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A Return to Roots
Reply
My blog is entitled “disabledandemployed” intentionally. When I began this effort two years ago, I wanted to inform and inspire the disabled community in terms of the value people with disabilities offer the business sector. Well, life has an insistent pattern of putting up obstacles to one’s intentions, and I haven’t maintained the blog very consistently.
This morning, hearing this story on NPR, I was reminded that inspiration is all around us. Check it out: http://storycorps.org/listen/
Senate vote on the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”
Let’s not talk about “disability.”
Let’s talk about “equity.” “Leadership.” “Representation.” And so many other things that comprise the job of a United States Senator.
When I think of a senator, I think of my boyhood as the son of a national Capitol Hill correspondent. I was incredibly fortunate enough to have inside access: I attended a few congressional hearings, I sat in the press galleries above the Senate and House floors, I shook hands with Senators and Representatives. I watched, with the awe and reverence of a boy, government in action.
So, as an adult, perhaps I hold our leaders even more accountable for their actions. And their actions this week – regarding the Senate vote Tuesday on the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” – are petty, cold, and even irresponsible.
Honestly, I’m not going to say it better than the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. John Kerry: “This is one of the saddest days I’ve seen in almost 28 years in the Senate and it needs to be a wakeup call about a broken institution that’s letting down the American people, We need to fix this place because what happens and doesn’t happen here affects millions of lives. Today the dysfunction hurt veterans and the disabled and that’s unacceptable.”
But here’s what I am going to say (not more eloquently, but more strongly, than Sen. Kerry):
Prove it, Senator – show that it’s unacceptable. This is no time for lip service, because the momentum, the structure, the political tide indicates that a vote on this treaty will be re-introduced in the next legislative session. Don’t back off now. You, and other leaders, are in power – and you must speak truth to power: “… What happens and doesn’t happen here affects millions of lives.” This isn’t about pointing fingers or assigning blame. It is time to do what’s right, it is time to lead, it is time to represent the under-represented.
This is not a set back, America – this is an opportunity.
What can we – as constituents, as citizens – do to help?
– Call your senator and express your support for the treaty
Vote!
With so many negative aspects to focus on, I’m going to focus on a positive one: access. You have a job to do – vote. Make it your passion to make it possible for others to be able to vote also …
http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2012/11/05/to-matter-your-right-to-vote-requires-access/
Polling Place Accessibility
I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful October – National Disability Employment Awareness month. Last year, I was far more attuned to the cause than this month. But life is significantly different for me at this time.
One of the most important facets of American democracy is our right to vote. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to live in a state (Oregon) with vote-by-mail opportunity. Our ballots have arrived – I have voted early. I want to acknowledge the effort and the citizenship of my fellow voters everywhere, and I would like to encourage you to help make it possible for everyone to vote. Offer a disabled neighbor a ride to the polls; help make your polling place accessible; do whatever it takes – and whatever you can – to make a difference.
Here’s a video to watch:
Summertime
I’m a little late with this one – at least for people on the East Coast who have had to manage their lives through especially oppressive heat, plus an especially violent storm. And maybe late, too, for those in the middle of the country who are suffering from the worst drought in 50 years.
But it’s an opportunity for those of us in the Pacific Northwest to express gratitude for mild temperatures and one of the wettest spring seasons on record. So, here’s a resource for those combating the summertime blues: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/medical.html
Happy Anniversary, ADA!
“Today, we mark the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
— a historic piece of civil rights legislation that affirmed Americans with
disabilities are Americans first.” – President Barack Obama
Read the complete presidential proclamation here
Today’s word is “Practice”
You ever feel like Mr. Rogers? You know, from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Today’s word is “PRACTICE.”
Do you remember trying to play an instrument for the very first time? It was hard to make the right notes come out. You can’t just pick up a recorder and play a song automatically. You have to practice the song.
Everyone needs to practice. Kids. Parents. Teachers. Musicians. Athletes. Everybody needs to practice. Sometimes it’s called “rehearsal.” Sometimes it’s a “scrimmage.” At school, it might be a “quiz.” In baseball, they call it “spring training.” It’s still practice.
People can have different kinds of practice. Like a daily practice. Or a spiritual practice.
A practice isn’t just a habit. A habit can be something unintentional – something you do without really thinking about it. A practice is something you – or a coach, or an instructor, or a guide or mentor – intentionally make time for. You do it not out of habit, but out of rationality. (I feel myself getting a little more advanced than “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” now.) Practice can fulfill you, ground you, provide a foundation you can build on.
We’ve all heard the expression “practice makes perfect.” I remember a recent conversation with an amateur guitarist who made the commitment to practice. He told me he had attended a workshop by a professional guitar player who advised him to practice a song enough times that “muscle memory” formed. Then he would be able to play the song without thinking about how to play the song. The result is better fluency – just like practicing your accent in the high school’s language lab.
What does all this have to do with the disabledandemployed blog? I am just particularly alert today to the need for practice in my life – to realize more clearly that some things I do (or write or say or cook) will not be ”perfect” immediately, if ever. There has to be practice – rough drafts, second tries, etc. It’s inevitable. And this realization will help me (and others) as I struggle to balance employment and disability. Right now, the balance is skewed too far to the side of disability – I will even things out.
So, can you say “PRACTICE?” Sure you can – let’s try it … “Prak-tis.” “Prak-tis.” Good. You can do it.
Now, I think I hear Trolley. Let’s practice going to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe …
Climbing Peaks
I am struck by the challenges we are all facing right now – personal, emotional, financial, physical, professional, and more. I, for example, am going through what I consider the most stressful period of my life. And, on more-than-one recent occasion, I have not been especially graceful (as in, full of grace), classy, or very understanding/gentle with myself.
A little perspective is a good thing: check out the attached story about the hands-only mountain climber. If Spencer can find his way to achieving his goals, then I will too.
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/33925/canadian+climbs+kilimanjaro+on+hands/#.T-ZavSiOb3u.email
disabledandemployed 