There is a middle ground here. Those who do not see their disabilities as
tragedy provide wonderful role models and alternatives to the prevailing
sentiment. It may then become gradually easier for others to make the transition to
this way of thinking.
My disability issues have been present for many years and there has been a
process of coming to terms. I find inconvenience, and sometimes my limitations
hit me in the face in an uncomfortable way, but overall my life is very rich
and satisfying and the disability is part of who I am. When I was younger, I
had more of a problem with accepting this aspect of myself.
I see the process of identifying as having a disability, and especially with
a group of others with disability, as being one of readiness. If you push
people beyond this, they may react. By meeting people where they are, any threat
is reduced, and it may be easier to get agreement and support across the
spectrum of abilities of positive changes in areas such as accessibility.
Sherry Kahn
In a message dated 6/18/03 3:24:06 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
>Finally, and the forgive the long-windednes of this posting, there is a
>trend is disability politics, as another on the list alluded to, to
>re-educate those with disabilities who do see disability as tragedy, which
>is their right, indeed it could be considered unethical to re-educate them
>into being a 'good PWD' I use that phrase because a similar form (those
>obviously much harsher tactics!) were used in Communist Russia - those
>who
>didn't believe were 're-educated' into being a 'good communist'.
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