Linda,

There are other "risks" that people with disabilities have long been either
denied the right to participate in, or at least strongly discouraged from
doing.  I hope by the time Case is old enough to get married or start a
family, they won't be an issue, but as of today they are.  With the work
you've done with abused women, I'm sure you're familiar with the forced
sterilization of people (mostly women) with disabilities that was done to
eliminate that "risk."  When Janet and I were trying to start a family, we
encountered some family members and professionals who either actively
discouraged us, or asked questions that made it apparent that they were
opposed to the idea.

 I think the term "risk" is used to "push the envelope."  "Full
participation," to me, seems too mild for someone who wants to go whitewater
rafting or skydiving.  My sister considers full participation to be sitting
in the ski lodge with a "Hot Schnaclate" (Hot chocolate and Schnapps), while
I'd much rather be out on the slopes, and if I turn the bi-ski over during
the day once, I feel like I'm testing the limits of my abilities.


On 10/25/07, Linda Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Agreed. I think what they are doing is great but the choice of
> wording maybe not the best - I don't know full participation or
> something but risk well it kinda sets me off - It's one of my peeves
> - people who don't consider how their risky behavior affects others.
> I am all for people with disabilities participating as fully as
> possible. As you know here in Hawaii we are helping to get everyone
> into more water sports to enjoy the ocean. I do not consider that
> risky behavior, just good fun with proper safeguards.
> By the way Case and I finally convinced his dad that it's ok to write
> the CP list occasionally so now I can share what you guys think with
> him, not everything but some stuff. He thinks a lot about what it is
> going to be like to be a grown up and have a family and both of us
> like the list a lot even tho I sometimes don't read it when I am
> overwhelmed with work like now.
>
> At 12:22 PM 10/25/2007, you wrote:
> >Linda et al,
> >
> >The risk taking outlined in "Right to Risk" doesn't seem to me to be the
> >extreme variety seen by motorcycle riders without helmets, or even
> skydivers
> >or hang gliders.  From what I read on the site, it's about people with
> >disabilities being given the opportunity to participate in activities
> many
> >non-disabled people would consider tame.
> >
> >When I first started working in the disabilities field (nearly 20 years
> ago)
> >one of the concepts that we reinforced for the people we served was the
> >"Dignity of Risk."  This didn't mean doing things that were inherently
> >dangerous, or doing things without the appropriate safeguards in place
> >(helmets, life jackets, backup parachutes), but it did entail allowing
> >people with disabilities to participate fully in life, even if it meant
> >participating in an activity (whitewater rafting, skydiving, etc.) that
> >others might consider "risky."
> >
> >While I agree that the money spent to treat and rehabilitate people who
> >unneccessarily put themselves at risk by not using appropriate protective
> >equipment could be better spent, I don't think that the rights of people
> to
> >participate in these activities *with appropriate safeguards,* should be
> >limited.  Here's a link or three on "Dignity of Risk."
> >
> >http://members.tripod.com/~imaware/dignity.html
> >
> >http://tcds.edb.utexas.edu/TSDPT/T%20Nerney%20Handouts.htm
> >
> >http://www.diligio.com/dignity_of_risk.htm
> >
> >The "Teachings of Jon" looks like a good piece, but I'm kind of afraid it
> >might be too "Shmaltzy" for lack of a better word.  For people who are
> >unfamiliar with what people with disabilities can accomplish, it might be
> >OK, though.
> >
> >
> >
> > > At 08:25 AM 10/24/2007, you wrote:
> > > >Hi yawl!
> > > >
> > > >Hey check out these to films.  I think this will be some great
> > > >TV!!  I cant find the days-times for these, but I think they're
> > > >on PBS sometime tonight Wednesday.
> > > >
> > > >See ya-Gary
> > > >
> > > >http://www.righttorisk.org/
> > > >
> > > >http://www.teachingsofjon.com/
> > > >
> > > --
> > > Kendall
> > >
> > > An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)
> > >
> > > The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
> > > persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all
> progress
> > > depends on the unreasonable man.
> > >
> > > -George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950
> >
> >-----------------------
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> >
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>
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-- 


Kendall

An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
depends on the unreasonable man.

-George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950

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