Arnold, I would have to say that I agree with you.  The difficulties
that we all experience, although sometimes a direct and unavoidable
result of CP - ie chronic pain, are too often a result of the world's
inability to understand and accomodate difference.  Although people's
attitudes to me and the CP have caused me a great deal of anguish and
pain, I would be unwilling to pander to the AB world's desire to cure
us rather than accept us by referring to it as an illness.  I don't
want a cure, I want acceptance for the totality of who I am and can
be.
Discrimination and prejudice are illnesses, CP isn't.

Rayna

On Thu, Apr 19, 2001 at 03:18:59PM -0500, Anthony Arnold wrote:
    I don't know how to word this without saying something wrong that might
    offend people.  However I believe that it might be a good idea for some of
    you and even myself to look around our local area for an ARC, Independent
    Living Center or whatever disability resources we might have to go to for
    help in better understanding in Cerebral Palsy because it isn't an illness
    or a life limiting thing like some of you love to believe.  I realize that I
    might have to use a power chair and a communication device for my life but
    so what, its a lot better than being in bed dying from cancer, aids or
    whatever else.  I would be careful selecting the word illness to describe
    Cerebral Palsy if you want to open up a life insurance policy because you
    would find it very difficult being accepted for one, it took me a long time
    to get mine because everybody was believing that I had an illness like
    cancer, and not just a physical disability that I can't die from .

    Thanks,
    Anthony

    -----------------------------------
    Join my AAC listserv today at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arnoldaac


      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Bobby Greer
      To: [log in to unmask]
      Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 1:42 PM
      Subject: Re: A Question


      In a message dated 4/19/01 6:07:47 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

      << I'd like to know why  Kathy Jo asked the question.  Kathy?
       >>

      I have no earthly idea, Kathy.

      Bobby