The Birds and the Bees and the Medical Politics of Perfection
I wanted to share my concern with you in response to several stories in the news, about the Ashley Treatment, and about bioengineering of "perfect" children. Abortions are actually being recommended for minor birthdefects. This "perfection on demand" attitude is spreading throughout the "civilized" world today. I wonder why this is?
Perhaps we no longer believe that a baby is a gift from God. Have we drifted into an arrogent vision of genetically engineered human life? Does a godless society believe that human worth is based on beauty?
One of my doctors has a club foot aquired after birth, as a result of Polio. After reading this article, several questions re the "New Ethics" arose in my mind. Is it ok to eliminate unborn babies who have club feet, but allow children who develop club feet as a result of disease or injury to live, go to school, and to even become doctors?
My brother's eldest child was born with a severe club foot. The doctor ordered a brace, and 24 hour home care performed by the parents. This treatment was so successful, that no one today could ever determine which foot was the club foot. My nephew played all sports, and served in the Air Force. My brother and his wife could not love him more.
What is it then, that causes some folks to believe it is better to abort that club foot baby, and try again for a "perfect" one?
I think, perhaps, it is the continued, and unaddressed "attitudes" we face in the community everyday. Making fun of others. Looking down on others. Demeaning, discouraging, and disincluding others who are considered not our equalls. Not Good Enough for us. It is our own feelings of inadequacy that alloows us to bully others, in an attempt to disasociate with those "undesireables" and to becole aligned with the "beautiful people." It is our fear, not their lack of worthiness, that is the real imperfection. We should be about perfecting ourselves, not our bodies. we should look to our heart, not to our "packaging."
One thing I have noticed is the confusion folks have over the Civil Rights Act of 1990. There seems to be a real disconnect with this Law. I hear many times folks tell me it means: "You must not treat disabled folks differently from other folks."
Huh? Somehow I think there is a major gap in criticle thinking skills here, if this is what folks believe.
I wish one could understand that what the Act, the ADA, requires Cities to do is to "identify" policies, practices, programs, activities, ordinances, etc, that discriminate against foplks with disabilities, and modify those policies, practices, programs, activities, ordinances, etc., so they no longer discriminate against PWDs.
It means we must identify barriers and remove barriers. So we don't handicap others whose abilities are different from ours.
It means there is nothing "wrong" with having a disability.
It means that PWDs have abilities, and need to go about their lives just like everyone else.
It means that to fail to identify barriers, and failure to remove barriers is to "handicap" PWDs so they have an unfair burdon, and are disadvantaged. It results in isolation, institutionalization, humilaition, shame, begging, poverty, lack of self esteem, etc, etc, etc.
Failure to identify and remove barriers is not only poor behavior, inhuman, and unethicle, it is also ILLEGAL!!
Perhaps someday we can abort babies who would grow up to alergic to bees, or peanuts? We could eliminate asthma this way, too? Maybe, we could develop sophisticated tests that would detect bad attitudes? We could then abort any potential bigot? Eliminate selfish, uncaring, self-centered folks from even blighting this earth.
Now that is one way to fight against this idea of inclusion!
Police arrest Disabled woman using guide dog in Cambridge MA
Above is a photo of Officer Helberg who arrested me on May 14th, 2004 for entering CVS in Harvard Sq. with my service dog after notice. The police report stated that I had shown them a copy of the ADA service animal law, and "lectured" them on my civil rights, so, because the store shift supervisor didn't want the dog in the store "because it looks like a wolf and might bite someone" they arrested me when I entered toe store to finish my shopping.This photo was taken on April 25th, 2006, in Central Sq. He said that if I tried to enter any store in Central Sq and the store owner didn't want the dog in there, if I didn't leave he would arrest me again. I asked him he he had recieved the training that Michael Muehe, the City's ADA coordinator claimed would "fix" this blatent discrimination against me based on my disability by "educating" the police about ADA law. That is public law 101-336. Officer helberg replied he hadn'r recieved any training about service dogs at all. then I informed him that the judge had dismissed the complaint against me, and I had filed a complaint against the City with MCAD. I also informed him the City had cut 1 1/2 min out of my 911 phone call. Here he is, right after I said that, scurring off, munbeling "I'm gonna check that out." I haven't heard from him since. I go into any store that other folks go into, accompianied by my servoice dog.Today I found a link to a story in Florida on another PWD's blog. here is part of the e-mail I sent to the City Council, the ADA coordinator, the Mass Office on Disabiulity, the Office of the Attorney general, and, of course, my rep and senator.......
In Florida a person who deliberately interfers with a PWD accompianied by their guide dog is subject to arrest. The story explains the manager claimed he knew the law but "their" policy was to require alternative placement for "the dog."
In Florida, alternative placement for "the dog"is not allowed.
Meanwhile, in Cambridge Ma, the City threatens to arrest me again, and confiscate my service dog again!!! The City had demanded "alternative placement" for "the dog" and called it a "reasonable accomodation"!!!
The last time the City of Cambridge arrested me for being accompianied by my service animal in a public accomodation the judge dismissed the charges. Does the City really think it can keep threatening me with arrest for being accompanied by use of my service dog like this.
Public Law 101-336 states that the City is required to modify it's policies to allow a person with a disability as defined by the ADA to be accompianied by their service dog anywhere the public is allowed to go.
Why is the City of Cambridge allowed to continue to threaten me with arrest for being accompianied by my service animal?? The City's behavior is outrageous! (please see previous post, service dogs banned in cambridge City Council)
SHAME SHAME SHAME on all of you! (adressed to the officials) Why have you failed to protect the Civil Rights of PWD's as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1990?
In Florida the one who willfully violates the Civil Rights of PWD's is arrested; in Cambridge the person who's civil rights is violated is arrested.
Gee, I think we are miles apart on this issue.
Trees Bloom in Confusion in Spring Like January Weather
These beautiful blossoms usually appear in April after the trees have enjoyed a long winters rest. However, the month long warm spell, including January temperatures in the 50's, have confused the trees into blooming 3 months early. With temperatures expected to reach the mid 60's on Saturday, look for other plants to spring forth blooms.
Immediately above is the Cherry tree on the corner Green and Putnam Streets. As you can see it is in full bloom in January!
Top photo shows one of the many trees in bloom on Perry Street.
Icy untreated sidewalks bar safe passage
Service dogs are unable to effectively aid PWD's with mobility disabilities when the sidewalk is covered with untreated ice.
Ice should be treated promply to assure folks don't slip and fall.
Here you can see what happens when we have even an inch of snow. On the side street, where there is little foot traffic, the sidewalk is still snow covered, and not a slippery sheet of ice. However, on the main sidewalk where many folks walk, turning the snow to slush, the slush freezes over night and forms an impassable sheet of ice. The City must enforce it's own policies on clearing snow and treating ice in a timely way. You can also see in this photo the curb ramp is iced up.
Jeff Bartley Welcomes Friends to the 15th Anniversary of Cantab's Popular Folk Nite
Jeff welcomes friends to the celebration of Cantab's 15th Anniversary of Folk Nite. This wonderful venue, held most Monday evenings for the past 15 years, is well loved and attended by experienced and budding song writers as well. drawing on local music schools and the Cambridge Community, Jeff attracts quality performers from across the country week after week to the delight of all!
A giant chockolat cake from Rosies tempted us all evening.
The house was packed with well wishers.
Bill McQuaid plays his 1931 National Style O single core ( Nickle Plated Brass) guitar, that some might refer to as a steel guitar.
Featured act, Scott Aleric, who has been heard on Prarie Home Companion, sang Bob Dylan's North Country Fair.
Christine slices the cake for a delicious finish to another wonderful open mike night at the Cantab!
