In a message dated 01/26/2000 11:50:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Well, I don't usually post this kind of stuff but I have seen =
 it now on two seperate lists- the first has nothing to do with =
 Handicapped folks - maybe some of our more vocal ( Betty!!) members =
 would like to drop a line on this - first is the e-mail I got from a =
 friends - second is what was posted on another list - a news article.
  >>

Yes...well, Trisha will tell you that I don't make excuses for able body
supremacy.  I don't call it anything nicer either.  It is able body
supremacy, and the only reason it isn't called that is because the able body
supremacy movement is so powerful it doesn't need a moniker.

In the United States, we make a big noise about equality -- a big noise.  I
hold myself to a high standard where the promises of liberty for all are
concerned, and I expect no less from my fellow citizens.  I speak openly
about this, and I'll risk every friendship I have in the name of preserving
those tenets upon which this Nation was founded.  I don't have a lot of use
for people who wave the flag around while trampling on the liberties of
others.  This isn't just a cry for the recognition of the disability
community as a valued component of society, it is a demand that we uphold
that which we claim to revere for the sake of religious freedom and
appreciation of our varying heritages.

I responded to Jody's apparent apology with the following message:

"Dear Jody,

I suspect that you've received a lot of hurtful comments about your initial
post. Please understand that people with disabilities are acutely aware of
the hostility many nondisabled people feel toward us. It is not often,
however, that someone is open about their violent thoughts. I have said
elsewhere in the past that such a person is not our enemy, because they are
willing to show us who they are. We can see them clearly.

Rather than try to apologize now for the violent things you said, your time
might be better spent thinking about the Pledge of Allegiance, and what the
last line means.

This is going to be with you for a long time, and you have a lot to think
about. The disability community will be looking to see how you have grown
from your experience."

There are many Jody Dunkels out there.  There are Neo Nazis who hate Jews;
there are people who in the name of Christianity would have Trisha burned at
the stake for being Pagan; there are those who would have some of us killed
for being a burden to society.  Perhaps yet, there are those who will hire
Amber in a hot minute to show to the world that they have a disabled
employee.  Amber is a highly talented young woman who deserves more, but her
disability is not severe, so she is likely to be the perfect target for
quota-seekers.  Those same employers would not dream of giving someone with a
severe disability a second glance, expect to stare.

And now -- now, I have a true crisis.  I am out of Dr. Pepper and I cannot
get to the store.

Betty