Mairian wrote:
With reference to Simon's and Larry's comments and to what Sarah says above,
could we maybe try looking at this issue from the other way around. My
understanding of the social model is that you can only be 'disabled' if you
have an 'impairment' - disabled people are oppressed on the grounds of
impairment. Whichever we we look at it, and whether we like it or not,
'having an impairment' depends on 'medical diagnosis' of that impairment by
medical professionals who are 'experts' in the field of that particular
impairment.>
Thanks fro bringing this to the forfront Mairian (just what I needed as a
lead in) Aspergers Syndrome is a very individualistic 'impairment' although
I know some would argue that all impairments are individualist but there is a
difference. It is extremely difficult for people to work collectively per
say, I have peer supported a number of people on the autistic spectrum, over
this last couple of years and you soon learn that most of the time to go with
the flow! This may be one of the problems? with social communications with
regards to working together and collectivising and the 'mismatch' in ours and
their, non As peoples, social skills. I want to take this opportunity to say
that although I am very often, or should I say most of the time,
misunderstood in email land (because my writing skills are perceived and
judged (wrongly) becasue of mainstream values and norms) Give me face to
face contact anyday, I have the skills to communicate in groups, no problem.
Though it hasn't always been like this.
Unless we collectivise I don't see how we can gain strong and powerful
collective political arguments. Make no mistake their is loads of good work
happening in the autistic field, but what is happening seems to be on very
individualist terms. Over the last year I have scoured information in this
field and very rarely do we come across any work which puts the issues and
our rights within a social model political perspective and most importantly
in plain easy to understand language.
Liz Fetes
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