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Folks I think the discussion reported below is a good reminder about the complexities of describing the disability experience. It seems to me that by suggesting there is a cadre of "expert disability scholars" who have to be consulted we are reiterating the authoritarian and oppressive appeal to "experts" so beloved by the medical model. We have internalized the tools of the "oppressor" and now try to use them on each other. I made this point at SDS and was amazed at how many people came up to me afterward and expressed concern, sotto voce, about the tendency to insist on "the correct view" of disability, which often discounts their own experience. I recently experienced such an instance. A nonPWD, reporting in print on an article I wrote, stated that people who had had polio originallly were coerced into trying to walk with braces and crutches rather than use efficient and comfortabl wheelchairs, in order to appear more normal. This was presented as if it was my view. When I asked the individual why he had made the statement, he told me it was often used as an example by recognized disability studies scholars (yes, he told me who had used this example, and yes, the individuals are recognized disability scholars, although none is post-polio). I don't mind a statement to the effect that some people experienced being urged to walk as coercion, but I do mind it being suggested by juxtaposition with no citation that I use this example, as if it is a report of my experience. I imagine that the non-PWD who wrote this simply imagined that if one recognized disability studies scholar used the example it is authenticated by an expert and therefore true. But the claim is far from my view, becaurse it is far from my experience. What I recall is a world (in 1950) in which wheelchairs were too heavy to push for individuals with compromised hand or arm movement, too large to get into taxis, and unable to climb stairs in the very many buildings with no elevators. While walking on braces and crutches (for those who could) could be frightening and dangerous (crutch tips on ice), at least one could get up and down curbs (if they weren't too high). Otherwise, one was stuck on a single block (no curb cuts) unless one was strong enough to tip the chair and jump the curb, or had a family member who was wiling to help. Consequently, the question about whether people were prohibited by the rehabilitation system from using wheelchairs in order to make them appear more normal is a complicated one. I don't find it useful to discount the complexity. Other people may have had experiences different from mine, and I appreciate hearing about them and learning from them because their positions wil enrich and counterpoint mine . One sign that disability studies is maturing will be when we can debate models and explanations, and welcome books and films regardless of whether they share our views, with pleasure that there is a growing body of different theories and views to discuss, rather than desirng expert authentication. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 09:09:43 From: Dan Wendling <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Cc: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] Subject: FW: Polio documentary I am forwarding the following message from Carol Boyer, who is not currently a member of the disability-research list. Subject: RE: Polio documentary These communiques were forwarded to me by one of the listserv members. I am copying the director of this unique film so she can respond with the credentials with which you are asking, that is, about whether any disability scholars were involved in the film production process. I am a person with post-polio who happened to be one of the voices in the film. I have seen the film twice now and thought it handled the issues quite well. I am also a disability information specialist and currently the project director of the U.S. Department of Education's Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance Coordinator project. Mr. Davis is quite right when he states, "I suppose we need to watch the PBS documentary first. . ." Yes, you should. I do not know why Ms. Rubenfeld stated that "no disability scholars were involved." Perhaps she may have shut the film off or left the Washington Premiere before the credits were run. I will let the director, Nina Seavey, respond to your questions on the disability scholars who worked on this film. In fact, after the airing of the documentary, PBS will also air a 30-minute film, also by the same director, on post-polio syndrome. Carol Boyer Project Director ADA Technical Assistance Coordinator http://www.adata.org A very good website on the ADA!!! Dan Wendling - [log in to unmask] Publications Coordinator National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) http://www.naric.com/naric 800/346-2742, ext. 15 (Voice); 301/495-5626 (TTY) Information for Independence %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%