folds.
from their website, more photos and a description:
Flight Ultralight Wheelchair is engineered to be as light and as strong as possible. The frame is constructed without the need for welding! That means no welds to break, crack, corrode, or degrade the base metal.
- Folds to 9 1/2 inches from handrim to handrim
- Weighs just 18 pounds
- Rigid seat base provides better support than conventional sling seat wheelchairs
- Precision machining creates more consistently accurate wheel alignment, resulting in an easier push and a more responsive ride
- Aerospace-based construction requires less maintenance, with a groundbreaking caster design that can endure what active users dish out
- Fully-customizable, from seat sizing to accessories to colors and more
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Choices
I was sitting in the square. At the table next to me were parents visiting their daughter, a college student. There was grade trouble or some other problem apparently, because the conversation became heated. Words like responsibility and maturity were flung around by the father. The mother sat silently, staring ahead. The daughter, perched on the bench next to her mother, looked for maternal support and found none.
"You will find," her father said, "that there are choices in life. There are some gray areas. But if you don't follow the rules in life, you will be crushed. "
I turned and saw the daughter stand up, pause and then leave.
The parents sat silently in the bright afternoon sunshine, alone.
"You will find," her father said, "that there are choices in life. There are some gray areas. But if you don't follow the rules in life, you will be crushed. "
I turned and saw the daughter stand up, pause and then leave.
The parents sat silently in the bright afternoon sunshine, alone.
Disability is an advantage
The thing most people don't know about me is that I love a good challenge.
I've always been that way. Raise the hurdle for me and I find a way over it. Make it more difficult and I'll solve it.
Put me in a situation where there's no access, and it looks like I can't get there and I'll get as resourceful and creative as need be to get around it.
I'm the person climbing up the steps, even with quaddy arms.
I'm the person staying up all night pecking out my work with a stick, even when others are in bed.
I'm the person who will get it done.
And it's not because I'm trying to be an inspiration. I am just trying to do what will give me a full and productive life.
And if you see me climbing up steps, crawling, or doing any of those other things, don't worry about it. Because eventually I know things like
access &
assistive technology
will come around my way. And when it does and it levels the playing field, all those skills I gained, all that persistence I mustered and all that patience I summoned really makes me fly along.
Disability is not just a challenge. It's an advantage.
I've always been that way. Raise the hurdle for me and I find a way over it. Make it more difficult and I'll solve it.
Put me in a situation where there's no access, and it looks like I can't get there and I'll get as resourceful and creative as need be to get around it.
I'm the person climbing up the steps, even with quaddy arms.
I'm the person staying up all night pecking out my work with a stick, even when others are in bed.
I'm the person who will get it done.
And it's not because I'm trying to be an inspiration. I am just trying to do what will give me a full and productive life.
And if you see me climbing up steps, crawling, or doing any of those other things, don't worry about it. Because eventually I know things like
access &
assistive technology
will come around my way. And when it does and it levels the playing field, all those skills I gained, all that persistence I mustered and all that patience I summoned really makes me fly along.
Disability is not just a challenge. It's an advantage.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.5 on VIsta
[a few weeks ago I wrote a post about using Windows Vista voice-recognition on an everyday basis and gave it a positive review; however, I did run into one glitch with it that I have not been able to figure out: when I correct inaccuracies in large Word files, and then save, the corrections are not saved. ]
This morning I'm using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.5, which has been updated for Vista, to dictate this post. after I installed Dragon, or change it (that should be I trained it-for purposes of illustration, on leaving the errors and (in)), and began to use it on the Internet with Firefox. It performed very well, although I had to use the built-in VIsta voice-recognition a few times when Dragon could not perform a few tasks. Other than that, the accuracy was pretty good.
I then went into Microsoft Word and some kind of glitch occurred where Microsoft Word would not recognize Dragon. I turned the Vista voice-recognition back on so that I could close word, fix my gadgets which crashed, reopen Microsoft Word and try Dragon again. Similar to the Web, I discovered that I needed to use assistive devices or a second voice-recognition program to be completely hands-free. once I was in word the second time, the dictation from Dragon NaturallySpeaking was awesome. Hands down, once you are dictating a document, Dragon NaturallySpeaking shines. The difficulty I have is that there are glitches I encounter that frustrate me along the way.
The solution? At this point I am keeping both programs open: Dragon NaturallySpeaking end Microsoft Windows this to voice-recognition (that should be Windows Vesta voice-recognition). Well you get the idea.
[for purposes of illustration, I did not correct the inaccuracies in this post.]
This morning I'm using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.5, which has been updated for Vista, to dictate this post. after I installed Dragon, or change it (that should be I trained it-for purposes of illustration, on leaving the errors and (in)), and began to use it on the Internet with Firefox. It performed very well, although I had to use the built-in VIsta voice-recognition a few times when Dragon could not perform a few tasks. Other than that, the accuracy was pretty good.
I then went into Microsoft Word and some kind of glitch occurred where Microsoft Word would not recognize Dragon. I turned the Vista voice-recognition back on so that I could close word, fix my gadgets which crashed, reopen Microsoft Word and try Dragon again. Similar to the Web, I discovered that I needed to use assistive devices or a second voice-recognition program to be completely hands-free. once I was in word the second time, the dictation from Dragon NaturallySpeaking was awesome. Hands down, once you are dictating a document, Dragon NaturallySpeaking shines. The difficulty I have is that there are glitches I encounter that frustrate me along the way.
The solution? At this point I am keeping both programs open: Dragon NaturallySpeaking end Microsoft Windows this to voice-recognition (that should be Windows Vesta voice-recognition). Well you get the idea.
[for purposes of illustration, I did not correct the inaccuracies in this post.]
Olympic/Paralympic coverage...
will be shown online.
A four screen online video player, as well as live TV player, is being set up by NBC and, although it's in the beginning stages, there's a lot of content there already for the Olympics, including the diving and gymnastic trials from this past weekend .
Videos for the Paralympics will be viewable at this site.
And here's a clip from the 2008 Paralympic swimming trials:
A four screen online video player, as well as live TV player, is being set up by NBC and, although it's in the beginning stages, there's a lot of content there already for the Olympics, including the diving and gymnastic trials from this past weekend .
Videos for the Paralympics will be viewable at this site.
And here's a clip from the 2008 Paralympic swimming trials:
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Touched by Love (1980)
This is one of the sweetest movies I've ever watched. It's about the tender relationship between a young nurse and a young girl with CP who, after years of institutionalization, has shut down. The nurse, determined to reach her before the girl is transferred out of a rehab school to a less progressive institution, is played by Deborah Raffin. The cast includes Diane Lane, (Good night Momma) Walton, and a character actress who many of you might recognize from The Trouble With Angels.
Although the star (Lane) is not a disabled actress, the cast includes children with disabilities who attended the actual school, showing them interacting and, in one scene, dancing in their power chairs. And, while the film is overly sentimental, it doesn't serve up a happy ending, as this book notes.
Gotta love the fact that the young star has a crush on Elvis Presley and writes him.
Although the star (Lane) is not a disabled actress, the cast includes children with disabilities who attended the actual school, showing them interacting and, in one scene, dancing in their power chairs. And, while the film is overly sentimental, it doesn't serve up a happy ending, as this book notes.
Gotta love the fact that the young star has a crush on Elvis Presley and writes him.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Proposed settlement for prescriptions for low income Medicare recipients
Those folks on Medicare who fall into the low income bracket may soon get relief with their difficulties obtaining prescription drugs under a proposed settlement this past Thursday.
Many people are not getting the relief they need in order to obtain necessary prescription drugs and the settlement is in response to a class suit.
In early 2006, low-income beneficiaries were often overcharged, and some were turned away from pharmacies without getting their medications. Several states declared public health emergencies, and many stepped in to pay for prescriptions that should have been covered by the federal Medicare program.
Under the proposed settlement, filed Thursday with the United States District Court in San Francisco, federal Medicare officials promised to speed up the process of providing extra help to low-income people, who now could qualify within days, rather than weeks or months.
Drug benefits are delivered by private insurers under contract to Medicare. Under the settlement, these insurers will have to provide medications at minimal cost for any Medicare recipients who prove they have low incomes and qualify for extra help. via NY Times
Many people are not getting the relief they need in order to obtain necessary prescription drugs and the settlement is in response to a class suit.
In early 2006, low-income beneficiaries were often overcharged, and some were turned away from pharmacies without getting their medications. Several states declared public health emergencies, and many stepped in to pay for prescriptions that should have been covered by the federal Medicare program.
Under the proposed settlement, filed Thursday with the United States District Court in San Francisco, federal Medicare officials promised to speed up the process of providing extra help to low-income people, who now could qualify within days, rather than weeks or months.
Drug benefits are delivered by private insurers under contract to Medicare. Under the settlement, these insurers will have to provide medications at minimal cost for any Medicare recipients who prove they have low incomes and qualify for extra help. via NY Times
Friday, June 20, 2008
Dating and Disability
Over at My Life as a Platypus, Goldie has written a wonderful post about her relationship with a friend she calls Todd, who used a wheelchair. Todd was her boyfriend in college and she writes candidly of her memories going out with him and running into access issues, as well as other aspects of their relationship. It's a great followup post to the 30 days segment, if anyone is interested in reading about relationships and disability from the point of view of a girlfriend/significant other. Here's an excerpt:
Todd and I met at the Special Olympics where we were both “Buddies” and were cheering on the athletes. I actually walked up to him and introduced myself because I had heard who he was through some mutual friends. We clicked immediately, (he liked that I was not intimidated by his chair) and had a date that same night. During that date I didn’t know how he did things and or if he needed help with anything so I just asked. He really appreciated that I felt comfortable asking but that I also didn’t assume he was helpless. Turns out he did NOT need any help.
Todd was an intelligent, kind, and strong man who was a lot of fun to be with. He also happened to be in a wheelchair. During our relationship we openly discussed our lives and the challenges we each faced… because we ALL face challenges in life.
...
We did a lot of normal couple things, and some more unusual things. I learned how to do wheelies using his extra chair, and we would have wheelchair races in his apartment. There were also some challenging situations. We once attended a formal event at a local restaurant and discovered there were steps but no ramp. I had to help him wheel up the steps backwards. This happened more often than you would expect. My arms got very strong that year. He would get upset because EVERY place open to the public should be accessible (we were in the country and they were still catching up), and when they were not it made him feel like a second-class citizen. He did not like to make scenes where he seemed different than everyone else.
To read the rest, go here.
Todd and I met at the Special Olympics where we were both “Buddies” and were cheering on the athletes. I actually walked up to him and introduced myself because I had heard who he was through some mutual friends. We clicked immediately, (he liked that I was not intimidated by his chair) and had a date that same night. During that date I didn’t know how he did things and or if he needed help with anything so I just asked. He really appreciated that I felt comfortable asking but that I also didn’t assume he was helpless. Turns out he did NOT need any help.
Todd was an intelligent, kind, and strong man who was a lot of fun to be with. He also happened to be in a wheelchair. During our relationship we openly discussed our lives and the challenges we each faced… because we ALL face challenges in life.
...
We did a lot of normal couple things, and some more unusual things. I learned how to do wheelies using his extra chair, and we would have wheelchair races in his apartment. There were also some challenging situations. We once attended a formal event at a local restaurant and discovered there were steps but no ramp. I had to help him wheel up the steps backwards. This happened more often than you would expect. My arms got very strong that year. He would get upset because EVERY place open to the public should be accessible (we were in the country and they were still catching up), and when they were not it made him feel like a second-class citizen. He did not like to make scenes where he seemed different than everyone else.
To read the rest, go here.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
30 Days
The show 30 Days features folks trying all kinds of things - from a mom who binge drinks for 30 days to prove to her teen that it's not a good choice to folks who try working in a coal mine. And now we have NFL alum Ray Crockett trying out a wheelchair for 30 days. Is it an experience that surprises him? Or is it just another exercise in trying out equipment for a short time? Well, here's the episode from Hulu - judge for yourself.
My opinion? Some good interviews and information were included and I think Ray was pretty candid about distinguishing between his "role" and the reality of those of us who use wheelchairs in our lives. Gotta love the quad rugby players beating up on an NFL superstar though, huh?
My opinion? Some good interviews and information were included and I think Ray was pretty candid about distinguishing between his "role" and the reality of those of us who use wheelchairs in our lives. Gotta love the quad rugby players beating up on an NFL superstar though, huh?
Positive decision in age-bias suit
The US Supreme Court has ruled favorably in an age bias suit in a 7-1 decision.
{w]hen older workers are disproportionately affected by an employment decision, the employer bears the burden of explaining whether there was a reasonable explanation other than age for the company's action.
The case involves workers over 40 who challenged their dismissals from jobs
The article can be read here.
The ADA Restoration Act also cleared hurdles.
{w]hen older workers are disproportionately affected by an employment decision, the employer bears the burden of explaining whether there was a reasonable explanation other than age for the company's action.
The case involves workers over 40 who challenged their dismissals from jobs
The article can be read here.
The ADA Restoration Act also cleared hurdles.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wheelchair tips from Bonnie
Bonnie, a C6-7 quad, has done a series of videos over at YouTube - on everything from the cooking gadgets she uses to feeding her cats. In this video, she shows some inexpensive gadgets and ways to accomplish tasks. Peer to peer learning - it's the way I figured out most of my adaptations. So here you go:
Thanks Bonnie!
Thanks Bonnie!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The power to empathize
Recently, the author J.K. Rowling spoke at the commencement of Harvard.
She spoke about the power of imagination, not as in "bed time stories", but to envision a better world, to help others to improve their lot in life. And she spoke of the responsibility carried by all of us, should we choose to accept it, to live in a way that sustains not only ourselves, but others.
"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation," Rowling said. "In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity; it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared. " via msnbc.com
J.K. Rowling also spoke of her work for Amnesty Int'l in her early twenties, about being with survivors of political exile and torture, hearing the screams of a young man told his mother was executed for his choice to speak out against injustice. She recalled a torture victim's kind words to her after she dropped him off somewhere, wishing her happiness despite his great suffering. She spoke of her awareness of realizing how inordinately fortunate she was at that young age .
The crowd went silent . The crimson flags of Harvard blew in the wind, parents and students looked up at the podium, professors strained forward in their seats, listening. And then she told the students that, with their advantages, they had the power to help others, to be a positive force for change in the lives of others, and what a difference that would make.
How inordinately fortunate we are to be in that position, those of us who do not live with political persecution, whose bellies are full, who can choose to use our imaginations not to tell bed time stories, but to create new stories in the lives of those who need our empathy.
She spoke about the power of imagination, not as in "bed time stories", but to envision a better world, to help others to improve their lot in life. And she spoke of the responsibility carried by all of us, should we choose to accept it, to live in a way that sustains not only ourselves, but others.
"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation," Rowling said. "In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity; it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared. " via msnbc.com
J.K. Rowling also spoke of her work for Amnesty Int'l in her early twenties, about being with survivors of political exile and torture, hearing the screams of a young man told his mother was executed for his choice to speak out against injustice. She recalled a torture victim's kind words to her after she dropped him off somewhere, wishing her happiness despite his great suffering. She spoke of her awareness of realizing how inordinately fortunate she was at that young age .
The crowd went silent . The crimson flags of Harvard blew in the wind, parents and students looked up at the podium, professors strained forward in their seats, listening. And then she told the students that, with their advantages, they had the power to help others, to be a positive force for change in the lives of others, and what a difference that would make.
How inordinately fortunate we are to be in that position, those of us who do not live with political persecution, whose bellies are full, who can choose to use our imaginations not to tell bed time stories, but to create new stories in the lives of those who need our empathy.
Monday, June 16, 2008
3 Wise (Tech) Men
Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com
How many tech guys does it take to keep my technology going?
The count is probably up to 10 this week, but more are on the way. I hear they're into saving gas.
[visual description: The three wise men are shown traveling at night on camels.]
It's pink. Pink.
I spent part of yesterday celebrating my nephew's upcoming birthday with him. I bequeathed him my old and well-worn iBook, reboxed as if new with a big sign that said Happy Birthday. When he arrived, I told him I had a gift for someone in the next room that needed a bow and asked if he would go put a bow on the package. Because it was his birthday, he looked at me quizzically but said "Sure." I know he was expecting to hear about HIS gift, not someone else's! So he went into the other room. me behind him and all I heard was "Oh! You didn't!! Oh!"
The look on his face was priceless. Then he said "This deserves 24 hugs. More." I laughed and said "One hug will do." Birfdays are fun!
I spent the rest of the day in techno land, trying to come up with a better voice activated cell phone arrangement. My goal is to be able use more of the functions on a cell phone. I'm trying out a Nuance mobile phone package through Sprint on a Palm Centro to see how that works and I saved a lot of money by going for the mass market approach, using products designed for the able bodied that cost less because they are sold to more than the disability population. This program fetches mail, texts, digit dials , goes to web sites and does a number of other functions that will be very helpful. The phone, which was reasonably priced, also has the usual Palm stylus inputs. I can alternatively input data with a stylus on a mouthstick or assistive device for those functions that the voice may not cover. The Nuance Voice Control package costs 20 dollars a month, but I have a free one month trial package on the Palm. (Please note that some functions, such as email, limit the number of words in the body of the text to 20).
Last night, for the first time in umpteen years, between using the voice recognition, stylus and the Palm software on my voice activated computer, I was able to set up my own contacts for the phone. Independence! It was very exciting.
And, of course, the phone is pink. I'm a girl quad.
The look on his face was priceless. Then he said "This deserves 24 hugs. More." I laughed and said "One hug will do." Birfdays are fun!
I spent the rest of the day in techno land, trying to come up with a better voice activated cell phone arrangement. My goal is to be able use more of the functions on a cell phone. I'm trying out a Nuance mobile phone package through Sprint on a Palm Centro to see how that works and I saved a lot of money by going for the mass market approach, using products designed for the able bodied that cost less because they are sold to more than the disability population. This program fetches mail, texts, digit dials , goes to web sites and does a number of other functions that will be very helpful. The phone, which was reasonably priced, also has the usual Palm stylus inputs. I can alternatively input data with a stylus on a mouthstick or assistive device for those functions that the voice may not cover. The Nuance Voice Control package costs 20 dollars a month, but I have a free one month trial package on the Palm. (Please note that some functions, such as email, limit the number of words in the body of the text to 20).
Last night, for the first time in umpteen years, between using the voice recognition, stylus and the Palm software on my voice activated computer, I was able to set up my own contacts for the phone. Independence! It was very exciting.
And, of course, the phone is pink. I'm a girl quad.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Disability Blog Carnival 39
Emma is hosting this carnival and did a great job.
As she notes, there are many new bloggers in it, so go on over and discover new blogs to read! The blog carnivals attract so many different perspectives that they are a worthwhile read- always - with many treasures.
I leave you in her hands for the rest of the weekend and will be back Monday.
As she notes, there are many new bloggers in it, so go on over and discover new blogs to read! The blog carnivals attract so many different perspectives that they are a worthwhile read- always - with many treasures.
I leave you in her hands for the rest of the weekend and will be back Monday.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Unfair commentary
No, I'm not talking about the elections.
Yesterday someone engaged in behavior that I've seen a number of times since I've acquired quadriplegia. I've dubbed it "unfair commentary" , for lack of a better term. Basically, it's when a person comments about my "disability situation", using adjectives such as terrible, horrible, etc. I'm not talking about normal comments, which happen all the time. I'm referring to commentary that has a message along the lines of "How can you live like that?"
I don't often encounter unfair commentary along these lines and I'll spare you the actual exchange. I simply handled it. When he continued, I cut him off effectively, assertively with a few choice words.
Unfair commentary. Because it is rude and not acceptable to question the validity of my existence as a person with quadriplegia.
I feel compelled to blog about it, even though I know most people would never say these things to my face. But they may think them. I know this because some have said them to people in my circle - and so I know. This is not really a matter of being polite about it, by the way. It's a matter of being wrong. My existence as a person with a disability is just as valuable as anyone else's. My quality of life is affected more by my attitude than my circumstances - just as is true for any of God's children. And, although it is true and valid that some of my brothers and sisters with disabilities live in difficult situations, I face each day with the hope- and faith- that we can work together to make things better.
What we say and what we think about disability has a ripple effect. When people talk about disability in negative terms, there it goes skipping across the waters, sending out a wake effect. And the opposite happens when we see the person who has the disability and are able to see that he/she experiences the same joys as others and has the same dignity and worth.
Yesterday someone engaged in behavior that I've seen a number of times since I've acquired quadriplegia. I've dubbed it "unfair commentary" , for lack of a better term. Basically, it's when a person comments about my "disability situation", using adjectives such as terrible, horrible, etc. I'm not talking about normal comments, which happen all the time. I'm referring to commentary that has a message along the lines of "How can you live like that?"
I don't often encounter unfair commentary along these lines and I'll spare you the actual exchange. I simply handled it. When he continued, I cut him off effectively, assertively with a few choice words.
Unfair commentary. Because it is rude and not acceptable to question the validity of my existence as a person with quadriplegia.
I feel compelled to blog about it, even though I know most people would never say these things to my face. But they may think them. I know this because some have said them to people in my circle - and so I know. This is not really a matter of being polite about it, by the way. It's a matter of being wrong. My existence as a person with a disability is just as valuable as anyone else's. My quality of life is affected more by my attitude than my circumstances - just as is true for any of God's children. And, although it is true and valid that some of my brothers and sisters with disabilities live in difficult situations, I face each day with the hope- and faith- that we can work together to make things better.
What we say and what we think about disability has a ripple effect. When people talk about disability in negative terms, there it goes skipping across the waters, sending out a wake effect. And the opposite happens when we see the person who has the disability and are able to see that he/she experiences the same joys as others and has the same dignity and worth.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The right to offend - uniquely American?
In a series of NY Times articles about how the American legal system is unique compared to other countries', our First Amendment right which allows free speech, including speech that offends, is discussed. As the article explains, it is "uniquely American" to allow such freedom of speech, as long as it falls short of the imminent (unlawful action) requirement, not only in conversations but in magazines and newspapers.
The laws reflect our culture, however, and in 2008 there are some who are calling out for limits against free speech. Some say that the time has come to rein in the speech of those who insult other groups or who print offensive material under the rubric of free speech.
This raises an interesting question since at debates I've attended about free speech, I've learned that opinions vary, depending on the facts and hypotheticals given. For example, if you gave a hypothetical involving offensive speech toward Group A to members of Group A, they might very well agree that such speech should be banned. But if you change that hypothetical to something members of Group A routinely write or say about members of Group B, Group A realizes the profound effect that limiting free speech would have in their public discourse. This affects religious groups in a myriad of ways. (Although we can debate whether it would be a more civilized society, as some might say, I can't help but recall the silent streets of those countries where government not only silences speech, but regulates movement of its citizens to the point that they require a permit to leave their own town, such as in North Korea.)
Studying the way other countries govern is a good starting point when considering a change to our constitution. Countries whose government may be seen at the other end of the spectrum from a democracy are definitely worth learning about. Why? Because even in democracies, it's easy for government to enact changes that can erode the rights of people. And one of the ways that can be done, other than through legislation, is through court decisions, some of which deal with interpreting our rights under the constitution.
This may seem off topic for my blog, but it's not. Those who are interested in disability advocacy and inclusion would benefit from reading about legislative changes and court decisions that affect laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is also important to realize the effect that changing constitutional laws such as the First Amendment would have in our everyday lives, even for those of us who blog about religion. We have to think through many hypothetical situations, inserting fact after fact, before we should be willing to relinquish any of our rights or even back new legislation.
It's easy to take for granted our right to speak out and speak up and even though it can be discouraging to feel as if we're not heard, it's important to remember that we're light years ahead of countries where what we say could be judged as offensive - and banned.
The laws reflect our culture, however, and in 2008 there are some who are calling out for limits against free speech. Some say that the time has come to rein in the speech of those who insult other groups or who print offensive material under the rubric of free speech.
This raises an interesting question since at debates I've attended about free speech, I've learned that opinions vary, depending on the facts and hypotheticals given. For example, if you gave a hypothetical involving offensive speech toward Group A to members of Group A, they might very well agree that such speech should be banned. But if you change that hypothetical to something members of Group A routinely write or say about members of Group B, Group A realizes the profound effect that limiting free speech would have in their public discourse. This affects religious groups in a myriad of ways. (Although we can debate whether it would be a more civilized society, as some might say, I can't help but recall the silent streets of those countries where government not only silences speech, but regulates movement of its citizens to the point that they require a permit to leave their own town, such as in North Korea.)
Studying the way other countries govern is a good starting point when considering a change to our constitution. Countries whose government may be seen at the other end of the spectrum from a democracy are definitely worth learning about. Why? Because even in democracies, it's easy for government to enact changes that can erode the rights of people. And one of the ways that can be done, other than through legislation, is through court decisions, some of which deal with interpreting our rights under the constitution.
This may seem off topic for my blog, but it's not. Those who are interested in disability advocacy and inclusion would benefit from reading about legislative changes and court decisions that affect laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is also important to realize the effect that changing constitutional laws such as the First Amendment would have in our everyday lives, even for those of us who blog about religion. We have to think through many hypothetical situations, inserting fact after fact, before we should be willing to relinquish any of our rights or even back new legislation.
It's easy to take for granted our right to speak out and speak up and even though it can be discouraging to feel as if we're not heard, it's important to remember that we're light years ahead of countries where what we say could be judged as offensive - and banned.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Never take ourselves too seriously
It's the summer of 1980. I'm sitting in front of a fan with a bowl of ice cubes placed strategically near it, studying for my summer law school class on constitutional law in my one room apartment in Detroit. Across the table sits my landlady's sister, who is going through a divorce , lonely, afraid. She watches me study - a lot.
It's okay. People watch me study all day long. I work five part time jobs to pay for my school expenses. They watch me study and keep me company.
I hear loud noises, look up and stare at the 13 inch black and white TV set that shows images from the 1980 Democratic convention. News - any news - is like leisure to me right now, time away from working and studying. I barely know who's running. Ted Kennedy. Jimmy Carter. Close. Nasty, some say. Kennedy's behind but not dropping out.
It's hot, real hot at the Democratic convention.
Carter was still able to maintain a substantial lead even after Kennedy swept the last batch of primaries in June. Despite this, Kennedy refused to drop out, and the 1980 Democratic National Convention was one of the nastiest on record. On the penultimate day, Kennedy conceded the nomination and called for a more liberal party platform in what many saw as the best speech of his career. On the platform on the final day, Kennedy for the most part ignored Carter. The delegate tally at the convention was in part:
Jimmy Carter – 2,129.02 Ted Kennedy – 1,150.48 Hugh Carey – 16 William Proxmire – 10
via Wikipedia
History is a funny thing. It repeats itself.
Anyhow I missed most of it, but looked up in time to see and hear Ted Kennedy's concession speech. I still remember his words about focusing on the issues and not taking ourselves too seriously.
I've never regretted that hot summer I devoted solely to studying the constitution - the law of our land. It somehow seems appropriate, looking back, that I barely had time to watch the grainy images on that TV set all those years ago, but I remember.
How could you forget such a thing?
It's okay. People watch me study all day long. I work five part time jobs to pay for my school expenses. They watch me study and keep me company.
I hear loud noises, look up and stare at the 13 inch black and white TV set that shows images from the 1980 Democratic convention. News - any news - is like leisure to me right now, time away from working and studying. I barely know who's running. Ted Kennedy. Jimmy Carter. Close. Nasty, some say. Kennedy's behind but not dropping out.
It's hot, real hot at the Democratic convention.
Carter was still able to maintain a substantial lead even after Kennedy swept the last batch of primaries in June. Despite this, Kennedy refused to drop out, and the 1980 Democratic National Convention was one of the nastiest on record. On the penultimate day, Kennedy conceded the nomination and called for a more liberal party platform in what many saw as the best speech of his career. On the platform on the final day, Kennedy for the most part ignored Carter. The delegate tally at the convention was in part:
Jimmy Carter – 2,129.02 Ted Kennedy – 1,150.48 Hugh Carey – 16 William Proxmire – 10
via Wikipedia
History is a funny thing. It repeats itself.
Anyhow I missed most of it, but looked up in time to see and hear Ted Kennedy's concession speech. I still remember his words about focusing on the issues and not taking ourselves too seriously.
I've never regretted that hot summer I devoted solely to studying the constitution - the law of our land. It somehow seems appropriate, looking back, that I barely had time to watch the grainy images on that TV set all those years ago, but I remember.
How could you forget such a thing?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Closed captions at hulu
I was just over at Hulu watching some videos and noticed that they've added closed captioning to some of them. Just wanted to pass the word along…
Inclusion - under the mantle of grace
Have you ever felt yourself to be under the mantle of grace? We may think of this in other-worldly terms, as something waiting for us in the future, but it can happen right here, right now. But have you ever been in the presence of people who help each other, who serve each other, who don't engage in behaviors like gossiping and competition? They are able to be around each other without rancor. Dissension is handled quickly and fairly.
I have. And one thing I learned is that, far too often, all it takes to ruin that kind of spiritual synchronicity is the presence of one person who starts to make trouble. Sometimes it seems that he or she just can't stand that everyone is getting along. So she starts a rumor. Or picks on a trait someone has. Let's face it. To one person, perseverance is admirable and to another, it can be stubbornness! If we look closely enough, we can find fault with anyone.
Differences aside, we all have things in common and we are all here to help each other. Being negative toward each other, emphasizing our differences rather than our commonality, only serves to create rifts. The good news is that, however, it takes more than one person to ruin community in this way. If no one went along with the negativity, the gossip, etc, it would fall flat on its face. We all have choices to make when we encounter this kind of behavior.
Being under the mantle of grace is not something we create without effort on our part. We have to try to be better than, have to work toward going past tolerating our differences, even those things that genuinely bug us about each other. I also think that when we treat each other with more care and love, there is a grace that grows among us which makes positive choices easier to see.
It is up to all of us to create communities that are accepting of others, rather than exclusionary. And when we are tempted to be the one who finds fault, we need to ask ourselves "Is this for the good of the community? Am I questioning this for the good of the whole, or is it a personal dislike?" and search our own souls to see if we are creating disharmony that outweighs the eventual good. Are we seeing only differences, rather than commonalities? Are we overly impressed with someone's wealth or perceived status, yet think others aren't worth our time? Do we treat people differently depending on what we think we can "get" from them? How do we spend our time in community? Do we build it up- or tear it down? And how do we encourage others in positive ways- or do we?
Yes, I've been in communities where I've been cloaked in the mantle of grace. They were communities where newcomers were welcomed, where people were treated equally, where snide remarks and sarcasm were discouraged and building each other up was encouraged, where helping was a way of life, not a rarity. Sometimes they were very fleeting and lasted just a short while. And yet I feel blessed to know that it can happen - and does - every day when we remember what inclusion is about.
I have. And one thing I learned is that, far too often, all it takes to ruin that kind of spiritual synchronicity is the presence of one person who starts to make trouble. Sometimes it seems that he or she just can't stand that everyone is getting along. So she starts a rumor. Or picks on a trait someone has. Let's face it. To one person, perseverance is admirable and to another, it can be stubbornness! If we look closely enough, we can find fault with anyone.
Differences aside, we all have things in common and we are all here to help each other. Being negative toward each other, emphasizing our differences rather than our commonality, only serves to create rifts. The good news is that, however, it takes more than one person to ruin community in this way. If no one went along with the negativity, the gossip, etc, it would fall flat on its face. We all have choices to make when we encounter this kind of behavior.
Being under the mantle of grace is not something we create without effort on our part. We have to try to be better than, have to work toward going past tolerating our differences, even those things that genuinely bug us about each other. I also think that when we treat each other with more care and love, there is a grace that grows among us which makes positive choices easier to see.
It is up to all of us to create communities that are accepting of others, rather than exclusionary. And when we are tempted to be the one who finds fault, we need to ask ourselves "Is this for the good of the community? Am I questioning this for the good of the whole, or is it a personal dislike?" and search our own souls to see if we are creating disharmony that outweighs the eventual good. Are we seeing only differences, rather than commonalities? Are we overly impressed with someone's wealth or perceived status, yet think others aren't worth our time? Do we treat people differently depending on what we think we can "get" from them? How do we spend our time in community? Do we build it up- or tear it down? And how do we encourage others in positive ways- or do we?
Yes, I've been in communities where I've been cloaked in the mantle of grace. They were communities where newcomers were welcomed, where people were treated equally, where snide remarks and sarcasm were discouraged and building each other up was encouraged, where helping was a way of life, not a rarity. Sometimes they were very fleeting and lasted just a short while. And yet I feel blessed to know that it can happen - and does - every day when we remember what inclusion is about.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Walking in common
A few of my neighbors like to go for early morning walks on the weekend. They start off independently , on their own, then meet and greet each other as they travel up and down the block, some walking dogs, others swinging dumbbells in their arms, some leisurely strolling.
This morning I overheard two of my neighbors outside, laughing and talking about their week. I recognized their voices and remembered that during recent walks I've spoken with both of them.
We have walking in common.
Far too often we see the differences between those with disabilities and those without, and fail to see the commonalities. It is true that there are things I enjoy now as a quadriplegic that I would never have learned or experienced - a fact that surprises some when I say it. But I think it's important to point out that sharing the simple pleasure of a walk and meeting neighbors is very much the same.
This morning I overheard two of my neighbors outside, laughing and talking about their week. I recognized their voices and remembered that during recent walks I've spoken with both of them.
We have walking in common.
Far too often we see the differences between those with disabilities and those without, and fail to see the commonalities. It is true that there are things I enjoy now as a quadriplegic that I would never have learned or experienced - a fact that surprises some when I say it. But I think it's important to point out that sharing the simple pleasure of a walk and meeting neighbors is very much the same.
Voice recognition on vista: out of the box
I was in for quite a surprise when I tried the voice recognition feature on vista home premium.
It really works. The good news is that it does a lot more than people are talking about. First of all, the tutorial shows you how to control the desktop via voice, which is a pretty impressive feat considering the simple commands. You can have the speech recognition open up automatically when the computer starts - a big deal if you are dealing with a laptop, open programs from the start menu, play games that are included in Vista like spider solitaire , browse the web (which appears to be better in Internet explorer then fire fox), and do computer maintenance. You can literally used the speech recognition to click on any file in a program that is vista related.
This made a huge difference as I was setting up the laptop. Meredith took it out of the box, started it up and wrote in my information, then turned it over to me as soon as I could boot up the voice recognition. I took the tutorial which was about 20 minutes long . Then I began setting up the laptop by installing antivirus programs, deleting some of the bloat wear, putting in passwords etc. I was able to do every task independently on my list of set up. This eliminates my need for othe software programs I was using on the Mac platform to supplement my use of Dragon Naturally Speaking.
It simply worked. It wasn't perfect, but even right out of the box it was good enough for me to independently set up a new computer and that's pretty impressive. In fact I'm writing this with the vista voice recognition because I haven't put dragon on yet. It's 5 hours later and I haven't had to put dragon on. Although it's possible that my experience with using voice recognition eased my use of it, I'm finding Vista voice recognition to be very useful as a tool.
It really works. The good news is that it does a lot more than people are talking about. First of all, the tutorial shows you how to control the desktop via voice, which is a pretty impressive feat considering the simple commands. You can have the speech recognition open up automatically when the computer starts - a big deal if you are dealing with a laptop, open programs from the start menu, play games that are included in Vista like spider solitaire , browse the web (which appears to be better in Internet explorer then fire fox), and do computer maintenance. You can literally used the speech recognition to click on any file in a program that is vista related.
This made a huge difference as I was setting up the laptop. Meredith took it out of the box, started it up and wrote in my information, then turned it over to me as soon as I could boot up the voice recognition. I took the tutorial which was about 20 minutes long . Then I began setting up the laptop by installing antivirus programs, deleting some of the bloat wear, putting in passwords etc. I was able to do every task independently on my list of set up. This eliminates my need for othe software programs I was using on the Mac platform to supplement my use of Dragon Naturally Speaking.
It simply worked. It wasn't perfect, but even right out of the box it was good enough for me to independently set up a new computer and that's pretty impressive. In fact I'm writing this with the vista voice recognition because I haven't put dragon on yet. It's 5 hours later and I haven't had to put dragon on. Although it's possible that my experience with using voice recognition eased my use of it, I'm finding Vista voice recognition to be very useful as a tool.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Insurance company settles claims for eating disorders
Aetna has settled claims in which coverage was denied for treatment of eating disorders, in a class suit. This news story discusses one teen's journey with anorexia and how the settlement is restoring tens of thousands of dollars put out by her parents toward life saving treatment. Below is a clip from the HBO special "Thin" about anorexia.
Announcing: The Word Made Fresh
A new book by Meredith Gould entitled The Word Made Fresh: Communicating Church and Faith Today will be out in July 2008 and can be pre-ordered. From the site:....more than a how-to guide, it's a why-to guide to help readers appreciate the significance, value, and role of church communications as a vital ministry. Church communicators at every level are invited to understand the role they play in transmitting the Gospel and building community. Also included: exercises for discerning spiritual gifts, audience identity and sensitivities, and practical advice for best practices in a church setting.
From the author's website:
All church communications must be scripture-based, Gospel-inspired, and Christ-centered. They must deepen faith and build community, even when church structure and culture gets in the way. Everyone involved in this ministry must have a specific mix of spiritual gifts and secular skills.
Although The Word Made Fresh is not a handbook, I cannot resist offering practical advice. You'll find discernment exercises, a process for figuring out audience identity and sensitivities, plus a guide to great resources.
Available for preorder at Morehouse/Church Publishing, the book will be available in four weeks.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Something of Worth
a new short story over at A Different Light
When a homeless man steals a little boy's coat, the incident makes him visible in a way he's not used to.
When a homeless man steals a little boy's coat, the incident makes him visible in a way he's not used to.
Speech recognition in Vista- videos
I'll be upgrading to Vista soon and went looking for information on it and ran across this demonstration of a user trying out the voice recognition. It worked very well at times and at other times I think he had trouble since the cursor placement was off - which can confuse the program as to what/where/how etc. You'll see what I mean if you watch a little bit of the video. It certainly looks like it might be helpful for web browsing. And then check out the second video.
Here's another user playing cards with it, using it in Paint, notepad and to navigate the desktop. Quite impressive.
Here are some demos of accessibility features in Vista, in case you're like me and you haven't tried it out yet.
Here's another user playing cards with it, using it in Paint, notepad and to navigate the desktop. Quite impressive.
Here are some demos of accessibility features in Vista, in case you're like me and you haven't tried it out yet.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
In Memoriam: Harriet McBryde Johnson
Attorney and activist Harriet McBryde Johnson has passed away.
Harriet became a civil rights attorney as a result of dealing with disability issues, according to the article. She also authored a number of books, including an autobiography and a children's book. I remember her for the NY Times article encapsulating her visit with Peter Singer called Unspeakable Conversations and her Slate article entitled Not Dead At All, defending Congress' reaction to Terri Schiavo and this one: I Might be In Terri's Bed Soon.
Publisher's Weekly wrote about her autobiography, entitled Too Late to Die Young, what I will leave here as a tribute:
Johnson, who was born with a congenital neuromuscular disease, wants kids with disabilities to grow up "prepared to survive," not merely waiting to die. Equally problematic for the spirited lawyer are media heroes like the late Christopher Reeve, who revived "telethon melodrama" by displaying himself as "a disability object, presumably tragic but brave, someone to gawk at." Johnson, whose law practice specializes in disability advocacy, has a personal assistant, a motorized wheelchair and a supportive circle of family and friends that make her active, satisfying life possible. Readers inclined to feel sorry for people with disabilities, to offer them prayers or a pat on the head—Johnson has endured both—should spare them the very real burden of providing "disability awareness training to everyone who happens by," and read Johnson's feisty book instead.
via Amazon.com
She will be remembered by many as a trailblazer, a role model and a beloved friend. Her family and friends are in my prayers.
[visual description: A photo of Harriet McBryde Johnson is shown. She is seated in her wheelchair, looking forward, her right hand up to her chin, smiling.]
UPDATE: Her obit in the NY Times is here.
Autism: The Musical
Not many movies make me cry. This one did.
Autism: The Musical is about The Miracle Project, begun by the mother of a boy with autism, who wanted to use theater and music to provide children with autism and their siblings with a place they could have friendship, community and joy. The film features a number of children and their families, showing how they live day to day, juxtaposed with scenes from rehearsals, dramas within the drama of putting on a show in six months.
This short video doesn't do the film justice, nor does this short post, but this is one movie I urge everyone to take ninety minutes out of their lives to watch. Why? Because these children, and others like them, are the reason I write this blog. I know in my heart that institutionalization and exclusion are not the answer to their futures. But it will take a deeper understanding on the part of all of us, a recognition that we are one family, to achieve inclusion that works when it matters - when the road is more difficult and the path harder to see.
And prayers. Yes, it will take prayers too.
Autism: The Musical is about The Miracle Project, begun by the mother of a boy with autism, who wanted to use theater and music to provide children with autism and their siblings with a place they could have friendship, community and joy. The film features a number of children and their families, showing how they live day to day, juxtaposed with scenes from rehearsals, dramas within the drama of putting on a show in six months.
This short video doesn't do the film justice, nor does this short post, but this is one movie I urge everyone to take ninety minutes out of their lives to watch. Why? Because these children, and others like them, are the reason I write this blog. I know in my heart that institutionalization and exclusion are not the answer to their futures. But it will take a deeper understanding on the part of all of us, a recognition that we are one family, to achieve inclusion that works when it matters - when the road is more difficult and the path harder to see.
And prayers. Yes, it will take prayers too.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wheelchair: Four Blocks , a poem
I.
Sidewalk crack
Pinecones leaves
Puddle!
Splash
Treadmarks...cool
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
II.
Garbage can cover
Go around on the grass
Tree branch
Go around on the grass
Hi how are you
Good and you
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
III.
Toddler alert
Stop
Yes nice out today
He's getting so big
Leaves
Smooth sidewalk
Curbcut
Lined walkway bumpy up and down
And up and down
Curbcut
IV
Swerve for bike
Wind up on grass
Driveway.
Stop.
Car.
Go.
Bumpy sidewalk
Slow down
Smell the pink roses white daisies
Dog barking dog sniffing
Wait.
Hello how are you?
Good. She's afraid of wheels sometimes.
Back up
Sidewalk smooth
Go faster faster
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
Sidewalk crack
Pinecones leaves
Puddle!
Splash
Treadmarks...cool
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
II.
Garbage can cover
Go around on the grass
Tree branch
Go around on the grass
Hi how are you
Good and you
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
III.
Toddler alert
Stop
Yes nice out today
He's getting so big
Leaves
Smooth sidewalk
Curbcut
Lined walkway bumpy up and down
And up and down
Curbcut
IV
Swerve for bike
Wind up on grass
Driveway.
Stop.
Car.
Go.
Bumpy sidewalk
Slow down
Smell the pink roses white daisies
Dog barking dog sniffing
Wait.
Hello how are you?
Good. She's afraid of wheels sometimes.
Back up
Sidewalk smooth
Go faster faster
Curbcut
Street
Curbcut
Lightweight power chair and a new invention
Using a lightweight aluminum frame, yet another award winning 2006 prototype for a lighter power chair called Kangan Roo. Much more appealing to those of us who need to get around better inside small spaces or want more versatility on outside terrain - maybe rain proof 'em? First saw this on Wheelchair Diffusion a while back and decided to post it here:
And how about this for an invention - students come up with a wheelchair canopy....but one correction, guys, we are not ahem wheelchair bound....
Description from YouTube: Wheelchair Accessory Solutions Group unveils its first prototype of the Automatic Retractable Wheelchair Canopy at the 2007 URECA event at Stony Brook University. It is a mechanical engineering senior design project.
And how about this for an invention - students come up with a wheelchair canopy....but one correction, guys, we are not ahem wheelchair bound....
Description from YouTube: Wheelchair Accessory Solutions Group unveils its first prototype of the Automatic Retractable Wheelchair Canopy at the 2007 URECA event at Stony Brook University. It is a mechanical engineering senior design project.
And so it goes...
State TV in Russia. The comments vary from praise to ones calling Russian tv "zombie tv" at a site asking for feedback from Russians about tv that bars Putin opposers. I don't care, one says, I live better now. Another says that the media is all controlled.
As a person with a disability, I've been struck at the utter lack of coverage of disability issues during the many hours of coverage on the 24/7 news stations. So called experts get on and talk for hours about the reality of our political system as of that day - but the content isn't geared toward information. Shouldn't we be voting based on candidates' platforms? Shouldn't we be able to choose the content more?
Am I comparing our system to one where Putin supporters disappear from the air? No, of course not. At least not literally.
But then, on the other hand, doesn't our media with its pundits resemble zombie tv in many ways? Think of the repeated messages, images and the fact that content is chosen by the powers that be. Content driven by viewers? I suppose one could argue that because of advertising, it is to some extent. But if we live in a place that's so free, then why isn't the political coverage more diverse? Why is there only partial coverage of the candidates' talks and, for the most part, short clips like 'bloopers' of apologies, speculative comments, etc.? I know what they say: people want this content, they want to be entertained or they won't watch.
So we're being sold a package, like news to go. One package du jour.
It's the internet, however, that's become more of a voice for the people, with diverse voices speaking up and information available on issues that matter to you as a voter. And, perhaps, in that vein, we can see television as having become somewhat censored in our country, simply because its control is held in the hands of a few driven by economic factors- and freedom about choice of content is incomparable on the web compared to tv which has become predictably - well- zombie-like.
I know Americans are too smart to fall for all of this. But today, of all days, it needs to be said: if we forget that when we watch tv, we're being sold a product and let media control the outcome of elections, then there are a lot more similarities to concepts like state TV than we may want to acknowledge.
And now down to brass tacks for a blog about disability issues. Has there been one day, during all the time that I've seen coverage for these primaries, that deals with disability platforms and issues? No. And I can't be the only one watching who feels this way. What issues are important to you? Have you ever sat and watched this coverage and then gone out to your car and seen the gauge close to empty and sighed because you know what it's going to cost you to fill it?
Yes, we have a lot at stake in this election. I don't want to be sold a package by the media. I want to hear about issues that affect my life. I want to hear about current legislative efforts toward making independent living more possible for disabled people, about efforts toward curbing the price of medical equipment, about better housing and transportation. How many links to disability topics do I have to tv shows? Very few. And for those about legislation or politics, I can't think of any off hand.
And yet how many voters have disabilities, have loved ones or friends with disabilities? Many. Would you like to know about Senator Kennedy's proposed legislation that would help disabled people live better- carefully drafted legislation that would help us afford what we need to work and live with the extraordinary expenses that disability incurs? Check out my legislation tag below, but don't expect coverage of these issues on tv. Don't expect to see a panel discussion or clips from interviews of anyone on the topic on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC- although I'd welcome it. And don't expect the candidates to talk about topics like this because they know what's appearing on tv, they know what clips will get put on to give them coverage, their people know what the media is selling too and what issues to give attention to.
So why am I writing about state tv this week? Oh, I don't know. I do know, however, that we have alternatives, if we choose to support them, like [with]tv.
As a person with a disability, I've been struck at the utter lack of coverage of disability issues during the many hours of coverage on the 24/7 news stations. So called experts get on and talk for hours about the reality of our political system as of that day - but the content isn't geared toward information. Shouldn't we be voting based on candidates' platforms? Shouldn't we be able to choose the content more?
Am I comparing our system to one where Putin supporters disappear from the air? No, of course not. At least not literally.
But then, on the other hand, doesn't our media with its pundits resemble zombie tv in many ways? Think of the repeated messages, images and the fact that content is chosen by the powers that be. Content driven by viewers? I suppose one could argue that because of advertising, it is to some extent. But if we live in a place that's so free, then why isn't the political coverage more diverse? Why is there only partial coverage of the candidates' talks and, for the most part, short clips like 'bloopers' of apologies, speculative comments, etc.? I know what they say: people want this content, they want to be entertained or they won't watch.
So we're being sold a package, like news to go. One package du jour.
It's the internet, however, that's become more of a voice for the people, with diverse voices speaking up and information available on issues that matter to you as a voter. And, perhaps, in that vein, we can see television as having become somewhat censored in our country, simply because its control is held in the hands of a few driven by economic factors- and freedom about choice of content is incomparable on the web compared to tv which has become predictably - well- zombie-like.
I know Americans are too smart to fall for all of this. But today, of all days, it needs to be said: if we forget that when we watch tv, we're being sold a product and let media control the outcome of elections, then there are a lot more similarities to concepts like state TV than we may want to acknowledge.
And now down to brass tacks for a blog about disability issues. Has there been one day, during all the time that I've seen coverage for these primaries, that deals with disability platforms and issues? No. And I can't be the only one watching who feels this way. What issues are important to you? Have you ever sat and watched this coverage and then gone out to your car and seen the gauge close to empty and sighed because you know what it's going to cost you to fill it?
Yes, we have a lot at stake in this election. I don't want to be sold a package by the media. I want to hear about issues that affect my life. I want to hear about current legislative efforts toward making independent living more possible for disabled people, about efforts toward curbing the price of medical equipment, about better housing and transportation. How many links to disability topics do I have to tv shows? Very few. And for those about legislation or politics, I can't think of any off hand.
And yet how many voters have disabilities, have loved ones or friends with disabilities? Many. Would you like to know about Senator Kennedy's proposed legislation that would help disabled people live better- carefully drafted legislation that would help us afford what we need to work and live with the extraordinary expenses that disability incurs? Check out my legislation tag below, but don't expect coverage of these issues on tv. Don't expect to see a panel discussion or clips from interviews of anyone on the topic on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC- although I'd welcome it. And don't expect the candidates to talk about topics like this because they know what's appearing on tv, they know what clips will get put on to give them coverage, their people know what the media is selling too and what issues to give attention to.
So why am I writing about state tv this week? Oh, I don't know. I do know, however, that we have alternatives, if we choose to support them, like [with]tv.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Music and the Brain
Oliver Sacks gave the above presentation at the World Science Fair and one attendee wrote about it here. Sacks explained the effect music has on various parts of the brain, referring to patients with Alzheimers and Parkinsons whose motor disorders were positively affected by listening to music.
A state of mind
I saw a movie called a state of mind over this weekend. It was about two North Korean girls who are gymnasts who prepared for an event called the Mass Games. That is an annual event, where performers put on a show over the course of 20 days, which they prepare for in an arduous way for months.
What was interesting about the movie is that the filmmakers were granted access to North Korea. They were able to follow the girls on trips, to their homes, and obtain interviews with their relatives. Not only was the film, informative in terms of everyday life, at least to the extent that these rather privileged performers had the same life as others, but the images of governmental intrusion on every aspect, said more than any character could. Every kitchen had a state radio running and although the sound could be turned down, it was not allowed to be turned off. Furniture was an obvious short supply. One of the girls won a TV set at a gymnastic event, but there was five hours of state programming on one channel that repeated daily. Each family member received a chicken and five eggs per month
.
Juxtaposed with the stark realities were the giggles and joy. The girls showed when they traveled with their team. At one point, they played in the water, and I couldn't help but think of the release. This must be for them in light of all their training.
This 2004 documentary is worth seeing, and there's more information available online here.
(Dictated with Dragon NaturallySpeaking without editing)
What was interesting about the movie is that the filmmakers were granted access to North Korea. They were able to follow the girls on trips, to their homes, and obtain interviews with their relatives. Not only was the film, informative in terms of everyday life, at least to the extent that these rather privileged performers had the same life as others, but the images of governmental intrusion on every aspect, said more than any character could. Every kitchen had a state radio running and although the sound could be turned down, it was not allowed to be turned off. Furniture was an obvious short supply. One of the girls won a TV set at a gymnastic event, but there was five hours of state programming on one channel that repeated daily. Each family member received a chicken and five eggs per month
.
Juxtaposed with the stark realities were the giggles and joy. The girls showed when they traveled with their team. At one point, they played in the water, and I couldn't help but think of the release. This must be for them in light of all their training.
This 2004 documentary is worth seeing, and there's more information available online here.
(Dictated with Dragon NaturallySpeaking without editing)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Labeled Disabled: a film
Just heard about Labeled Disabled, a film about educating children about disabilities.
"During the last decade, classroom teacher, Maggie Doben, has worked with early childhood students, helping them to explore and understand physical disabilities. The transformation of perception is an amazing process. Each year as the lessons begin, they reveal the stereotypes and discriminatory behaviors that are imposed by society. LABELED DISABLED addresses curriculum that challenges those biases and demonstrates, through first hand experience that they are stereotypes, not reality. Watch what actually happens in the classroom as children discuss and challenge prejudice."
A trailer can be found here.
What's interesting about this curriculum is that it involves bringing in people with disabilities as speakers so the kids can ask questions and learn first hand about stereotypes. I found the opening segment in the trailer typical of my experiences with doing handicap awareness classes with third graders over the years, when given the opportunity, which is always a gift.
h/t Wendy Harbour, SDS list serv
"During the last decade, classroom teacher, Maggie Doben, has worked with early childhood students, helping them to explore and understand physical disabilities. The transformation of perception is an amazing process. Each year as the lessons begin, they reveal the stereotypes and discriminatory behaviors that are imposed by society. LABELED DISABLED addresses curriculum that challenges those biases and demonstrates, through first hand experience that they are stereotypes, not reality. Watch what actually happens in the classroom as children discuss and challenge prejudice."
A trailer can be found here.
What's interesting about this curriculum is that it involves bringing in people with disabilities as speakers so the kids can ask questions and learn first hand about stereotypes. I found the opening segment in the trailer typical of my experiences with doing handicap awareness classes with third graders over the years, when given the opportunity, which is always a gift.
h/t Wendy Harbour, SDS list serv
Wobbly Pop? Helen Killer?
I just received an email from Allegro Medical, that sells medical equipment/supplies. It's for Father's Day and the email contains an ad with rows of pictures with descriptions above them, such as Fitness Dad with a guy holding up his muscled bicep. There is also Relax O Daddy, Sore Pa, Hot Pops, Snore Daddy and Father Sr. , among a few others. You can find a text link to this at their site.
The one that caught my eye in the ad I received which had pictures was Wobbly Pop with a picture of an older man on a walker. Wobbly Pop? Is that supposed to be funny? Does this go too far and cross the line from being funny to making fun of disability?
Should a company that sells products to people with disabilities put an ad like this out there that pokes fun at disability? Are they thinking about who is going to see it - or are they doing that because it's aimed at family members for Father's Day and not to folks with disabilities (they think)?
I think sometimes in this consumer-oriented world, companies forget that "wobbly pop" who gets the ad in his mailbox might choose to buy from another place next time.
I also think that humor about disability is contextual: often it's more accepted when it comes from a member of the community itself. Otherwise, it can be seen as inappropriate and experienced as derogatory. Marketers may not have this kind of sensitivity to consumers who have disabilities because we haven't been recognized as a market - yet. I think that's changing and speaking up about these issues counts.
What do you think of this kind of humor in ads for disability products?
****
And while we're at it, what do you think of this comic book series about Helen Keller, who died 40 years ago today- that "cures" her with the aid of a fantastical device invented by Alexander Graham Bell (their language is restores her senses - ouch), then turns her into a Secret Service agent? In addition to that, she is given superhuman powers (of course) which come at a terrible price (of course).
What's it called? Helen Killer. And here's one review where the comments show why we should consider disability humor a serious topic for discussion.
The one that caught my eye in the ad I received which had pictures was Wobbly Pop with a picture of an older man on a walker. Wobbly Pop? Is that supposed to be funny? Does this go too far and cross the line from being funny to making fun of disability?
Should a company that sells products to people with disabilities put an ad like this out there that pokes fun at disability? Are they thinking about who is going to see it - or are they doing that because it's aimed at family members for Father's Day and not to folks with disabilities (they think)?
I think sometimes in this consumer-oriented world, companies forget that "wobbly pop" who gets the ad in his mailbox might choose to buy from another place next time.
I also think that humor about disability is contextual: often it's more accepted when it comes from a member of the community itself. Otherwise, it can be seen as inappropriate and experienced as derogatory. Marketers may not have this kind of sensitivity to consumers who have disabilities because we haven't been recognized as a market - yet. I think that's changing and speaking up about these issues counts.
What do you think of this kind of humor in ads for disability products?
****
And while we're at it, what do you think of this comic book series about Helen Keller, who died 40 years ago today- that "cures" her with the aid of a fantastical device invented by Alexander Graham Bell (their language is restores her senses - ouch), then turns her into a Secret Service agent? In addition to that, she is given superhuman powers (of course) which come at a terrible price (of course).
What's it called? Helen Killer. And here's one review where the comments show why we should consider disability humor a serious topic for discussion.
Michael's paintings...
Michael Jurogue Johnson is an artist who has Down Syndrome. He paints pictures of pets, houses, children and other wonderful things that you can see in the video below.
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