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.
Showing posts with label obit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obit. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, November 28, 2010
RIP Laura Hershey
Disability activist, poet and writer Laura Hershey passed away Friday after a sudden illness. She is survived by her daughter Shannon and her partner Robin Stephens.
Tributes are pouring in from many in the disability community who saw Laura as a teacher and mentor, as well as a pivotal figure who stood up for others. She had a rare and precious insight into disability issues and was able to convey that in her prolific writings.
Her writings and activism also reached many outside the disability community. She was published in the Huffington Post as well as many other major news outlets, magazines, books of poems and online. She protested against the Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethons, saying that "0ther organizations have found ways to fund-raise without demeaning the people they are trying to serve."
Laura recently did a series of videos on YouTube as part of the It's Our Story series. In this one she speaks about disability and how it's a civil rights issue.
Laura was also a poet who recently wrote about the adoption of her teenage daughter . A book of poetry called Spark Before Dark is to be published by Finishing Line Press. Her well known poem You Get Proud by Practicing speaks to the journey toward self empowerment in the face of ableism and reflects her humanitarianism. Rest in peace, Laura and thank you for your tireless work for others and the legacy you leave.
It is sunlight
When you practice seeing
Strength and beauty in everyone,
Including yourself.
It is dance
when you practice knowing
That what you do
And the way you do it
Is the right way for you
And cannot be called wrong.
All these hold
More power than weapons or money
Or lies.
All these practices bring power, and power
Makes you proud.
You get proud
By practicing.
Remember, you weren’t the one
Who made you ashamed,
But you are the one
Who can make you proud.
Just practice,
Practice until you get proud, and once you are proud,
Keep practicing so you won’t forget.
You get proud
By practicing.
Tributes are pouring in from many in the disability community who saw Laura as a teacher and mentor, as well as a pivotal figure who stood up for others. She had a rare and precious insight into disability issues and was able to convey that in her prolific writings.
Her writings and activism also reached many outside the disability community. She was published in the Huffington Post as well as many other major news outlets, magazines, books of poems and online. She protested against the Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethons, saying that "0ther organizations have found ways to fund-raise without demeaning the people they are trying to serve."
Laura recently did a series of videos on YouTube as part of the It's Our Story series. In this one she speaks about disability and how it's a civil rights issue.
Laura was also a poet who recently wrote about the adoption of her teenage daughter . A book of poetry called Spark Before Dark is to be published by Finishing Line Press. Her well known poem You Get Proud by Practicing speaks to the journey toward self empowerment in the face of ableism and reflects her humanitarianism. Rest in peace, Laura and thank you for your tireless work for others and the legacy you leave.
It is sunlight
When you practice seeing
Strength and beauty in everyone,
Including yourself.
It is dance
when you practice knowing
That what you do
And the way you do it
Is the right way for you
And cannot be called wrong.
All these hold
More power than weapons or money
Or lies.
All these practices bring power, and power
Makes you proud.
You get proud
By practicing.
Remember, you weren’t the one
Who made you ashamed,
But you are the one
Who can make you proud.
Just practice,
Practice until you get proud, and once you are proud,
Keep practicing so you won’t forget.
You get proud
By practicing.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
RIP Paul Longmore
The disability community has lost a giant. Paul Longmore, a scholar, historian, activist- and more- has passed away.
It was in Paul's books I first learned about disability studies and its implications as an emerging field. More importantly, I first saw in print what I'd learned after living with a disability for a relatively short time: that nondisabled voices often speak for those with disabilities, that, in his words (pdf file] :
"Nondisabled voices have automatically assumed authority to declare what 'disability' is and what disabled people need. Disabled people have often been considered unqualified to speak for themselves, to interpret their own experience. They have frequently been rendered voiceless."
His words had an enormous impact on my work.
Much has changed over the years, but much work remains to be done. Paul Longmore will be greatly missed. I offer my condolences to those who personally knew him.
Tributes:
Not Dead Yet
Disability Studies, Temple U
Media dis&dat
Wesley J. Smith
Medical Humanities Blog
UPDATE:
Bad Cripple
Bloggers Remember Paul Longmore
Diane Coleman Remembers Paul Longmore
More Bloggers Remembering Paul Longmore
Hannah's Heroes: Paul Longmore
It was in Paul's books I first learned about disability studies and its implications as an emerging field. More importantly, I first saw in print what I'd learned after living with a disability for a relatively short time: that nondisabled voices often speak for those with disabilities, that, in his words (pdf file] :
"Nondisabled voices have automatically assumed authority to declare what 'disability' is and what disabled people need. Disabled people have often been considered unqualified to speak for themselves, to interpret their own experience. They have frequently been rendered voiceless."
His words had an enormous impact on my work.
Much has changed over the years, but much work remains to be done. Paul Longmore will be greatly missed. I offer my condolences to those who personally knew him.
Tributes:
Not Dead Yet
Disability Studies, Temple U
Media dis&dat
Wesley J. Smith
Medical Humanities Blog
UPDATE:
Bad Cripple
Bloggers Remember Paul Longmore
Diane Coleman Remembers Paul Longmore
More Bloggers Remembering Paul Longmore
Hannah's Heroes: Paul Longmore
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Michigan disability advocate dies at 84
In 2003, Forrest Fynewever'said in an interview that:
"I used to be told that there is no sense in being given a college education because no one hires crippled kids, crippled people. Well, I fooled them. And they may have been right at the time. We had overcompensated for our disabilities, and let people know that we were people. I am a person who happens to have a disability, I am not a disabled person. ... I use a wheelchair, I occupy a wheelchair, but I am not bound to it."
Fynewever, who had polio since the age of 2, became an engineer, married and raised four children. He said his advocacy was successful because he was persistent. He grew to believe that "people with disabilities were tolerated, rather than accepted" and welcomed people approaching him.
The retired engineer worked to improve access to public transportation and parks, for curb cuts, electric doors in buildings, and for access in city hall. He died Friday at the age of 84.
"I used to be told that there is no sense in being given a college education because no one hires crippled kids, crippled people. Well, I fooled them. And they may have been right at the time. We had overcompensated for our disabilities, and let people know that we were people. I am a person who happens to have a disability, I am not a disabled person. ... I use a wheelchair, I occupy a wheelchair, but I am not bound to it."
Fynewever, who had polio since the age of 2, became an engineer, married and raised four children. He said his advocacy was successful because he was persistent. He grew to believe that "people with disabilities were tolerated, rather than accepted" and welcomed people approaching him.
The retired engineer worked to improve access to public transportation and parks, for curb cuts, electric doors in buildings, and for access in city hall. He died Friday at the age of 84.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Randy Snow, RIP
Randy Snow, a renown wheelchair athlete, passed away Thursday in El Salvador where he was giving tennis clinics. A paralympic athlete, Randy competed in three sports and won medals in each. He was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004. Randy worked for the Lakeshore Foundation, teaching sports to kids and those who recently acquired disabilities. He was 50 years old.
The Lakeshore Foundation family is profoundly saddened by this loss,” said Lakeshore President Jeff Underwood. “Randy exemplified the belief that every individual, no matter what their level of ability is able to achieve greatness. As a champion of the Paralympic movement, he soared past the public's expectations. Randy was a hero, an advocate, a spokesperson and more than anything else, a beloved friend. He will be greatly missed.” via foxalabamanews.com
I last saw Randy down at a tournament in Hilton Head some years ago, although I met him a number of times. His kindnesses to so many are the memories that stand out in my mind as well as his mantra "There is no excuse!" Every time I ran into him, I was touched by how he sincerely cared about others' quality of life. He spent his time off court teaching newly disabled athletes in a gracious and generous manner and personally came over and helped them with suggestions for adjusting their wheelchairs.
His enthusiasm and love for wheelchair sports was contagious and he affected peoples' lives on an international basis, spreading that love everywhere he went.
Rest in peace, Randy.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
In Memoriam for Sen. Edward Kennedy, WC goes dark
In Memoriam for Senator Edward Kennedy, Wheelie Catholic goes dark, as has the blog Day in Washington, where it reads:
Perhaps more than any other individual, Senator Kennedy’s commitment and dedication to the well-being of vulnerable populations has lead to the enactment of groundbreaking legislation. This has included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other laws that have changed the course of this nation and have exemplified him as the champion of the common man.
Out of respect and in honor of everything “Ted” has done for people with disabilities over his decades in the Senate, the Day in Washington blog will go dark. We have lost a great advocate; he will be missed.
Perhaps more than any other individual, Senator Kennedy’s commitment and dedication to the well-being of vulnerable populations has lead to the enactment of groundbreaking legislation. This has included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other laws that have changed the course of this nation and have exemplified him as the champion of the common man.
Out of respect and in honor of everything “Ted” has done for people with disabilities over his decades in the Senate, the Day in Washington blog will go dark. We have lost a great advocate; he will be missed.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Telling stories: McCourt as writer and teacher
As this NY Times piece says, former students of Frank McCourt are leaving tributes online about him.
Mr. McCourt began teaching in 1958, when he was 28, at Ralph R. McKee Vocational High School on Staten Island, and from 1972 to 1987 taught at Stuyvesant High School, a highly selective school, then on East 15th Street in Manhattan. His students learned from him that literature was nothing more — and nothing less — than the telling of stories.
I noticed that one of them is Marc, aka Wheelchair Kamikaze, who wrote about McCourt's death from the point of view as a former student. McCourt was his favorite teacher and he tells this wonderful anecdote:
When the class's attentions actually did turn to the study of English, we would often read Mimi Sheraton's restaurant reviews in the New York Times, the prose of which could transport Mr. McCourt to a state of rapturous joy. It wasn't until I read Angela's Ashes nearly 20 years later, that I understood his fixation on Ms. Sheraton's columns. He'd grown up quite literally starving, and the eloquent superlatives lavished on edibles by Mimi Sheraton must have put words to his own lifelong fascination with food.
Other students have left their recollections about Frank McCourt here.
Mr. McCourt began teaching in 1958, when he was 28, at Ralph R. McKee Vocational High School on Staten Island, and from 1972 to 1987 taught at Stuyvesant High School, a highly selective school, then on East 15th Street in Manhattan. His students learned from him that literature was nothing more — and nothing less — than the telling of stories.
I noticed that one of them is Marc, aka Wheelchair Kamikaze, who wrote about McCourt's death from the point of view as a former student. McCourt was his favorite teacher and he tells this wonderful anecdote:
When the class's attentions actually did turn to the study of English, we would often read Mimi Sheraton's restaurant reviews in the New York Times, the prose of which could transport Mr. McCourt to a state of rapturous joy. It wasn't until I read Angela's Ashes nearly 20 years later, that I understood his fixation on Ms. Sheraton's columns. He'd grown up quite literally starving, and the eloquent superlatives lavished on edibles by Mimi Sheraton must have put words to his own lifelong fascination with food.
Other students have left their recollections about Frank McCourt here.
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