Hi everyone
I just wanted to tell you about another instance of positive speak. Nothing earth-shattering: just enough for me to notice and smile. I was watching Pat Rafter play his 3rd round match at the Australian Tennis Open on TV (because I can). After his win, we saw him talking to a young ball boy. He handed him a shirt and was obviously pointing into the audience showing the boy who to give the shirt to. They were either complex instructions or the kid was just 'not getting it'. So off the kid goes climbing the railings and scrambling up the stairs higher and higher up into the gods with Pat's T-shirt in his hands. It was meant for someone but who and why? As he reached his destination, the camera could not show us who finally got the shirt.
Pat Rafter was interviewed as he was coming off the court. The interviewer asked who the shirt was for. He said (this is quoted as well as I can recall) it was for someone I saw in the audience - a guy in a wheelchair - he can't get down close.
Like I said, nothing earth-shattering but such a refreshing change to hear someone say "a guy in a wheelchair" instead of the usual dreadful terms. And it was good to hear someone (particularly someone so public) acknowledge access as the 'problem' rather than the fellow being deserving of some charitable act.
I cannot comment on the access to the venue. I have not been there. I don't know whether people in wheelchairs can get closer to the action if they choose to. Regardless, it would be difficult to catch a T-shirt when all around you can stand and jump to reach. My point anyway was less to do with his reasoning and more to do with the langauge he chose to use.
Best regards
Laurence Bathurst
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Sydney
PO Box 170
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph: 61 2 9351 9509
Fax: 61 2 9351 9509
Email: [log in to unmask]
Home Ph: 61 2 9818 2050
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Lost : - My leisure. If found please return it to me -
it has great sentimental value and holds many fond memories.
Lost : - My self. Last seen within my leisure
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