Now, we're getting somewhere!  Yes, it's ableism. I also call it the
Supercripple complex.  This society gears everything toward the perfectly
able-bodied so much that all other physical states are considered
abnormal.  Of course, we lesser beings buy into it hook, line, and
sinker, which causes us much psychological and physical distress in our
effort to meet norms and standards.  My argument is against the
compulsion to do just that so much.  Why not CELEBRATE spasticity as good
and beautiful?  Why should we always deride and deprecate ourselves for
being who we are because we are not able-bodied?  Disability is NOT to be
overcome.  Rather, it is to be lived with, valued, and appreciated.
SOLDIERS, WE ARE DISABLED, FOR GOD'S SAKE!  Get it?

...I like my herring red in cream sauce on crackers.  I guess it's the
stubborn Scandinavian part of me.  :-)

"I'm proud to be disabled because at least I know I'm free..."


Matt

On Fri, 9 Nov 2001, Michael H Collis wrote:

> Bobby, Joanne and Mag,
>
> I think Matt is trying to say that the reason doctors, and to a large
> extent, people in general have a negative concept of spasticity is
> because spasticity isn't "normal."  Most spastic c.p.er's require a
> wheelchair to get around, further aggravating the negativity.  As I've
> pointed out, walking is very overrated.  I don't think with my feet...
>
> Human beings being what we are, we really don't like differences in
> other people or ourselves.  When we perceive something is other than the
> norm, our tendency is to try to bring it to the norm (i.e. be
> ablebodied), be it through surgery, drugs, or what have you.  I like
> Betty's term for this. She calls it "ABLEISM."   That's not to say we
> can't improve through therapy, assistive tech, and/or other ways, as
> long as we realize we may never be at the norm.
>
> mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bobby G. Greer, Ph.
> D.
> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 1:11 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Drugs....
>
> So, why get educated, why go intp rehab engineering. If you REALLY
> accept
> yourself and other people with disabilities, using your semantic
> interpretation of "acceptance"; aren't you being hypocritical. If I can
> not
> do something and I get someone to develope a device to assist to do it,
> am I
> not "not accepting the disability"????
>
> Bobby
>