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Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 2:09 PM
Subject: C-PALSY Digest - 15 Jul 2000 to 16 Jul 2000 (#2000-199)


> There are 5 messages totalling 290 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>   1. Fine tuning disablity rights focus (5)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date:    Sun, 16 Jul 2000 17:14:26 EDT
> From:    Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Fine tuning disablity rights focus
>
> Dear list members:
>
> Last year, I was deeply honored to be accepted by the list as a welcomed
> member.  For a time, being part of C-PALSY was a bit like having trusted
> family. However, as most of you know, the past year has forced me to turn
my
> attention to matters closer to geographical home.
>
> Recent occurrences have forced me to realize that my time with C--PALSY
> should come to a close, and I would like to take my leave of you with
> peaceful spirit.  I assure you that In Caesar's world, disability rights
is
> foremost in my mind.  I will be pursuing this course for the remainder of
my
> life, but my time and energy will be better spent, I think, attending to
> issues that affect my immediate geographical area.
>
> Please do not forget that there are others who will come after you --
those
> with disabilities who will be affected by your actions.  On their behalf,
we
> must strive to improve our relationship with our nondisabled neighbors.
We
> must help them see that this is our world as well as it is theirs, and
that
> we are not here because of a mistake, or by their grace.
>
> At this time in history, nearly everything you publicly do reflects on the
> reputation of the disability community.  If you find a discriminatory
> situation and file complaint, do not accept money as a buy off.  That
makes
> you look easy.  It cheapens not only your reputation, but that of the
entire
> disability community.  Insist instead that the wrong be righted.  Insist
on
> fairness for all people with disabilities, not just fairness for yourself.
>
> Above all, do not accept crumbs.  The half loaf you take today is the
portion
> you will leave for the next disabled person.  If the battle comes to you,
do
> not run.  Do not leave it for the next person.  Be true to your high value
as
> a human.
>
> I have advocated on behalf of children with disabilities, indeed I have
> advocated for all children.  The reason that children with disabilities
are
> more important than you is because you are at the age of reasoning, and
you
> are responsible to make this world a better place for them.  They are at
the
> mercy of those adults who know what is wrong and who have adult voices.
Use
> your voice.  Use your voice!
>
> Being disabled is not the handicap, and society is not the handicap
either.
> Disabled people who accept crumbs and allow themselves to be patted on the
> head are the handicap because they are the very people who will be used as
an
> example at every turn by those who would keep us down.  They are the
targets,
> and that is the hard truth.  Those crumbs will be passed onto children
with
> disabilities whose parents are fighting so hard now.  Do not sit down and
do
> nothing, while parents and others fight for their children.
>
> I have enjoyed my time with you and wish each of you well in our
collective
> fight for true independence.  It is all I live for now, and all I have to
> live for.  I will not see what I wish to see in my lifetime, but that is
of
> no consequence.  What is of consequence is whether I fight for the day
when
> we are regarded by the nondisabled community as valued members of society.
>
> I will not answer personal e-mails, as I will be off line for a time.
>
> Please take care,
> Betty Alfred

Betty, you have expressed so well what has been on my heart for years.
Please may I have your permission to reprint this on the website I am
currently
setting up here in Australia?

I wish you well in your future as you focus on your call.

Regards,
Roslyn McKearney.
Co-Facilitator Cooinda Computer Club
For  people with a disability and/or chronic illness
Berri
South Australia
Australia
Co-Sysop
Cooinda BBS