Welcome Ron, and thank you for enlightening us. 

Challenged individuals are often considered clumsy, inept, useless, failures, lazy, uneducated, incapable, inwardly focused.... anything but occupied with the challenges associated with their disabilities or handicaps.  It is much easier to label us this way, and to devalue us, than to afford us the consideration that we deserve, and need to thrive.  They are quick to judge us, based on our appearance as we present ourselves to the world.  But, they don't consider that we, like them, are putting our "best feet forward" as we interact with our environments.  They don't see the pain, suffering, or procedures that we must endure when we are far from their view.

The important thing is not to let these "trolls" steal your joys and triumphs from you.  Their opinions mean nothing in the overall scheme of things.  They do not feel your pain.  And, they are not in a position to judge.  Continue to fight the good fight, and to make inroads to your own recovery, and progress.

gentle hugs, dawn

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I have a partial disablement and I'm not stupid.

I get very annoyed when I see prejudice against anyone never mind just the disabled, because I've suffered a bit myself, I tend to be defensive and my wife moreso. (wow man, angry or what?)

My biggest bugbear is parking spaces allocated for disabled people and used by those who don't them. My daughter runs a sportswear store in a busy retail park. There are two spaces directly outside her store. And a notice to anyone parking without a permit. The car will clamped, removed and held, resulting in a huge fine, but still it occurs. And when I park there I get stared at simply because I am able to walk, not quickly or easily but it seems the genral public know more about medical conditions than the highly trained, well paid,caring medical consultants we have treating us. I suppose I'm just a whinger and should listen more to Joe Public than my doctors. Hey, maybe I could be cured.......

My Mum, who sadly passed away November gone, was almost confined to a wheelchair for around 3 years. She suffered Parkinsons disease and it changed a high standing, dignified lady into a crumbling facsimile of what she was. She was aware of everything going on, it was only her body that was affected, not her mind and yet, narrow minded idiots would frown on her because of how she looked. It eventually stopped her from leaving the house because she felt intimidated. My Mum was an intelligent lady with many friends and was a caring soul who I have obviously taken up the mantle from, and until she passed away, I wasn't aware of everything she did for others when I was a child. To see her discriminated against because she had this debilitating condition was unjust. Her life had become a struggle and people these days are just NOT caring enough or aware.

But what if it was them?

That's all from me for now...

many blessings

Ron X X

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Welcome Bruce, and thank you for the link....

You signed this petition at:
1:53 PM PST, Jan 6, 2006

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Thanks a heap LisAnne for in viting me to join this group and most of all for becoming my new friend.  I am not disabled (except senile and klutzy) but do and have had lots of friends and neighbors and a couple relatives who are and have earned my greatest respect.

Say, would you please send an invitational message to my cousin Paul who has been wheel-chair bound (not sure how you say it) for about 30 years since an accident when young?  Use my recommendation, but he won't do some things that I ask him -- like join care2 or sign my Cheney petiition, who I consider is no friend of any of us!

There's another thanks I want to send you: for signing

MR. CHENEY, We need to hear from you!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/263308738

Maybe other members of the group have not seen the petition yet, either.  Please check it out.  Cheney would love to eliminate any benefits any humans receive from the goverment and give it all to the rich!  For more info, email me at address below or use care2 message.

Anyway, back to Paul, just tell him I said he was a neat, smart, and compassionate guy but make it so you are inviting him yourself, if you know what I mean.  Email Pabs2@cox.net

Thanks for now, and take care LisAnne.  Oh, I prefer my email at:  bcombs@ecologyfund.net

Love, peace, etc.,  Bruce

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LisAnne for the invitation

Happy to be here!

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Welcome Steve and Marie.  I don't know much about ataxia.  Maybe you can tell us something about it Steve. 

TTS sound very painful Marie.  I have had 5 CTR and I know that it goes through stages of good and bad times.  I can't imagine having it in your feet!  Good for you that you are doing well now. 

Welcome to the group, and we look forward to your contributions.  I would like for everyone to tell us about their disorders, or diseases.  We can read about them, or hear about them on talk shows.  But, you only really understand when someone who suffers the ailment relates their conditions.

Would you all be interested in a thread where these could be discussed?

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Hello everyone my name is Shelley and I am new to this group.  Can't wait to meet you all.  Thanks for the invite Lisanne.

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Hi, I am Judianne from New York and thank you Lyn for the invite. I am sure I am going to like it here. Will wander around a bit. I caught a phrase as I was looking around - you don't have to look disabled to be disabled - that is so true ... we have disabilities that are not always visable. We are humans and deserve to be treated with respect.

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Lots of activity here since I left the east coast in the end of February.  We made it to Tacoma.  But, I am still using the laptop.  And, I still have a final move to make, probably in another week.  So, everything is temporary right now.  But, I thought I would drop in and say hello, and welcome all newcomers....

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Thanks LisAnne - Thanks for the invite kiddo.

Shalom

LynZ

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Thanks for leading me to this group. I am very proud to be a new member.

Both my mother and daughter are survivors of brain injury. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful group.

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Hi LisAnne, thanks for the invite

I'm from Ohio, also.

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Howdy, I'm Dillion from Virginia.

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WELCOME!!!

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