DISABILITY ISSUE OR HUMAN BEING ISSUE?
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I received the following comment after this newsletter article was published:
This article was—no other way to say it—brilliant. I heard the "manipulation perspective" as a young teen, and it left its mark. It made me feel that if I cried in front of anyone, they'd view it as my trying to manipulate them, and I still struggle with that today. Thank you for validating the emotions of people with disabilities, especially children.
From Stephanie, a person with a disability
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How many times have we thought, heard, or said things like:
- He’s very manipulative—we know children with disabilities learn to be manipulative at an early age.
- She’ll never be able to drive—she has Down syndrome (or cerebral palsy or whatever).
- What do you expect—he has autism (or fetal alcohol syndrome or seizures or whatever).
Now think about other things you’ve thought, heard, or said—better yet, make a list!
How many times do we make assumptions about children or adults with disabilities that are based primarily on the person’s diagnosis? How many decisions—life-altering decisions for the person with the disability—have been made based on these assumptions? How do we know the issue is a consequence of the person’s disability?
Let’s look at example #1. Amazingly, I heard this from different professionals, years apart. (Where did this mythical and goofy assumption come from?) Read more...
Copyright 2012 Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com; all rights reserved. You may make copies of the PDF of this article to share with others as a handout. Do not republish in newsletters, blogs, websites, etc., without permission. Click here for the Terms of Use and permission request form.
THINK ABOUT IT . . .
Appearances are deceptive.
Aesop
People only see what they are prepared to see.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.
Edward de Bono
It all depends on how we look at things, and not how they are in themselves.
Carl Jung
Our perception is based more on expectation and belief than on independent interpretation.
Eldon Taylor
People everywhere enjoy believing things that they know are not true. It spares them the ordeal of thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for what they know.
Brooks Atkinson
NEWS
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is a government website that features interesting news and articles, as well as a free E-newsletter.
VISIT DISABILITY IS NATURAL
New Books! We're "retiring" our 101 Reproducible Articles book, replacing it with two new books of articles—both are bigger and better:
144 Reproducible Articles: How You Can Create Positive Change for Children with Disabilities (for parents, teachers, therapists, child care centers, and/or anyone who cares about children with disabilities—includes a section on inclusive education); $30.00 book only or $36.00 book and CD.
153 Reproducible Articles: How You Can Create Positive Change for People with Disabilities (for provider agencies, disability organizations, and/or people who work primarily with adults with disabilities); $30.00 book only or $36.00 book and CD.
Other affordable goodies—posters, badges, bookmarks, magnets, and sticker sheets—are available in 30+ designs that promote new ways of thinking about disability.
Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities ($30.00) provides effective strategies that can ensure children with disabilities of all ages live more natural lives, included in all areas of society—disability does not have to be a barrier to living a wonderful, normal, successful life!
My Apple-Bites book ($10.00) is a little book full of big ideas!
While you're visiting Disability is Natural:
PRESENTATIONS
I'll be presenting in Oregon, Mississippi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Virginia, Delaware, and the Toronto area in the coming weeks and months, and presentations are pending in other locations. I'd love to see you at any of those events, and I'd also love the opportunity to present for your organization! Click here to learn more.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for your interest in Disability is Natural! You're welcome to share the link to this newsletter with others. Before using the contents of this E-Newsletter on websites/blogs, in newsletters, etc., please review our Terms of Use.
Remember to always Presume Competence in people with disabilities!
Kathie
Copyright 2012 Kathie Snow, All Rights Reserved, BraveHeart Press, www.disabilityisnatural.com |
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