Disability is Natural Announcements
The Disability is Natural Free Press
Copyright February 2002 by Kathie Snow
IN THIS EDITION:
--- HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY (AND A SWEET FEBRUARY DEAL)!
--- REVOLUTIONARY COMMON SENSE
--- PRESUME COMPETENCE GOODIES COMING SOON!
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
February is the month of hugs, kisses, candy, and other sweet gifts! I hope your Valentine's Day is full of love. When you're sending out your Valentine cards, make sure people with disabilities in your life get their fair share of love notes! And if you're the parent of a child with a disability, let your child send Valentines to as many other children as possible! Let's create community this month!
In the spirit of Cupid, BraveHeart Press is offering a FREE GIFT OR A SPECIAL OFFER with every purchase of my book, "Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities" during the month of February.
Here are your choices when you buy the book: a free "Disability is Natural" mouse pad, a free "Disability is Natural" five inch window decal, or $5.00 off one "Disability is Natural" T-Shirt.
HERE'S HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SWEET FEBRUARY DEAL (and this offer is only available to readers of this Email announcement):
If ordering on the web www.disabilityisantural.com go to the "store" page, place your order, and type which special offer you want in the "promotional code" box.
If you choose the discounted T-Shirt, your credit card will be billed the full amount, but you'll receive a $5.00 rebate check with your order.
If ordering by phone (toll free 1-866-948-2222), mention the "Sweet February Deal" and tell us which special offer you want.
If ordering by mail (BraveHeart Press, PO Box 7245, Woodland Park, CO 80863), write "Sweet February Deal" on your order and indicate which special offer you want. If you choose the discounted T-Shirt, deduct $5.00 from your order.
Make your Valentine or yourself happy on the 14th (but this "Sweet Deal" is good for the entire month of February)! Remember, this offer applies only with the purchase of the "Disability is Natural" book.
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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN . . .
(The following is excerpted from the February/March issue of the "Revolutionary Common Sense" subscription newsletter.)
Parents and friends of people with disabilities are routinely faced with questions, comments, and/or stares from both curious (rude?) and well-meaning strangers. While many of us have developed a "stock answer" we can repeat without thinking, we sometimes wish we had a snappy comeback. I have some answers! We'll let humor come to the rescue!
First, however, it's important to recognize that we can take the time to educate people, if we feel like and if we have the time. At the same time, we don't owe anyone an explanation about a person with a disability. (What's happened to good manners???)
Here's a little story to illustrate this last point. When a child with autism, for example, goes ballistic in the grocery store check out line, many a Mom will take the child by the hand, turn to the congregated onlookers, and say, "He has autism" as a way to explain the child's behavior.
How many children who DON'T have disabilities go ballistic in the grocery store? And when that happens, does the mom grab her child's hand and say, "He takes after his father?" She doesn't feel the need to apologize or explain about her child's behavior. Frankly, it's nobody's business! So if people don't apologize or try to explain the behavior of individuals who DON'T have disabilities, why should we?
Now, on to using humor! (Keep in mind you need to tell the person with a disability what your plans are, so he or she can be in on the scheme.)
When someone asks, "What happened to him?" a husband and wife can point to each other and simultaneously say, "He/She did it!" and then laugh uproariously!
Or, you can say, "A meteor landed in our neighborhood last night, and every (boy, teenager, or whoever) was affected like this! Do YOU know what it could be?"
If a stranger asks, "Was she born like that?" respond with a big grin. And with great pride oozing from your voice, say, "Yes, he has the Albert Einstein syndrome!" (You can substitute the name of any other famous person---Marilyn Monroe, Zoo, Barbie, Bob Dole, etc.---or use any other funny descriptor like eggplant!)
Alternatively, you can respond with, "Gee! I don't have much time right now, but let me take your number and I'll call you tonight. What time would be good for you?" and start digging in your purse for a pencil and paper.
If you're being stared at, grin your biggest grin, wave like you're Miss America, and call out, "Hi! So good to see you!" as if you've just laid eyes on your favorite movie star!
As much as possible, the person with the disability should take part in these responses! Kids can do the grinning and the waving, and an adult with a disability can proudly state, "I have the Eggplant (or any other silly term) Syndrome."
Humor can protect a person's privacy and feelings, and it can take the power away from slings and arrows. Instead of feeling hurt or angry, let humor come to the rescue!
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REVOLUTIONARY COMMON SENSE
The February-March issue of the "Revolutionary Common Sense" newsletter is arriving in mailboxes in the next few days. Here are three of this issue's many features:
---Developmental Age vs. Chronological Age: Children and adults with disabilities are frequently measured against a "developmental scale," and then assigned a "developmental age." This practice results in a variety of harmful effects on an individual with a disability. Isn't it time to replace this practice with common sense strategies that include supports and accommodations?
---On Becoming a Business Owner: Cary Griffin, one of the leaders in state-of-the-art employment practices, shares strategies which can lead to self-employment for people with disabilities.
---Life Beyond the Label: What can happen when we stop using disability labels? How will life change for an individual with a disability when we focus on people's interests and needs instead of the labels they've been assigned?
The "Revolutionary Common Sense" newsletter is available for $16.95 per year, for six bi-monthly issues. It can be ordered from the web site www.disabilityisnatural.com by phone (toll-free 1-866-948-2222), or by mail (BraveHeart Press, PO Box 7245, Woodland Park, CO 80863).
Upcoming issues will include features on inclusive recreation, reinventing DD agencies, informal assessments for inclusive education, and much more revolutionary common sense!
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MORE "PRESUME COMPETENCE" GOODIES COMING SOON!
The poster, badge, and key ring which proclaim, "When you see, meet, or think about a person with a disability, PRESUME COMPETENCE," have been popular items. Many of you have asked when this powerful message would be available on T-Shirts and stickers! Well, the answer is very soon! Once we receive these items from our suppliers, we'll add them to the web site store and announce it via Email. Thanks for letting us know what you want!
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SUBSCRIBERS' GOOD NEWS!
Several subscribers generously agreed to share their good news and stories with readers of this announcement.
Katie Dolan www.disabilitytroubleshooters.com and I were in agreement that we didn't care for the label of "consumers" for people with disabilities. She then added, "I often tell our fellow parents to make sure THEY are in charge of the 'names' people put on their children. Otherwise, it's like naming your child Johann Sebastian Bach and letting everyone call him 'Stinky' the rest of his life!"
Lynne McKeag from Scotland (yes, SCOTLAND!) wrote about a recent parent support group meeting held shortly after the holidays. "Everyone was so positive about their children. I think this is the first meeting where we didn't have a parent in tears or on the verge of tears. When asked why everyone was so positive, it came down to the fact that they were among friends who understood how they felt and who didn't criticize or look down on their children. What a lovely way to start the new year!"
Lynne also shared this story: A dad heaped praise on his son, who happens to have Asperger's syndrome. The dad finished his compliments by proudly adding, "I don't know how I got a son like you." The 8-year-old immediately replied, "Come with me, Dad, and I'll show you on my Bodyparts CD-ROM."
Gary Wake of My Neighborhood, a self-determination project in Tennessee, shared the success story of a man with a disability who was finally able to get his own home. "He had to step through many hoops (including being told he couldn't sign for a mortgage, despite his competency), but this man now lives in a home he owns and shares with a friend. He still has many things he wants to accomplish, but having a house that belongs to him was a major accomplishment that he is very proud of. Thanks for reminding us to tell the stories of joy."
Gregg Schiller of Canada announced that www.selfadvocatenet.com recently won a major computer technology award from Reboot Canada for "Best Public Value." Check out this web site, by and for people with disabilities.
"Peggy" shared a story that illustrates how many of us have lost our common sense in disability-world. Another mom---"Mary"---took her child with a disability to an expensive sleep clinic, looking for a cure which would ensure her son would sleep through the night. After a three-hour visit, the mom was given the following professional recommendations: don't give the child a bottle in the middle of the night, let him cry for awhile, and be consistent. Peggy noted that these same recommendations can be found in almost every "baby book" she's ever read. But because Mary's child has a disability, the "problem" was seen in a totally different context and the family's insurance paid for this "sleep cure!"
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OTHER GOOD NEWS!
The TrackIR is a "reasonably priced ($300) mouse alternative" that allows a person to control his computer with head movement. Isn't assistive technology great! Check it out at
rjcooper.com/trackir
Rollershades Corp. is a new business started by Richard Goens, Jr., a person with a disability. The Rollershade is a wheelchair canopy that can be attached in minutes to any wheelchair that has grip handles on the back. It is designed to keep you cool on hot summer days, and dry on rainy/snowy days (the shade is waterproof). The Rollershade is available in hunter green, burgundy, and navy blue, and is priced at $80.00. Contact Richard via Email at goensr@hotmail.com or by phone at (626) 961-7702.
"Just Being Kids" is a new video about "supports and services for infants and toddlers and their families in everyday routines, activities, and places." A facilitator's guide accompanies the video; price for both is $75.00 plus $4.75 shipping and handling. The video and guide are from Larry Edelman and JFK Partners at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Early Childhood Connections at the Colorado Department of Education. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-232-8902 or visit the web site at http://www.media-products.com.
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Please feel free to share this Email with others, and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to visit www.disabilityisantural.com and check out what's new! While you're there, take a moment to share your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.
Happy Valentine's Day! And what better month than this one to remind you to always lead with a brave heart?
Kathie Snow
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