Hi Susie,
It all depends. I live in an area where the disability rights movement
began. Those of us who involve ourselves in pushing for greater
accessibility, identify with each other and see our disabilities as just
another aspect of ourselves. In my early years in college, I never
identified with my disability, but I came to accept it and fully love
myself as I am. I just got home from a conference for people with
developmental disabilities. It was empowering and many speakers were
inspiring. We and our advocates keep pushing the envelope on what is
possible.  For instance quite a few folks with Down syndrome are getting
their AA degrees and pursuing the world of employment. This was unheard of
in the 70's or earlier. Disability can be a challenge, but it doesn't mean
we can't dream or aspire to do what we want to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[log in to unmask]
If you need a business card designed, please email me.


> [Original Message]
> From: Bobby Greer <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 10/9/2005 3:53:39 PM
> Subject: Re: New member
>
> Susie,
>
>
>         Some people identify witth others with disabililities and some
with
> the nondisabled. I have studied the psyhcology of disability and  even
> so-authored a text book on the subject. Those identifying with disbled
> person general grow up in a "disability  rich" environment such as Special
> Education, while others grow up around persons without disability and are
> interacted with as if their disability is minimal.
>
> Bobby
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[log in to unmask]>
> Newsgroups: bit.listserv.c-palsy
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 11:23 AM
> Subject: Re: New member
>
>
> > In a message dated 10/9/2005 12:03:27 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> > [log in to unmask] writes:
> >
> > Also, I  agree with Mag in that I think you're labelling yourself in a
> > negative  way.   I have CP and am in a wheelchair because I wore out
> > my hip  joints but I don't consider myself disabled and never have.
> > It's all how in  you see yourself and the world, I suppose.  If
> > someone tells me I'm  disabled, I just stop and stare and them -
> > unnerves 'em every time!  ;)
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> > I'm quite a lurker here - this may be my first post ever (at least in
> > quite
> > a while).
> >
> > I am so glad to read what you wrote above.  I grew up not believing I
was
> > disabled - or even that people with more involved conditions were - we
all
> > have
> > our own set of abilities.
> >
> > Then I moved to a certain state I won't name and began working in the
> > disability community.
> > I've had an enormous amount of trouble from people I work with for "not
> > acting like a person with a disability" and "not taking my disability
> > seriously."
> > Sometimes, I think these people (not with disabilities  themselves, but
> > with
> > family members with disabilities) get a charge out of being  the
Helpers.
> > I
> > have CP, but didn't need their help and it confused  them.  Just a
> > theory...........
> >
> > Also, I do wonder why some people with disabilities indentify with the
> > disability label and some don't.  To each his own - I just wonder what
> > makes the
> > difference.
> >
> > I had begun to think, in the back of my mind, that there is something
> > wrong
> > with my thinking. In reality, I know there are others who share my view
-
> > it's
> > just nice to read it so clearly.
> >
> > Have a great Sunday.
> > Susie