Inspirational Bloggers

Diane from the blog, A Stellar Life, awarded me with the inspirational blogger award. Thank you Diane. I have passed on this award to these deserving blogs.

A Stellar Life http://dj-astellarlife.blogspot.com/

Chewing the Fat http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/

Journeys from a wheelchair http://www.irishsea-mark.blogspot.com/

Mark in Montana http://nodakwheeler.blogspot.com/

Scott Sands Alive http://www.scottsandsalive.com/

To my fellow bloggers: Pass this award on to bloggers that you find to be inspirational.

President Obama's Comment

President Obama's comment on the Tonight Show last week comparing his bowling game to the Special Olympics, though not funny, is not the end of the world. He could have used a better analogy of his bowling game than the Special Olympics, but it was not done to deliberately disparage anyone or done out of mean-spiritedness. It was an attempt at self-deprecating humor on his part that fell flat. He realized his error and apolgized to the Special Olympics. But, this story is turning into a tempest in a tea cup. Now if he said, he bowled like a retard, or did something akin to Rush Limbaugh mocking Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's related movements, then I would be upset.

This is an opportunity for the Special Olympics to publicize what they are all about and to dispel misconceptions about the atheletes. President Obama's comment reflects the common misconception that the Special Olympics are for atheletes that aren't that good. Since he is not a very good bowler, he used the Special Olympics as an analogy. It was an honest mistake. The disabled community has to stop being so thin-skinned about some comments about the disabled. I think we should be in on the jokes, as long as it's not done to disparage, mock, or denigrate people with disabilities. It is time to get over this comment and move on to more important things, like the economy.

More on Cerrie Burnell

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the controversy over Cerrie Burnell's arm. In response to some parent's complaints that the sight of her incomplete arm would scare their children, she didn't get angry, but instead saw it as an opportunity to educate people about disability. Here is an excerpt from an article about her that appeared in the Daily Mail.

I don't deliberately try to make people confront my disability, but
nor do I try to hide it. This is me, and I am neither ashamed nor embarassed by
it.

Of course, this criticism is upsetting, but I did not feel it was personal
criticism of me. I don't feel angry towards the parents, and if anything I'm
pleased that all this has opened up the debate. It can only be a good thing that
parents are using me as a chance to talk about disability with their
children.

People need to be represented more honestly in the media, especially when
there is so much emphasis on the body beautiful, plastic surgery and this
obsession with trying to look like celebrities.

When you are not used to seeing normal people, let alone disabled people,
then anyone like me is going to create a stir. I think it's really time to start
changing perceptions.

The Controversy over Cerrie Burnell's Arm

Last month in the United Kingdom. a silly controversy erupted over Cerrie Burnell, a co-host on a children's television show. Some parents were upset at the use of her on the show. They were not upset at anything she did or said, but the fact that she has a visible disability. Cerrie has a short arm which stops at the elbow.These parents felt that the sight of this would frighten their children and perhaps give them nightmares. These are probably those same parents who move their children away from a person with a disability in public. They are sending the unenlightened message to their children, that a disability is something to be ashamed of, to be feared, to be hidden away. Instead of shielding their children from disabilities, they should be exposing their children to disability, so that they can grow up with a better understanding and respect for people with disabilities. Children are curious by nature and want to know why a person with a disability is the way they are. Instead of squelching their curiosity. they should be encouraged to learn about people with disabilities. Education and awareness about disability is important to erase misconceptions, stereotypes, and just plain ignorance about disability. When I am out, children will ask what happened to me. I tell them with a smile and in a way they can understand. Most times, the children accept it and go on their merry way. It is my hope that I may have instilled in them a respect for those who are different because of a disability, and see that people with disabilities are not to be feared, or to be shunned. The television station should be applauded for putting Cerrie Burnell on the show, and those parents who are against her should be ashamed of themselves.

He Did It!

On October 25, Matt Eddy, the first man to drive his power wheelchair(ventilator included) across the United States completed his trip at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. On June 30, the thirty-one year old man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy started his trip from the Long Wharf Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts and wheeled 2335 miles to Long Beach, planning his route as he went along. His trip aimed to increase awareness about disability and publicize his charity, Matt's Place, to help build accessible housing for people with disabilities. I hope he succeeded in that. He also showed that a person can do almost anything if he sets his mind to. Matt had this idea and made it reality. His determination allowed him to accomplish this feat. Great job Matt!

Check out his blog, Ramblings in the Dark. There is also a great article about Matt and his trip in the Press-Telegram of Long Beach.

Matt Eddy

I recently came across the story of Matt Eddy, a 30 year old man with Duchenne Muscular Dytrophy from Lynn, Massachusetts. He is rolling across America from Boston to Long Beach, California in his power wheelchair (ventilator included) to raise public awarness about disability and to support his charity, Matt's Place, which aims to build accesible housing for people with disabiities, so they can live in their communities and not in institutions. Check out his blog, Ramblings in the Dark, to follow his progress across the nation. As I write this, he is about eighty days or so into his journey and somewhere in New Mexico. I am impressed by his determination and guts. Go Matt!