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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