Charmaine
Thanks for your e-mail.
I would like to hear your own opinion of why do you think that disabled
people need to be diagnosed and labelled with these medical labels in
society ?
Regards
Colin R
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charmaine Driver" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "ColRevs" <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 6:15 AM
Subject: Re: An open-debate on NeuroDiversity !
> Hi Colin et al
>
> I am most interested to read you views and perspectives on the challenges
> and difficulties faced by neurodiverse people within many areas of
society.
>
> I have been thinking for a while now that all disability categories - be
> they the historical ones or the more recently voiced labels such as
> neurodiverse (or for that matter neuro-typical) are in and of themselves
> disabling. I am interested to know what you think of the idea of getting
rid
> of any language or label that refers to some sort of category of
disability.
> Instead I feel there is at least some value in replacing these sort of
> 'disability-specific labels' with language that refers to peoples'
> functioning and strengths and ways to maximise people's choice, presence
at
> places they want to be, access to places and activities and services they
> see as useful, participation in programs, work, lifestyle and life in ways
> that seem good to them, and opportunities to achieve as well as they can.
>
> This might seem simplistic but my work and experiences seem to be leading
me
> to a position away from 'disability' and 'labels' and towards a position
of
> inclusion and welcoming all people within society so that everyone can
> really enjoy quality of life - whatever that is for each one as an
> individual. I realise that in some parts of the world this would
constitute
> a huge social change agenda.
>
> All of that said, I also think that in the school room and workplace, as
> well as society in general, there is a huge need for strategies and
> opportunities for teachers, community members and bureaucrats who make and
> steer policy, to improve their understanding of the way that various
people
> see the world, process experience and react / act in various situations.
> Inclusion is great ... but I am not at all convinced that inclusion can be
> achieved through a one-size-fits-all methodology - for schools, workplaces
> or society. For everyone to really belong, I think that different ones
might
> well need different opportunities, experiences and perhaps a range of
mentor
> s and coaches such as many people use already.
>
> I am really keen to hear what people think about these ideas ...
especially
> as they might be constructed within re-conceptualisation of education
> systems to achieve inclusive frameworks and maximised educational and life
> outcomes for school students.
>
> Charmaine Driver.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ColRevs" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 5:07 AM
> Subject: An open-debate on NeuroDiversity !
>
>
> > Hi, My name is Colin Revell, Hull, England.
> >
> > I'm the founder of Hull and East Yorkshire NeuroDiversity Action an
> educational socio-political, socio-psycho/medical 'users' human and civil
> rights group.
> >
> > The group is about challenging Social Exclusion through a process of
> re-learning and re-education. It's around challenging dominant ideologies
> and discourses and out-dated views, prejudices and stereotypes within the
> media and society.
> >
> > This group is new and also the understanding of NeuroDiversity is a term
> that is not well recognised and accepted within society. There are
> psycho-socio-political reasons for this and also the imbalance of power
> within society with dominant discourses and ideologies, especially in the
> medical model and psychiatry and psychology.
> >
> > I need to open up the debate on a working definition of what
> neuro-diversity means to others ? Who do we define as neuro-diverse?
> >
> > I'm aware at present that individuals with Autistic Spectrum
> Disorders(Aspergers Syndrome), Dyspraxia(Developmental Co-ordination
> Disorder), Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder(AD(H)D, Attention
> Deficit Disorder(ADD) ( not everyone with concentration and attention
> problems have 'Hyperactivity', especially as this wax and wanes at the
> beginning of Adolescence, and for some individuals in adulthood it
> disappears altogether, but not for all adults), Dyslexia, Irlen Syndrome,
> Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Semantic Pragmatic Disorder and
other
> Specific Learning Difficulties(SpLd's), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(M.E),
> People who hear voices, Bi-polar(Manic) Depression.
> >
> > As you can see all these are medical terms, except People who hear
voices.
> >
> > I'm in the opinion that individuals have the right to self-determined
> labels, which challenges the dominant discourses and ideologies, in which
> creates negative stereotypes and stigma. These medical labels have a
> detrimental effect on an individuals self-esteem and their needs to be a
> challenge within NeuroDiversityAction, in deconstruction of these negative
> labels into individual positive identities.
> >
> > As I said I want to open-up the debate around NeuroDiversity and would
> welcome your views, ideas and opinion around how I and others can take
> NeuroDiversity forward within the 21st Century, in the globalised world,
at
> Local, National and International levels.
> >
> > I would welcome your thoughts on whom should be included and defined as
> NeuroDiverse ?
> >
> > Who do we include as NeuroDiverse and then who do we exclude ?
> >
> > As many of you may beware that within NeuroDiversity cultures their is a
> term called NeuroTypicals( this is the term used by NeuroDiverse
individuals
> for individuals whom are not-NeuroDiverse). There are many disabled people
> who are NeuroTypical, so these individuals can't be included.
> >
> > Many NeuroDiverse individuals are excluded within society and have
> difficulties with personal and sexual relationships. They also have the
need
> to discuss sexuality issues. but have no-one to turn to, due to their
> isolation and the statutory health and social services not meeting their
> needs.
> >
> > What do others know about a U.K charity called SPOD ?
> >
> > This organisation campaigns for a better understanding of the sexuality
> and sexual needs of disabled people.
> >
> > I had a conversation early last year with someone from SPOD and I was
> informed that many of their queries are from men who are neuro-diverse
with
> Aspergers Syndrome. Their queries are mostly around the use prostitutes
and
> escorts.
> >
> > This person and I discussed the need for sexual surrogates, in which is
> happening some disabled people in London and other areas of the U.K. The
use
> of sexual surrogates are commonly used across many parts of Europe by the
> health and social services and sex is accepted as a basic human need for
> disabled people.
> >
> > What are people's views on sexual surrogates for NeuroDiverse
individuals
> ?
> >
> > Is NeuroDiversity an impairment? Do you believe that NeuroDiverse
> individuals should be categorised as a disabled person ?
> >
> > How does NeuroDiversity fit-in with the social model of disability ?
> >
> > So, this is why I need your support an open-debate ?
> >
> > NeuroDiverse individuals have the same basic human needs as all human
> beings, but as I said they are excluded, why ?
> >
> > What are the environmental barriers and threats to NeuroDiverse
> individuals. Chemical and food/drink allergies and Intolerances ?
> NeuroDiversity individuals are more at threat by environmental toxins, due
> to their genetic-sensitivities.
> >
> > This is a basic human rights issue due to the damaging effects of these
> toxins of neurodiverse individuals physical body and mind, in which
impacts
> on their mental health.
> >
> > NeuroDiverse individuals may have great difficulties metabolising these
> toxins from their bodies and this impacts on their minds.
> >
> > They need access to detox and should have the right to be prescribed
> alternative medicines, drugs, treatments and therapies. It had been well
> researched that neurodiverse individuals have adverse side-effects to many
> prescribed drugs, especially psychiatric drugs, in some cases have been
> fatalistic.
> >
> > What are the learning, structural, social, cultural, attitudinal
barriers
> ?
> >
> > How can NeuroDiverse individuals be more socially,cultural and
> economically included ?
> >
> > Are NeuroDiverse individuals the genetic underclass of the 21st Century
?
> >
> > What are people's fears around genetic engineering and cloning ? Does
this
> mean that NeuroDiversity will be eradicated from the genepool and society
in
> the future ?
> >
> > Any more questions would be welcome in this open-debate!
> >
> > Larry Arnold, If you can express your personal experience and views this
> would be welcomed.
> >
> > Larry or any other person with a interest in this subject can you please
> send a copy of this e-mails to other relevant forums on the internet who
you
> believe should be included in this debate.
> >
> > People can also e-mail me privately and confidential with their
> constructive views, idea's and opinions. I will not accept any abusive
> e-mails, so don't waste your time if you are not prepared to give
> constructive criticism. My e-mail address is:- [log in to unmask]
> >
> > If any neuro-diverse individuals want to join NeuroDivergent Action then
> the is a yahoo support group/forum at:-
> > [log in to unmask] . This is a support group/forum
only
> for neurodiverse individuals and you need to go through the moderators to
> join.
> >
> > I hope to hear from you all and your interesting constructive views.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Colin Revell
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________End of message______________________
> >
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> >
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>
>
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