I don't introduce myself to other people that I just meet in everyday life
that I'm a person with a disability.  Although , my dad sometimes does.

Kathy





----- Original Message -----
From: Denise D. Goodman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 10:59 AM
Subject: CP 12 Step?


> Trisha Said, " Denise, I am curious - why is it necessary to mention your
> disablity when you meet someone?"
>
> Remember my reintroduction post?  I reminded everybody I sometimes end up
> with foot in mouth?  Well, this is how it starts, "Misunderstanding."
> Trisha, I am a VERY sarcastic person (but in a good way :D)   Always have
> been.  Always will be.
>
> In person you have the benefit of inflection, tone, facial expressions,
etc.
> This usually leaves no room for doubt.  However, the written word can be
> tricky.  Sarcasm, joking and kidding are sometimes "misread" on paper,
which
> is what happend here.
>
> I think you misunderstood my words.   Obviously I don't introduce myself
by
> saying I have cerebral palsy!  First of all it would be a redundant remark
> since anyone with eyesight who sees me walking up to them already knows I
> have a disability.  I was making the analogy between the denial I had
> accepting my disability, and the denial of an alcoholic that they have a
> substance abuse problem.
>
> There is no way to work out any problem unless you first admit there is a
> problem.  Hence, admitting to myself I have cp.  The only time I ever
really
> talk about being disabled is at the doctors office, or here on the list
> (which I thought was the nature of this beast :D )
>
> I am a firm believer that people already break themselves off into
> ridiculously small groups.  You know?  There are people who continue to
break
> themselves off from the rest of the human race, segregating themselves
even
> more.  Like, "I only hang out with other left-handed, synchronized
swimming,
> cat-owners, of Sumarian decent who do needle-point and are allergic to
blow
> fish."  These slivers of definition CAN get ridiculous.  BUT, you can not
> deny the fact that some times, there are certain facets which contribute
to
> who we are.  I don't define myself by my disability, BUT  there is no way
I
> can say it does not color my perception of the world.  This is a part of
who
> I am, just like being Italian, or a first-born child, influenced my
> personality.
>
> No matter how much we may want to believe these "groupings" don't
influence
> us or how others see us, I think they do.  Again, my entire outlook on
life
> isn't soley based on cp, but a large portion of my expereinces were
colored
> by being disabled.
>
> There!  I hope I've cleared that all up.  - And I know Trisha can relate
to
> the sarcasm.  She had quite a good jolt of her own when she said, "... -
you
> too can have think things thru. I have seen Amber do it as an 18 month
old -
> so I am fairly
> sure - its a species skill we are born with."  Good One Trisha!  :D
>