There is a genius that reverberates in the disability community. It is called adaptation. Seen in the lives of many, subtly ignored or even condemned by the mainstream as being a wrong way to do things, it is, in fact, what gives disabled people their lives.
Without adapting, we would not be mobile or productive.
Feeding oneself at a rakish angle to defy gravity means not needing help to eat. The alternative is unspeakable - waiting for assistance that is on its own terms, in its own time, runs by its own clock, decides what we eat, how much and when.
Dressing ourselves with velcro or- gasp- in a wheelchair or on a bed may look unconventional. Who knows? Who cares?
No, the disabled don't look away. We study adaptation.
Climbing into cars or over steps doesn't seem to carry the Huck Finn all American swagger in the eyes of most, but in the disability culture it does. We ask "How did you do that?" and suggest they put a YouTube video up.
We admire adaptation and those who adapt in the disability culture. Sometimes we chuckle or sigh or cry in sheer joy that one of our fellows figured out how to do something that seemed impossible - a high quadriplegic who can draw, a blind person who reads faster than the sighted, a deaf musician - because we know what it means to the person.
Society - when it suits- calls it inspirational.
We call it having a life.
2.23.2012
Assistive Devices for iPad and iPhone for People with Disabilities
Great to see the Cult of Mac covering accessible devices for the iPad and iPhone for people with disabilities.
There is a strap stylus, a mouthstick stylus and an alternative grip stylus. Click the link above to find out more.
I also found an iPad Flex Stylus which looks quite useful for quads over on etsy by the same inventor. You can purchase any of his items over there.
There is a strap stylus, a mouthstick stylus and an alternative grip stylus. Click the link above to find out more.
I also found an iPad Flex Stylus which looks quite useful for quads over on etsy by the same inventor. You can purchase any of his items over there.
2.20.2012
Social Media and Disability Ministry: Come join #chsocm chat Tuesday at 9pm EST
On Tuesday, February 21 at 9:00 PM (ET) we'll chat on #chsocm (Church and Social Media) about using social media to change perceptions about disability and provide new ways to participate. Check out my Pinterest board about Disability and Faith Groups here. An excellent Religion & Ethics piece with video about Faith Communities and Disability here.
I put up a post last week inviting people with disabilities and all those involved in faith communities and disability ministries to join us over at #chsocm on Tuesdays.
This week we'll have an opportunity to discuss issues directly related to questions such as:
How could social media help transform ministry to the disabled and/or home bound? Are some social media tools better than others? How can our favorite tools be tweaked to make them more accessible? What online accessibility issues do church communicators need to know about?
So why not show up and suggest more topics for further discussions?
Join us!
I put up a post last week inviting people with disabilities and all those involved in faith communities and disability ministries to join us over at #chsocm on Tuesdays.
This week we'll have an opportunity to discuss issues directly related to questions such as:
How could social media help transform ministry to the disabled and/or home bound? Are some social media tools better than others? How can our favorite tools be tweaked to make them more accessible? What online accessibility issues do church communicators need to know about?
So why not show up and suggest more topics for further discussions?
Join us!
2.19.2012
Scripture reflection on disability
A reader and friend sent me this link to a Scripture reflection on disability and biblical interpretation.
It discusses passages about miraculous healings, including the 'paralytic' in Mark and how scholars who are disabled are inviting new questions and challenges to conventional interpretations that directly impact issues of inclusion and exclusion.
The pastoral implications of perceiving disabilities through these lenses are evident in the ways that conditions which impact the senses, health or mobility are used as metaphors for lack of faith or moral laxity. For example how often are the terms "blind" or "deaf" unreflectively employed in preaching and teaching to imply a failure to comprehend God's Word or to respond to injustices that defile the Reign of God? Disability Studies scholars remind biblical interpreters that "disability" is an intricate part of a complex matrix of individual and social identity. Whether intentionally or not, metaphors communicate exclusion and inclusion.
The reflection also discusses the issue of the role of miracles in erasing differences, raising questions as to whether our interpretations "of sacred texts betray an option for physical and mental "wholeness" as hidden criteria for the imago Dei?" despite teaching that all are created in the sacred image of God.
I love the ending where it notes that the paralytic and his friends were never seeking healing, but a means of access to join the crowd and hear Jesus preach.
This is something, I would hope, we all can reflect on.
It discusses passages about miraculous healings, including the 'paralytic' in Mark and how scholars who are disabled are inviting new questions and challenges to conventional interpretations that directly impact issues of inclusion and exclusion.
The pastoral implications of perceiving disabilities through these lenses are evident in the ways that conditions which impact the senses, health or mobility are used as metaphors for lack of faith or moral laxity. For example how often are the terms "blind" or "deaf" unreflectively employed in preaching and teaching to imply a failure to comprehend God's Word or to respond to injustices that defile the Reign of God? Disability Studies scholars remind biblical interpreters that "disability" is an intricate part of a complex matrix of individual and social identity. Whether intentionally or not, metaphors communicate exclusion and inclusion.
The reflection also discusses the issue of the role of miracles in erasing differences, raising questions as to whether our interpretations "of sacred texts betray an option for physical and mental "wholeness" as hidden criteria for the imago Dei?" despite teaching that all are created in the sacred image of God.
I love the ending where it notes that the paralytic and his friends were never seeking healing, but a means of access to join the crowd and hear Jesus preach.
This is something, I would hope, we all can reflect on.
Join me on Facebook
I created a page over on Facebook for Wheelie catholic. You can find it here.
I think it'll be a great way to interact that goes beyond the comments here, to exchange information and resources and have discussions. It's still under construction but up and running!
Remember you can also find me on Twitter @rampracer and if you check the sidebar over to your right, there's a twitter stream.
I think it'll be a great way to interact that goes beyond the comments here, to exchange information and resources and have discussions. It's still under construction but up and running!
Remember you can also find me on Twitter @rampracer and if you check the sidebar over to your right, there's a twitter stream.
2.17.2012
I'm going to live dangerously...
...And dictate this blog post directly into blogger.com.
Usually I dictate into a word file so that I don't accidentally publish the post prior to its completion.
I know this is a big risk, putting the entire reputation of this blog at stake.
Seriously, however, I've been spending time checking out alternatives for assistive devices for quadriplegics and others with hand and arm impairment. I found many products with a huge price range, depending on the technology ( low or high). A lot of time I have found that the price has nothing to do with what I get out of a product. It has a lot more to do with what I put into learning and training.
I put together a board on the site Pinterest called Assistive Tech Lust.
Feel free to take a look at it, comment on any of the products you see, repin/ like , or whatever. I'm thinking of putting together 0ther boards and if you have any ideas for what might be helpful let me know below in the comments or over on Pinterest.
And look at that- I managed to dictate the whole post without saying publish post.
Usually I dictate into a word file so that I don't accidentally publish the post prior to its completion.
I know this is a big risk, putting the entire reputation of this blog at stake.
Seriously, however, I've been spending time checking out alternatives for assistive devices for quadriplegics and others with hand and arm impairment. I found many products with a huge price range, depending on the technology ( low or high). A lot of time I have found that the price has nothing to do with what I get out of a product. It has a lot more to do with what I put into learning and training.
I put together a board on the site Pinterest called Assistive Tech Lust.
Feel free to take a look at it, comment on any of the products you see, repin/ like , or whatever. I'm thinking of putting together 0ther boards and if you have any ideas for what might be helpful let me know below in the comments or over on Pinterest.
And look at that- I managed to dictate the whole post without saying publish post.
2.15.2012
More on radical love- the gift of interdependency
One of the things about radical love is that it allows many gifts into our lives that weren't present before. These gifts were available to us but blocked because of our preconceptions and assumptions about others and even about ourselves.
One of these gifts is interdependence. I've written about this before. It involves a mutual sharing and exchange, wherein each person is enhanced by both giving and receiving. On the spiritual level, I feel this is how things are meant to be and I strive to have interdependent relationships whenever possible, although to some extent that is dependent on the other person.
I recall years ago when a friend sent her teenage son over to volunteer to help me with some physical tasks. He lacked confidence because he was dealing with a learning disability in school. The minute he arrived I set him to work on my wheelchair which was badly in need of tinkering. He was very handy and although he was only about 14 years old he immediately became "in charge" around here of a number of tasks that I physically couldn't do. Not only did he perform them well, but he would check up on whether items needed maintenance, something I cannot get paid employee adults to do at times. If he heard a squeak in my wheels, out came the screwdriver. He was also flexible. If he saw something needed to be done, he went and did it. I immediately gained respect not only for his work ethic, but for this young man's character and his kind, giving nature. I told his mother she had nothing to worry about and that he was a far better helper than most adults!
In return, I gave this young man some tutoring. He went on to graduate high school and find a job and eventually things he loved to do. The interdependence of our relationship helped both of us, not just because of what we helped each other to do by sharing skills, but what we learned from each other. He told me that if I wasn't going to make excuses because things were hard then he wouldn't either. I told him to concentrate on what he could do well rather than dwelling on what he could not. Although it's fine to encourage someone to work on skills, it's really important to emphasize what they are good at.
I don't believe either of us would've benefited as much if it had been just a dependent relationship. I think he would've grown to see me as helpless perhaps even reinforcing the idea that his learning disability should be seen as a black-and-white situation. He could learn in school, although in different ways sometimes. This was no different than the way I do things with assistive devices. I showed him my voice recognition software and explained that I wouldn't get much done without it. This made him more willing to try new ways of approaching learning in school.
But what about radical love? My point is that we all have something to give. Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that people with disabilities can only take, not give. They don't think people with disabilities can volunteer in their faith organizations. They may be thinking that including them just creates more work and forget that people with disabilities each have their own gifts, hidden talents that sometimes remain that way because no one gives them the opportunity to show them. Radical love is about this kind of interdependence which means there is a give-and-take. There is and must be mutual love and respect.
There is always the giving of love itself, which is priceless. All of us do that at many different levels. It is opening ourselves and our souls up to realizing that which makes us eager to embrace a new form of community in which our spiritual and physical needs are met as all of us participate to our fullest.
One of these gifts is interdependence. I've written about this before. It involves a mutual sharing and exchange, wherein each person is enhanced by both giving and receiving. On the spiritual level, I feel this is how things are meant to be and I strive to have interdependent relationships whenever possible, although to some extent that is dependent on the other person.
I recall years ago when a friend sent her teenage son over to volunteer to help me with some physical tasks. He lacked confidence because he was dealing with a learning disability in school. The minute he arrived I set him to work on my wheelchair which was badly in need of tinkering. He was very handy and although he was only about 14 years old he immediately became "in charge" around here of a number of tasks that I physically couldn't do. Not only did he perform them well, but he would check up on whether items needed maintenance, something I cannot get paid employee adults to do at times. If he heard a squeak in my wheels, out came the screwdriver. He was also flexible. If he saw something needed to be done, he went and did it. I immediately gained respect not only for his work ethic, but for this young man's character and his kind, giving nature. I told his mother she had nothing to worry about and that he was a far better helper than most adults!
In return, I gave this young man some tutoring. He went on to graduate high school and find a job and eventually things he loved to do. The interdependence of our relationship helped both of us, not just because of what we helped each other to do by sharing skills, but what we learned from each other. He told me that if I wasn't going to make excuses because things were hard then he wouldn't either. I told him to concentrate on what he could do well rather than dwelling on what he could not. Although it's fine to encourage someone to work on skills, it's really important to emphasize what they are good at.
I don't believe either of us would've benefited as much if it had been just a dependent relationship. I think he would've grown to see me as helpless perhaps even reinforcing the idea that his learning disability should be seen as a black-and-white situation. He could learn in school, although in different ways sometimes. This was no different than the way I do things with assistive devices. I showed him my voice recognition software and explained that I wouldn't get much done without it. This made him more willing to try new ways of approaching learning in school.
But what about radical love? My point is that we all have something to give. Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that people with disabilities can only take, not give. They don't think people with disabilities can volunteer in their faith organizations. They may be thinking that including them just creates more work and forget that people with disabilities each have their own gifts, hidden talents that sometimes remain that way because no one gives them the opportunity to show them. Radical love is about this kind of interdependence which means there is a give-and-take. There is and must be mutual love and respect.
There is always the giving of love itself, which is priceless. All of us do that at many different levels. It is opening ourselves and our souls up to realizing that which makes us eager to embrace a new form of community in which our spiritual and physical needs are met as all of us participate to our fullest.
2.14.2012
Radical love
I was reading an e-mail this week from someone who's worked in the field of social work with disabled folks for many years. She was talking about including people with disabilities at church and how that sometimes meant taking a radical approach, such as challenging the assumption that is difficult to include those with disabilities for certain reasons.
I've heard these reasons over the years. Things such as having disabled people around can make some folks uncomfortable or not knowing where to physically "put people" or not knowing how to act "around them". The radical approach is to name it and deal with it.
Love is radical.
Today on Valentine's Day we are surrounded by pink hearts, flowers, candy, cards and all the trappings of a holiday. I have my own pile here of cards from loved ones. Nothing wrong with that.
I believe however that we're called to love each other in a more radical way. It means loving those who may not love us back, who may challenge our comfortable ways, who may stretch our perceptions, our resources and our hearts. Practicing this kind of love always makes us grow in unexpected ways spiritually. This kind of love spreads. It's contagious. It doesn't stop to think about excluding anyone and it also doesn't begrudge anyone having a wonderful, romantic relationship. There is always more than enough love to go around in this type of community, because everyone is included, cared for and cared about.
So I know what this social worker was talking about. I agree with her 100 percent. Creating inclusive faith communities requires radical love. I've seen it happen. May it continue to grow.
I've heard these reasons over the years. Things such as having disabled people around can make some folks uncomfortable or not knowing where to physically "put people" or not knowing how to act "around them". The radical approach is to name it and deal with it.
Love is radical.
Today on Valentine's Day we are surrounded by pink hearts, flowers, candy, cards and all the trappings of a holiday. I have my own pile here of cards from loved ones. Nothing wrong with that.
I believe however that we're called to love each other in a more radical way. It means loving those who may not love us back, who may challenge our comfortable ways, who may stretch our perceptions, our resources and our hearts. Practicing this kind of love always makes us grow in unexpected ways spiritually. This kind of love spreads. It's contagious. It doesn't stop to think about excluding anyone and it also doesn't begrudge anyone having a wonderful, romantic relationship. There is always more than enough love to go around in this type of community, because everyone is included, cared for and cared about.
So I know what this social worker was talking about. I agree with her 100 percent. Creating inclusive faith communities requires radical love. I've seen it happen. May it continue to grow.
2.12.2012
Jill Kinmont Boothe passes away
I read last night about the death of Jill Kinmont Boothe, who acquired quadriplegia as a result of a skiing accident.
She was featured in several movies, including The Other Side of the Mountain. I remember the potato chip scene, as I refer to it with friends, where Jill is in the rehab center after a skiing accident and her boyfriend, who is also a skier, comes to visit her. He expects her to be able to walk, so when she shows him the progress she made ( which is being able to grasp potato chips out of a bowl), he leaves her. I've had a few potato chips scenes in my life too.
I've always admired her for her persistence, years ago prior to the American with Disabilities Act, in seeking an education and employment. It wasn't easy. She typed papers out on typewriters with a typing stick, letter by letter. She lost her fiancé and a childhood boyfriend shortly after her accident. Despite this, she was determined to be productive and to become a teacher.
Colleges turned her down. When she did get a degree, school districts refused to hire her as a teacher.
I remember her words toward a school district physician who spoke about the tragedy of her disability. Her response was that "the only tragedy is if you won't hire me because of this injury".
She was right. People mix up cause and effect with disabilities all the time. They tell us that we can't do things and then offer sympathy for a "wasted life". I say they can keep their sympathy. It rings false and most people with disabilities would rather have a chance to prove themselves. I can't speak for everyone with a disability, but that's how I feel.
Jill passed away in her 70s after a long and productive life.
I thank Jill for breaking barriers before me.
She was featured in several movies, including The Other Side of the Mountain. I remember the potato chip scene, as I refer to it with friends, where Jill is in the rehab center after a skiing accident and her boyfriend, who is also a skier, comes to visit her. He expects her to be able to walk, so when she shows him the progress she made ( which is being able to grasp potato chips out of a bowl), he leaves her. I've had a few potato chips scenes in my life too.
I've always admired her for her persistence, years ago prior to the American with Disabilities Act, in seeking an education and employment. It wasn't easy. She typed papers out on typewriters with a typing stick, letter by letter. She lost her fiancé and a childhood boyfriend shortly after her accident. Despite this, she was determined to be productive and to become a teacher.
Colleges turned her down. When she did get a degree, school districts refused to hire her as a teacher.
I remember her words toward a school district physician who spoke about the tragedy of her disability. Her response was that "the only tragedy is if you won't hire me because of this injury".
She was right. People mix up cause and effect with disabilities all the time. They tell us that we can't do things and then offer sympathy for a "wasted life". I say they can keep their sympathy. It rings false and most people with disabilities would rather have a chance to prove themselves. I can't speak for everyone with a disability, but that's how I feel.
Jill passed away in her 70s after a long and productive life.
I thank Jill for breaking barriers before me.
2.11.2012
PaperPort notes app
I downloaded the PaperPort notes app by Nuance yesterday and am using it on my iPad. It offers a variety of ways to enter notes quickly, including voice recognition, using a keyboard or handwriting. You can also annotate. I'm using the voice-recognition mostly and am very pleased with its efficient way of taking short notes during the day.
It's easy to create new pages to separate notes by different topics. For example I made a to do list, a page of reading notes, and some notes while I was on a phone conversation. The dictation was accurate, quick and it was easy to correct the few mistakes I ran into.
The app was free and I recommend it to anyone looking for a 24/7 assistant.
It's easy to create new pages to separate notes by different topics. For example I made a to do list, a page of reading notes, and some notes while I was on a phone conversation. The dictation was accurate, quick and it was easy to correct the few mistakes I ran into.
The app was free and I recommend it to anyone looking for a 24/7 assistant.
2.10.2012
Aqua, a short film by a 17 year old
The teen filmmaker says that this is a project done over the past year and a half, which began with the simple ideas of a cat, fear and waking up surrounded by water. It turned into a wonderful animated short film about hope. Remember the name Gints Zilbalodis, filmmaker.
Aqua from Gints Zilbalodis on Vimeo.
2.09.2012
Dark Knight of the Soul
He rides high in his saddle, this
Young knight, kicking dirt off his boots
From villages full of peasants he finds
Unworthy of his visage.
"Your name, sir?"
A quivering child asks at the inn
"Which of the heroic knights are you?"
He slaps her away and sits by the fire
Near a minstrel singing
Tales of far away lands and brave knights
With deeds well known
Nay, no mention of his name
Which plagues him as he lays down each night under the stars
Staring up to the heavens as the years go by
Wondering when his glorious moment will come.
He rides into forests challenging wolves
Hoping for mysterious dreaded beasts or damsels in distress
Around each copse of trees
But ignores the plight of the peasants
Despite floods and famine and attacks by intruders
No matter how they beg
It is none of his affair.
He dons his armor each daybreak
Glinting from polish, nary a dent on it sadly
No blood, no gore, no mark
Pure as the day the blacksmith made it
Mounts his steed and sets out to find work worthy of his knighthood
But there is little to do it seems
His fellow knights have beat him to it
Wearing the tokens of their damsels
And earning special favor with the king
While he must be content with tournament wins
And patiently waiting for an act worthy of his prowess
Until the day - finally - he hears a scream in the forest
And turns to see the blade of a villain across the neck of a lady
Who is weeping - just as he imagined a damsel in distress would.
He charges toward them, his helmet plate down
His weapon leveled and cries "Release her, sir or suffer the perils of dismemberment"
(A line he rehearsed as a schoolboy but perhaps should have tweaked)
The villain releases the damsel and turns toward the knight, sword raised
"Your name, sir?" he asks
"I do not recognize you"
The knight stops suddenly, realizing the villain is the king's brother
And with that rides off, another heroic deed denied
The knight lives a long and healthy life
Patrolling the uneventful forest full of squirrels and rabbits
No beasts or ghosts to be found
Eventually he dies of gout
In an inn where no one recognizes him
Where tales of brave deeds are sung
Of other knights
Much luckier than him.
Young knight, kicking dirt off his boots
From villages full of peasants he finds
Unworthy of his visage.
"Your name, sir?"
A quivering child asks at the inn
"Which of the heroic knights are you?"
He slaps her away and sits by the fire
Near a minstrel singing
Tales of far away lands and brave knights
With deeds well known
Nay, no mention of his name
Which plagues him as he lays down each night under the stars
Staring up to the heavens as the years go by
Wondering when his glorious moment will come.
He rides into forests challenging wolves
Hoping for mysterious dreaded beasts or damsels in distress
Around each copse of trees
But ignores the plight of the peasants
Despite floods and famine and attacks by intruders
No matter how they beg
It is none of his affair.
He dons his armor each daybreak
Glinting from polish, nary a dent on it sadly
No blood, no gore, no mark
Pure as the day the blacksmith made it
Mounts his steed and sets out to find work worthy of his knighthood
But there is little to do it seems
His fellow knights have beat him to it
Wearing the tokens of their damsels
And earning special favor with the king
While he must be content with tournament wins
And patiently waiting for an act worthy of his prowess
Until the day - finally - he hears a scream in the forest
And turns to see the blade of a villain across the neck of a lady
Who is weeping - just as he imagined a damsel in distress would.
He charges toward them, his helmet plate down
His weapon leveled and cries "Release her, sir or suffer the perils of dismemberment"
(A line he rehearsed as a schoolboy but perhaps should have tweaked)
The villain releases the damsel and turns toward the knight, sword raised
"Your name, sir?" he asks
"I do not recognize you"
The knight stops suddenly, realizing the villain is the king's brother
And with that rides off, another heroic deed denied
The knight lives a long and healthy life
Patrolling the uneventful forest full of squirrels and rabbits
No beasts or ghosts to be found
Eventually he dies of gout
In an inn where no one recognizes him
Where tales of brave deeds are sung
Of other knights
Much luckier than him.
2.08.2012
Why you should be attending #ChSocM
A story over at Disaboom written by a rec therapist who married a female paraplegic caught my attention this morning after yet another lively discussion in the Church and Social Media group on twitter last evening at the 9pm EST weekly Tuesday chat. (#ChSocM) We discussed Valentine's Day, love and how churches can use social media to address relationship and faith issues, among other things.
One of the things I noticed was, although folks spoke about meeting the needs of seniors, widows, singles and divorcees, there was little, if anything, said about those with disabilities or illness and issues and needs they may want addressed in a pastoral context or via social media on relationship issues. I'm also noticing how absent folks with disabilities are in the group and am posting about it hoping that more show up. (That's #ChSocM Tuesday evenings 9PM EST in case you didn't catch it). After all, the discussion reflects the views of those who are participating. I'm thinking that those involved in disability ministries have an opportunity to make an important impact.
Social media is just a tool. How can people create content without information or hearing peoples' experiences?
I know many disabled folks who marry. I know folks with illnesses, chronic or short term, who date, fall in love and are married. Disabled folks, whether single or married, face the same issues - and a few others - which might be addressed in some faith congregations by both clergy and lay people, but here's the thing- in some faith congregations folks may not be used to being around disabled folks and do things such as treating young people with disabilities like seniors or asexual. That's just an example- I've heard of other experiences such as being greeted with comments like "You're able to have sex?"
Getting back to the para and the rec therapist- he talks about how his cultural view of disabled folks changed by being around them, including seeing the person, not the mobility equipment. This led to dating and then taking his future bride home to meet the parents and marriage. I've heard this described before by others - how being around disabled folks changes perceptions. Makes sense, doesn't it, just as with any other group of people , that meeting individuals carries an opportunity to change assumptions. No matter how much we throw around "person first" language or phrases like "see past the disability", the bottom line is that until people are included, no one gets to know each other. That kind of learning is experiential.
For those congregations and faith organizations that are inclusive and do a great job treating members of their congregation, disabled and nondisabled, with care and love and are able to address their needs, I say congratulations. Show up at #ChSocM and share what you know. For those that have a way to go, I write this hoping that it begins a discussion. There are those in #ChSocM who have approached me with questions already about how their faith communities could be more inclusive. I'd like to see more participation by those in disability ministries and disabled folks.
Once again, that's #ChSocM Tuesday evenings 9PM EST in case you didn't catch it. See you.
One of the things I noticed was, although folks spoke about meeting the needs of seniors, widows, singles and divorcees, there was little, if anything, said about those with disabilities or illness and issues and needs they may want addressed in a pastoral context or via social media on relationship issues. I'm also noticing how absent folks with disabilities are in the group and am posting about it hoping that more show up. (That's #ChSocM Tuesday evenings 9PM EST in case you didn't catch it). After all, the discussion reflects the views of those who are participating. I'm thinking that those involved in disability ministries have an opportunity to make an important impact.
Social media is just a tool. How can people create content without information or hearing peoples' experiences?
I know many disabled folks who marry. I know folks with illnesses, chronic or short term, who date, fall in love and are married. Disabled folks, whether single or married, face the same issues - and a few others - which might be addressed in some faith congregations by both clergy and lay people, but here's the thing- in some faith congregations folks may not be used to being around disabled folks and do things such as treating young people with disabilities like seniors or asexual. That's just an example- I've heard of other experiences such as being greeted with comments like "You're able to have sex?"
Getting back to the para and the rec therapist- he talks about how his cultural view of disabled folks changed by being around them, including seeing the person, not the mobility equipment. This led to dating and then taking his future bride home to meet the parents and marriage. I've heard this described before by others - how being around disabled folks changes perceptions. Makes sense, doesn't it, just as with any other group of people , that meeting individuals carries an opportunity to change assumptions. No matter how much we throw around "person first" language or phrases like "see past the disability", the bottom line is that until people are included, no one gets to know each other. That kind of learning is experiential.
For those congregations and faith organizations that are inclusive and do a great job treating members of their congregation, disabled and nondisabled, with care and love and are able to address their needs, I say congratulations. Show up at #ChSocM and share what you know. For those that have a way to go, I write this hoping that it begins a discussion. There are those in #ChSocM who have approached me with questions already about how their faith communities could be more inclusive. I'd like to see more participation by those in disability ministries and disabled folks.
Once again, that's #ChSocM Tuesday evenings 9PM EST in case you didn't catch it. See you.
2.07.2012
14 Years Post Spinal Cord Injury - Ike's Story
An ex-rugby player injured in a game talks about his adjustment to living with a spinal cord injury, family dynamics, and his road toward getting back into the community with a job through education.
2.06.2012
More on Hospitality - How Cliques Act as a Barrier
Hospitality is one of those topics that applies universally, whether involving disabled or nondisabled people.
Cliques, for example, serve as a barrier to hospitality in churches, clubs and other places. According to this article, there are four ways that happens with cliques:
Cliques, for example, serve as a barrier to hospitality in churches, clubs and other places. According to this article, there are four ways that happens with cliques:
- don’t notice church visitors,
- friendly with each other,
- don’t care about welcoming outsiders,
- too busy fellowshipping with themselves.
Outsiders remain outsiders while the energies of members run toward maintaining the clique itself, rather than practicing welcoming behavior, despite the fact that its often contrary to the group's teachings.
Take this a step further and apply it to a disabled visitor who may need accommodations or assistance. If members are so busy fellowshipping with themselves, they never learn what those needs are and certainly can't meet them. This exclusive type of behavior becomes more of a barrier toward inclusion than access issues, which, by the way, don't stop just because your church or organization provides a ramp.
2.05.2012
Thank you, kind sir
I heard a commotion behind me. Apparently my Drink-Aide (a large water bottle attached to the back of my wheelchair for hydration) was leaking onto the floor. Two women were pointing, starting to shout that water was going all over the place.
"You need to fix it," one said loudly.
As if I was going to suddenly be able to jump out of the power chair, walk around it, grab the bottle and right it, I thought.
"I can't fix it myself," I explained. "I need help with it." Being paralyzed, there really wasn't a whole lot I could do about this happening behind me.
It seemed we were at an impasse. Neither woman moved and I - couldn't.
A man walked up behind me and righted the Drink-Aide, stopping the "flood". "It just got loose," he said. Then he positioned the bottle so I could drink out of it.
Disaster averted. He left before I could properly thank him.
Thank you, kind sir.
"You need to fix it," one said loudly.
As if I was going to suddenly be able to jump out of the power chair, walk around it, grab the bottle and right it, I thought.
"I can't fix it myself," I explained. "I need help with it." Being paralyzed, there really wasn't a whole lot I could do about this happening behind me.
It seemed we were at an impasse. Neither woman moved and I - couldn't.
A man walked up behind me and righted the Drink-Aide, stopping the "flood". "It just got loose," he said. Then he positioned the bottle so I could drink out of it.
Disaster averted. He left before I could properly thank him.
Thank you, kind sir.
2.04.2012
Cats and voice recognition
My cats have entirely different attitudes toward voice recognition. Riley tries to detach the headset for my laptop. Kady sits on the bed blinking at me and watches as I talk to the computer. We humans are fascinating.
I switch from dragon naturally speaking to windows speech recognition depending on the task. There's no doubt that dragon is better for straight dictation, but some of the navigation features of windows speech recognition are superior. I don't have dragon 11 yet, so maybe that will change.
I'm charging my wireless headphones and Riley is winning the battle here detaching the corded headsets I'm using so off I go.
I switch from dragon naturally speaking to windows speech recognition depending on the task. There's no doubt that dragon is better for straight dictation, but some of the navigation features of windows speech recognition are superior. I don't have dragon 11 yet, so maybe that will change.
I'm charging my wireless headphones and Riley is winning the battle here detaching the corded headsets I'm using so off I go.
2.02.2012
Teen uses VGo robot to attend class
A New Castle teen with spina bifida who can't attend class due to a seizure disorder uses a VGo robot, shown in the above video, to participate in class from home. Chris controls the robot via remote, moving it through the hallways, and is able to see his teachers, the blackboard and classrooms. A teacher sits alongside him during the day to assist him and he's able to interact with his classmates and friends via the VGo.
Free event in Princeton NJ area for parents of kids with disabiilities
Side by Side ministry at Montgomery Evangelical Free Church, in partnership with Princeton HealthCare System, will be sponsoring “The Joys and Challenges of Parenting Children with Special Needs” on March 20, 2012, from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM at Montgomery Evangelical Free Church, 246 Griggstown Rd., Belle Mead, NJ 08502. Join us for this FREE informative program led by Paula G. Zollner, MD, FAAP, board certified in pediatrics. Following her presentation, a panel of parents of special needs children will share some of their personal experiences. Registration required. To register, please call 888.897.8979 or go to www.princetonhcs.org
2.01.2012
Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
mp3's are now up for the 2011 and 2010 Summer Institute of Theology and Disability, including presentations on many topics for faith groups, such as inclusion and accessibility.
Information for 2012 below:
2012 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
Sponsored by The Boggs Center and the Bethesda Institute
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
July 16-20, 2012
Information for 2012 below:
2012 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability
Sponsored by The Boggs Center and the Bethesda Institute
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL
July 16-20, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Share it
