NP
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Positive Narratives
Dude Named Todd
Whenever I do research for this blog on disability issues, so much of the advertising is for how to apply for disability (I live in the USA). This is not the positive image I'm looking for. There seems to be only two types of stories on line about people with disabilities; "oh, what difficultly he or she had to overcome" to to become super successful (lots of good athlete stories) or "Jesus, being disabled sucks"; sub-standard housing, discrimination, poor education outcomes, terrible unemployment numbers and tons of stories on handicapped parking abuses. The world would be a much better place if handicapped parking was the biggest issue disabled people had to deal with. There is little middle ground here. When is the last time you saw a flick with a disabled character and his or her role had nothing to do with the disability? We are usually type casted into being the "hero" (Helen Keller) or bitter "super-villain." (Ernst Stavro Blofeld from 007). Where is the average schmo who happens to have a disability of some sort? Not everyone has to be a "hero." I hope to inspire others by simply being "normal," not heroic. We need to normalize so called disability and while we're at it, rethinking the terminology may not be a bad idea either.
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| Thu and Fatmonkey |
People I come into contact with often see me as simply a family member, co-worker, friend and husband. I'll pass on being a "hero"- the most overused word in the English Language. Yeah, I do cool stuff and try to be a good guy but ya know what? My farts are pretty smelly! We all do both things we are proud of as well as things we are ashamed of. I see this as just a part of the human condition. The notion of humanity as a fallen creature is a part of the cultural baggage I'm issued here in the west. Sadly, disabled people are all too often seen as further fallen (see the post below). Now, Todd C., a guy I know in a wheel chair, does not self-identify as a person with a disability. He just is... Todd. Most anyone would consider him successful in life, but he's not a rock star (not yet). I think both of us turn a supposed weakness into a strength. Todd uses his experience for his business T+ (one of several). Just an aside, disabled people often start their own businesses. Who's going to know more about what you can do than you? Seriously. Check it out. Look here too. My handicap gives me lots of stuff to write about both directly and indirectly. This blog entry is about issues while other entries come from daydreaming. While others are playing football and basketball, I'm listening to music as my mind wonders through "The Utopia," unmarked graves, asylums and hangs out with "Kill Team Kilo." They come later. Ho do we normalize disability?
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| Home of "The Utopia" & "The Phoebe Sofia" |
I think it will come all in good time through education and mainstreaming young people with disabilities. I and Todd both are products of public education. Going to school with so-called normal people did not kill either of us. In my experience, it never took long for me to melt into the student body becoming just another face in the hall. I never felt I was a part of a highly discriminated against minority group. I found that out the hard way later in life the hard way when I started looking for a job. That story is somewhere on this blog also. If I said I did not get discouraged, I'd be bull-shitting you. Getting that first "real" job was a nightmare! "Well shit, I can just volunteer somewhere." I remember thinking more than once. I found something the same way most people do; through a friend of a friend. There too, I was able to soon blend in. For me, education WAS the key. One of the guys that hired me told me my degree got me the job. If I could go through the BS called college, I could do the work they wanted me to. Getting a good education is the shit. In fact, keep on learning.
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| Me and Dr. Johan Galtung the Father of Peace Studies |
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Negative Narriatives
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| Paul and Thu LaVack |
Let me follow up on one of the articles in the post below. Multiculturalism, Chronic Illness, and Disability. I find the stories we tell each other about why things are the way they are, utterly fascinating. How do we explain anomalies in the population more commonly known as people with physical disabilities? For the non-disabled, being disabled is something bad. Too many forget (handicapped parking violators) that if they live long enough, they too will likely one day be disabled. With the negativity associated with disability (the very word is negative) it is no surprise, to me anyway, many view the handicapped person or their family as having done something bad. Why else would a capital "G" God allow such things as wheelchairs, crutches, canes and walkers? It also fits nicely with our "good guy" self-image. Hey, I'm not handicapped, I must be pretty cool in God's eyes. No handicapped people in my family, we're good people. How many shits do you know that freely admit they're shits? The worst Nazi probably who ever lived thought he too was a "good guy." Many of them had families. I think re-writing these negative stories is a tall order buy not impossible.
From a religious / folklore point of view, doing something bad and being punished explains away the unpleasant reality (from their point of view) of disabled people. We, here in the west, like to think we are beyond such superstitions but I'm not so sure. Had I been born 20 years earlier, there is a very good chance I would have been institutionalized; missing out on a so-called normal life and education. That's with-in living memory. I think it takes a long time for ingrained and entrenched narratives to fade away. I've done well, beating the odds. I have a job and a college degree while way too many of my disabled / handicapped brothers and sisters have neither. I'm sure there are a ton of complex reasons for this but allow me to throw in my two cents.
If someone is taught to feel sorry for themselves and never given an alternative, they will. They are "labeled." They take on the role we assign them; cripple, beggar vegetable or whatever term chosen depending on time and place. The most effective way for me to make my mom and grandmother mad was acting like I had severe mental problems as well as physical by drooling and moaning like a tool. Looking back I too was taking on the role of being "a retarded cripple." Why? I was not put in public schools initially, rather a school school for handicapped children where many of my classmates had severe mental problems as well as physical limitations. I took home what I was exposed to. One of our neighbors even referred to me as a "retarded boy." This only further infuriated my parents and grandmother. Perhaps the guy saw me acting out but I don't think so. I think the guy just assumed physical and mental limitations were the same thing. He learned his attitude somewhere and unless someone taught him otherwise, likely still views mental and physical impairments in the same way. We can only know what we are taught. Education is the key to breaking the repeating of negative stereo-types of any group.
In my case, my parents educated me on how to live a more or less normal and successful life. I can never once recall once being told what I could or could not do. I was allowed to dream big! Big rigs that is. As a kid growing up, I wanted to be a truck driver. Rather than saying there was no way, my Dad always said if there is enough will, there will be a way. Education is the key and it has to start at home. Parents of children with disabilities need to focus on what they CAN do and not the other way around. When they grow up and become successful the old stories will start to fade as they have already.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Out of the Arena Redux II
Ankius
had no other way of escaping. Becoming a powerful magician appealed to him.
There were only a small number of people who had truly mastered both arts.
“My king and Lord Tallshadow, I
will accept your offer. I would also like to promise the gods here before you
that I will never again shed blood for sport. I also promise to do my best for
both of you.”
“Accepted… Tallshadow, make the
arrangements with Bartholomus and give Ankius quarters here in The Quoroas.
Ankius, we will meet with my commanding general tomorrow morning. You will meet
with Tallshadow tomorrow afternoon.”
The next day Ankius started his new
life as the kings combat trainer and a wizard’s apprentice. In the morning, he
schooled soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and weapons. Much to the dismay of
General Winstanus, Kink Horace’s lead general, the army was soft from a long
absence of war. If the situation continued, the entire kingdom could be at
risk. Sooner or later others would mistake Horace’s peaceful reign for weakness
and attack. General Winstanus had also watched Ankuis’ rise to greatness in the
arena, but thought fighting in the arena and on the battlefield to be very
different things. He did not like the idea of an outsider assisting with
training but obeyed the king’s order to appoint Ankius. Ankius taught the
soldiers what he learned in gladiator school and the more hard won lessons from
the arena. General Winstanus soon let go of his doubts about his new trainer.
The army stepped up patrols along
the roads for bandits and along the kingdom’s borders watching for incursions
and raiders. After six months, the roads were bandit free. Many would-be
highwaymen decided to take up less risky professions. King Horace had no
interest in foreign conquest but wanted to be sure he could defend his people.
Cross border raids from the wilderness also came to a stop. Ankius always
spared all he could, taking prisoners rather than killing. He let one or two
raiders from any raiding party foolish enough to make an incursion into
Horace’s farmlands go back with dire warnings for other adventurous fools who
wanted to make their living taking from others.
Ankius instilled in the soldiers the ideas of
protecting the weak, practicing mercy to captured and wounded enemies and a
commitment to self-discipline. The army won greater respect and renewed love of
the people. Nearby kingdoms rethought any plans for trying to take by force
King Horace’s lands. The roads became safe and cross border raids stopped.
Tallshadow proved to be a difficult
teacher demanding nothing but Ankius’ best efforts. Ankius learned both white
and black magic, the magic of far off and ancient peoples and the existence of
passageways to other worlds and times. This notion fascinated him. Ankius
learned dark spells like how to ignite the internal organs of his enemies,
cause blindness and paralysis. More subtle, but of greater importance, he also
learned to detect danger before it arose and read the intentions of others like
a book. He could start fires for torches and camping. Ankius liked his new
gifts, but preferred using the tools and ways of the warrior to magician
trickery. The universe is full of portals but they are not so easy to find and
very difficult to make. One cool autumn evening Ankius stayed up late into the
night with Tallshadow talking over a few ales. Tallshadow was the closest thing
he had to a friend. Ankius had learned too well how to get by with no one close
in his life. They discussed many things and Ankius turned to the topic of gods.
“Tallshadow,
is there a way to the gods for living men?” Ankius asked abruptly.
“Yes,
there may be many but only one is thought to be for sure. But… anyone who has
crossed through has never come back. So who knows if it a real way to meet
them? The gateway, if you will, is behind the altar in the Temple of Batu Zassa in Mixcoatl.
It’s on Mount Vertias and opens only about every three hundred forty years.”
“Tell me more. He is a war god,
yes?”
“Yes, worshipped by a warmonger
race of people who sacrifice prisoners taken in battle and captured runaway
slaves to him. His symbol is a giant hammer and anvil. It was believed those
who cannot answer his questions upon entering the next life souls are crushed
and cast off into eternity. Those who answer correctly are allowed to pass into
the next world or life. What is your interest in gods, Ankius? We will all meet
them one day.”
“I
want to ask them directly, as a living breathing man, why there is so much
suffering in this world and why are we here. Are we made to suffer for their
entertainment and enjoyment like those dying in Onyx every week? Do they listen
to our pleas? No gods saved any man or woman before I ran them through. Did
they simply ignore their last cries for help? Do they really even exist,
Tallshadow?”
“I think they do… but men fail to
understand the nature of their being. I think they are all too much like us,
only far more powerful. The gods are to us as you are to a city of ants. Can an
ant understand a man, Ankius?”
Ankius smiled “Perhaps I do not
exist. We may be only alive in the ants’ imagination”
“Some say that is the real nature
of things. This is all an illusion.” Tallshadow smiled, which was rare for
him.
He continued, “If you really are serious, tomorrow, I
will check the calculations and see where we are in the cycle. If the time was
right and I were a younger man, I may go with you to find the answers.”
“Find out for me and where is this
place?”
“The Temple of Batu Zassa is far, far to the west across the
vast ocean in the heart of the Ictinikes Mountains. It can tale several years
of trouble free travel to get there. From here, one would follow the sun
through the amethyst forest, across the great waste to the port city of Akkada
Mora. There one would have to find passage on a ship to the kingdom of Uruk.
Few venture so far. The Ictinikes Mountains are on the western edge of the
kingdom or even beyond her borders. Little is known of the people there.”
The next afternoon, Ankius came to
visit Tallshadow about their conversation the night before.
“So where in the cycle are we?”
Tallshadow laughed. “It is not that
simple. The calculations will take time and I still have my normal duties to
carry out. I see you are serious, Ankius.”
“I am. I want an audience with the
gods. They will hear me.”
“And if this way is not possible?”
“With what you have taught me, I
will find or make another.”
“Come again in three days. Leave me
now, young fool.”
Ankius knew better than to press
Tallshadow.
”Thank you, sir.” He left.
Ankius, with nothing
to do and a heavy heart, returned to the arena, not as a fighter but as a
spectator. He sat alone drinking ales in the seats reserved for King Horace and
his high officials watching the matches unfold below. Fighting had been like a
powerful drug for him. He had never experienced any exhilaration like the
victories here and had paid a steep price to be free of it. Just watching took
his mind off his loneliness, worries and uncertain future. For three days he
stayed only returning to The Quoroas to sleep. The time passed in a blur
Ankius went to see
Tallshadow.
“Perhaps this is
your destiny, Ankius. You will be able to pass through the gateway in three
years. It opens for only a month or so.”
“What do I need,
what do I have to do?”
“Get there, is all I
can tell you. You will have to learn how to pass through on your own, if you
make it that far. Remember, this may be nothing more than an ancient fable.”
“I’ll try.”
Ankius, if you do
pass through, forget everything you have ever learned about gods and other
worlds. I don’t know, but I suspect it will be like nothing we can even dare to
imagine.”
“I need to go. Tallshadow, I have
done as the king and you have asked me. When may I leave?”
“Please, think about what you are
doing. I think the king wants you to stay and one day replace General Winstanus…
I know this is not for you, but consider it. If you are about to be struck
down, it will be too late and we will not be able to help you. Here, you can
live a good long life free from the worries of most men.”
“You know such a life is not for
me, old friend. I want to see more and do more. I have wanted to leave this
city almost as soon as I sat foot in it. I want to move on.”
“I know. We cannot keep you here
against your will. You have kept your commitment, Ankius. Perhaps now it is the
king’s turn. I will go with you tomorrow and we can discuss the terms of your
freedom. You have added much value for both of us. King Horace is a good and
just man and he dos not break his word.”
The next day Tallshadow and Ankius
returned to The Quoroas to meet with the king. The three men met on the top of
the palace’s western most towers. The day was warm for the fall and a cloudless
blue sky stretched to all the horizons. They knew each other well, and King
Horace knew the day had come.
King Horace spoke. “I know why you
are here, Ankius. It seems my borders cannot contain your desire to roam the
world for new knowledge and adventure.
You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I’m sure Tallshadow had
told you, you can have a good long life here but he and I know that is not for
you. I release you to go as you wish, your obligations fulfilled. All I ask in
return is you carry the name of this kingdom with you, introducing your self as
a lord of King Horace, of Silvanus.”
“Thank you my king, and I will.”
Replied Ankius.
“You will always have a home here,
Ankius.”
“Free your heart as well. A
gladiator cannot let anyone in. You are free to care about others, now. You
will find no greater reward and no greater test of courage. Share your quest,
Ankius.” Tallshadow added.
Ankius did now know what Tallshadow
meant but in time, he would.
Ankius spent the next few days
preparing to leave. He bought a strong, light shield, chain mail armor and some
food. At least for the first leg of his trip, he could buy what he needed.
Ankius was used to long marches and only the biggest horses could support him.
He wanted to travel as light and as cheap as possible. He visited Bartholomus
and Elras at The Crimson Academy, one last time. They both urged him to
reconsider but knew him well enough to know his mind was made up.
“I saved you for a reason, Ankius
and it had nothing to do with The Onyx Arena. I don’t know the reason but I
know you are destined for many great deeds of good. Go find them.” Bartholomus
Said.
Elras, his old instructor, added,
“As good as you are, there are always ones better. Avoid battle whenever
possible. Life is a precious gift, even for your enemy. So long old friend, go
find your destiny.”
Ankius
sat out at last, a truly free man. Winter was not far behind him.
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