AMEN!

Cindy C..
On Fri, 9 Nov 2001 16:20:02 -0500 Matt Conaway <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
> Now, we're getting somewhere!  Yes, it's ableism. I also call it the
> Supercripple complex.  This society gears everything toward the
> perfectly
> able-bodied so much that all other physical states are considered
> abnormal.  Of course, we lesser beings buy into it hook, line, and
> sinker, which causes us much psychological and physical distress in
> our
> effort to meet norms and standards.  My argument is against the
> compulsion to do just that so much.  Why not CELEBRATE spasticity as
> good
> and beautiful?  Why should we always deride and deprecate ourselves
> for
> being who we are because we are not able-bodied?  Disability is NOT
> to be
> overcome.  Rather, it is to be lived with, valued, and appreciated.
> SOLDIERS, WE ARE DISABLED, FOR GOD'S SAKE!  Get it?
>
> ...I like my herring red in cream sauce on crackers.  I guess it's
> the
> stubborn Scandinavian part of me.  :-)
>
> "I'm proud to be disabled because at least I know I'm free..."
>
>
> Matt
>
> On Fri, 9 Nov 2001, Michael H Collis wrote:
>
> > Bobby, Joanne and Mag,
> >
> > I think Matt is trying to say that the reason doctors, and to a
> large
> > extent, people in general have a negative concept of spasticity
> is
> > because spasticity isn't "normal."  Most spastic c.p.er's require
> a
> > wheelchair to get around, further aggravating the negativity.  As
> I've
> > pointed out, walking is very overrated.  I don't think with my
> feet...
> >
> > Human beings being what we are, we really don't like differences
> in
> > other people or ourselves.  When we perceive something is other
> than the
> > norm, our tendency is to try to bring it to the norm (i.e. be
> > ablebodied), be it through surgery, drugs, or what have you.  I
> like
> > Betty's term for this. She calls it "ABLEISM."   That's not to say
> we
> > can't improve through therapy, assistive tech, and/or other ways,
> as
> > long as we realize we may never be at the norm.
> >
> > mike
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bobby G.
> Greer, Ph.
> > D.
> > Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 1:11 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Drugs....
> >
> > So, why get educated, why go intp rehab engineering. If you
> REALLY
> > accept
> > yourself and other people with disabilities, using your semantic
> > interpretation of "acceptance"; aren't you being hypocritical. If
> I can
> > not
> > do something and I get someone to develope a device to assist to
> do it,
> > am I
> > not "not accepting the disability"????
> >
> > Bobby
> >
>