MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'disablism'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:20:21 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524323&cid=t_116122_109_f&fid=35088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqw88nb88.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F02%2Fi-need-to-write-a-letter-to-my-boss%2F [* THIS POST IS A PART OF BLOGGING AGAINST DISABLISM DAY 2010] Or perhaps, just deliver an explanatory document to my boss and the HR (Human Resources) person at my second job. My annual review was okay; very good on some things, okay on others, some recommendations (there always are — no one is perfect [...] (Source: Andrea's Buzzing About:) Andrea's Buzzing About: blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524323 Sun, 02 May 2010 07:10:34 +0100 3524323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3411237&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fi-cant-wait.html Duncan had another appointment with the dentist this morning. Lady and Thomas have both started school now (more on that later- but it's going well) so it was just the two of us. The 1st time we were at that dentist it was a huge struggle to get him in the building. He stood outside crying for ages while I tried to reason with him. We made it into the waiting room where The Tweenies was playing on a tv, henceforth that room was known as "The Tweenies Room." Duncan utterly refused to leave the room so the dentist came to him and after Thomas modelled the procedure, Duncan consented to allow the dentist a brief glimpse inside his mouth right there. On the next visit he made it to the examination room but not onto the chair, though he did enjoy moving the stuffed dinosaur with the big teeth u... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3411237 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:18:00 +0100 3411237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327229&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fwords-language-attitudes-and-actions.html There's a campaign to encourage people to rethink the words they choose to write and say. Today, March 3 2010, has been chosen as a day to focus on these issues.Words matter, language matters. When people decide to use as slurs and insults, words that originated as diagnostic labels for various disabilities and/or for various categories of mental illness, real and manufactured ("hysteria") then they contribute to a culture that marginalises people. Disabled people are dehumanised by these words. A society that tolerates the use of slurs like r*t*rd and sp*st*c as equivalent to stupid, useless, pathetic, hateful or annoying, legitimises the hatred that leads to the abuse, murder, forced drugging and sterilisation and discarding of so many disabled people in this country and all around the w... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327229 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:14:00 +0100 3327229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307027&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Forlando-holiday-part-1-flight.html We rose early on Tuesday morning and piled cases, wheelchairs and bodies into the car bound for Dublin airport. Once parked and in the airport, we'd only a short wait to drop of our bags then through security. So far, so fantastic. Duncan used his wheelchair (occasionally recreationally- see video!) though he did jump out every so often before sprinting after whatever took his fancy. No doubt folk observing were wondering what we were about, but sure, we're used to that!We were delighted to spot my sister at the departure gate. Now we had the full crew the holiday really was on course. When the plane was ready we were allowed to board early. Duncan sat at the window, me to his right, his dad and Thomas in front (in case he kicked the seat!) and Lady and my sister across the aisle from me. ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307027 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:21:00 +0100 3307027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223449&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwere-not-supporting-andrew-wakefield.html I started a group on Facebook for everyone who wishes to record their opinion on the Andrew Wakefield GMC rulings. Anyone who is/is closely connected to an autistic person is especiallywelcome. Join here:Parents and autistic people supporting GMC rulings against Andrew Wakefield I want to show that we do not all support Andrew Wakefield who despite the damning verdict against him, is unrepentant and said in his recent statement "It remains for me to thank the parents whose commitment and loyalty has been extraordinary."The newspapers writing about the guilty man also refer to his support base and in some ways imply that parents of autistic children are more inclined to stand behind the disgraced doctor.Please join the group and spread the word to show how we really feel about a man who has... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223449 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:17:00 +0100 3223449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208597&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdear-passengers-on-ei121.html So you've all booked a flight from Dublin to Orlando and luckily, you've chosen to go at the same time as me and my family. Some of you will, like us, be heading off for a bit of a holiday and hoping for sun, heat, roller coasters and perhaps some time at the home of the world's most famous rodent. It's likely that some of you will be travelling for work and others may be visiting family or returning home. Whatever the reason, I hope it's all good for you.I'm sure you understand that this route attracts many families with young children who are incredibly excited to be going on holiday to Disney World, and for whom the long flight can be quite a trial. I suggest that if you don't wish to be disturbed by their chatter and the hopefully infrequent but inevitable tears and tantrums, that you ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208597 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:38:00 +0100 3208597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634599&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fim-mummy-and-ill-vent-if-i-want-to.html I am so sick of this. There are some people who choose publicise their feeling of rage, hate and shock at having given birth to autistic children. On Gonzo's blog I read about one woman's horrible bile-filled blog post about her daughter. This child is 8 years old. Her mum describes her as "recovered from autism" whatever that means. But this girl still causes her mum so much pain because she just isn't how she's supposed to be (link broken deliberately). The mother complains that her daughter isn't into dolls and make up, but prefers to goof about, play computer games or ride a scooter. I mean, how dare the child resist the gender role assigned to her. If she doesn't start with the make up by 8 she'll never know how to apply liquid liner properly.But mum has more to say. She is jealous of... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634599 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:00:00 +0100 2634599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523549&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Faction-for-children-ad-demonising.html In January, a major UK children's charity, Action for Children, released a television advertisement ostensibly about the help they had offered an autistic boy. It gave however, a shockingly inaccurate, damaging and offensive portrayal of autism and I and several others (listed here) wrote about the ad and contacted the charity with our concerns. Action for Children responded with a form letter apologising for upsetting us, as if that made it all OK, but ignoring all our valid explanations of why the ad was wrong. I created a Facebook group as a way of mobilising support and attention on the issue quickly and in a few weeks, over 2600 people had joined. The ad was supposed to have run for 3 weeks but was pulled after only 2.In January, I complained to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523549 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:28:00 +0100 2523549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523550&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fmt-letter-to-asa-about-action-for.html Now that the ASA have ruled that the monster ad did not breach their code of practise, I will publish in full the letter I submitted about the ad. I will shortly publish my view on the ruling and Action for Children's response.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Complaints Reception TeamAdvertising Standards AuthorityMid City Place71 High HolbornLondonWC1V 6QT31 January 2009 Dear Sir or Madam, While I commend the work Action for Children does as a charity, and have no doubt of their good intentions, I object to this campaign and contend that it breaches the CAP Code for TV advertising, section 11.3.4, relating to ethical responsibility, in the following ways. 11.3.4(b) The problem AFC seeks aid for is exaggerated by the use ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523550 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:02:00 +0100 2523550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442357&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fentrenched-evil-doing-in-ireland.html We all knew what to expect. It is still shocking though when you read the report, or, as much of it as you can stomach. The people of the church carried it out, they covered it up. Generations of children had their lives ruined, and in some cases, taken. The state conspired with the church leaders to hush the suffering children and to ensure that their pain wasn't made known beyond the cold stone walls of the orphanages, reformatories, "care" homes for disabled children and industrial schools. What was done to these children was brutal, far worse than the accepted level of child abuse tolerated at almost all schools in the country, the run of the mill beatings and canings by teachers which were legal and known as corporal punishment. These were an expected part of education in those not fa... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442357 Thu, 21 May 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2442357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376563&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fautism-culture-in-salon.html Via Michelle Dawson's Autism Crisis blog, I have just read a recent Salon article about the supposed "burgeoning "autism culture" movement". This is presented as an idea with which "not all parents or medical experts agree." Amazingly, Elizabeth Svoboda the article's author, totally misrepresented the work Michelle Dawson does and just invented a belief system for her. Ms Svoboda did not contact Michelle before writing about her. Michelle works as an autism researcher but is mistakenly called a "autistic-rights crusader" who "convinced the Canadian Supreme Court to overturn an appeal that would have provided state funding for ABA therapy." Read Michelle's post to learn the truth about her court appearances.Ms Svoboda writes, Like the deaf culture movement before it, the so-called autistic ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376563 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:16:00 +0100 2376563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365333&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fhorse-mum-gets-in-touch.html I was very interested to read a few comments on my "Horse Boy" blog post from Kristin Neff, the mother of the child featured in the book. I don't think she likes what I had to say.I am happy to respond to her comments but since she wrote so much, I thought it warranted a separate blog post.My comments will be in red below.Comment 1 Might be a good idea to read the book before slamming it. I have not slammed the book so much as the media articles I have read and listened to about the book and by the book's author. I have read several long excerpts from the book in a UK newspaper and listened to a detailed and uncritical radio interview with your husband on Irish radio. I have made it clear that my criticisms are based on all these.It's amazing how quick people are to judge things, with almo... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365333 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:19:00 +0100 2365333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260233&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fspecial-needs.html What do people think of the term "special needs" to mean disabilities? I don't like it. I know it's in common use. Disabled children in UK schools who need them are allotted (often after a fight from their parents against intransigent education authorities) statements of special educational needs. When I lived in outer London, we used a toy library and went to a fantastic playgroup at the Project for Children with Special Needs. In fact, in my old Borough (Richmond Upon Thames) there are a whole load of services with the "special needs" label.It strikes me however as an anachronistic term. I don't know of any disabled person who would describe themselves as having special needs, sort of like normal people but with extra, special additional needs. It is a term I think, only parents and prof... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260233 Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:51:00 +0100 2260233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177568&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Faction-for-children-abolish-odious-ad.html The monster was saddened by his premature dismissal.Something smells good today.Our coalition of bloggers, Facebook users, disability organisations and exceedingly obliging autism professionals, have partially succeeded. Action for Children had previously expressed their intention to air the monstrous autism ad on television until February 15 in emails to Barbara Jacobs and to Mike Stanton:"Action for Children is a major provider of services for disabled children, including some with autism. We have other significant areas of work as well, and are a leading charity working with over 178,000 of the most vulnerable children, young people and their family members.The advert will be running until the 15th February. If you would like to further your complaint or concerns about our advertisement... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177568 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:24:00 +0100 2177568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2156537&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Faction-for-children-arrant-hypocrisy.html I've been reading a document that is full of excellent advice on how to portray children in film and photographs(PDF link). According to the authors, images used in publicity material must portray a:"A positive message – Children are at the centre of everything we do, and we know for certain that children want to be portrayed in a positive way in themedia. There is no point in fighting for children’s rights, if we then underminethis work, by using imagery that they will find offensive. This is in fact one ofour organisation’s pledges."Before I share more of the sensitive and considerate advice contained in this document, I will reveal that the organisation who have pledged that they will not use offensive imagery as it undermines efforts to effect children's rights, is...Action for C... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2156537 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:46:00 +0100 2156537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2153007&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fprofessor-simon-baron-cohen-speaks.html I've been granted permission to share a recent email I received from Professor Baron-Cohen of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University regarding the current advertising campaign by Action for Children:"Whilst I support any efforts to help children with autism and to alleviate suffering, I hope there will be more thought given to both the language and the imagery we use, to avoid risk of offence. For example, the name of the charity DAN contains the word "Defeat", as if autism is a disease like cancer against which we have to wage war. Autism is a complex mix of disability and strength, and whilst we need to work to find imaginative ways to reduce the disabling aspects, we do not wish to "defeat autism" since this would also eliminate the positive aspects. The latter include an ex... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2153007 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:47:00 +0100 2153007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147620&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Ftony-attwood-slams-action-for-children.html Mike Stanton has posted an email on his blog, which gives the response of Tony Attwood, a well known researcher on autism to the Action for Children ad. We have been given permission to share what he had to say:“I am very concerned that the advert gives a message that children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome are dangerous and potentially disturbed.When the child refers to “correct errors in my behaviour” this seems to imply ‘brain washing’ and a sense of guilt for how he behaved.Many of the behaviours I consider as coping mechanisms for the lack of understanding and respect from other people.He refers to reacting when people insult him. Those that insulted him need the treatment.”There is no mistaking it.There is no way Action for Children can wriggle out of this and try ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147620 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:47:00 +0100 2147620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2134776&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Faction-for-children-new-film-about-dan.html I made a video using Bev's improved illustrations.The Action for Children campaign isn't merely offensive. After all, no one has the right not to be offended. The problem is that it misrepresents autism, portraying it as an external monster to be defeated. The problem is the damage it will do to the self esteem of young autistic people in particular. The problem is the way in which this ad contributes to the mass of misinformation and prejudiced, negative rhetoric about autism in the media and wider society. The problem is, parents of recently diagnosed children will see this advertisement and worry unnecessarily about their children and may be more willing to fall for the false promises of the shamans selling dangerous and expensive, quack autism "treatments."The comments on our Facebook ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2134776 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:02:00 +0100 2134776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2132541&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Faction-for-children-rotten-campaign.html I had a reply from Gary Day of Action for Children to my letter of complaint regarding their campaign:"Thank you for your recent e-mail concerning our current advertisingcampaign. I am sorry that the current 'Dan' TV advert has upset you thiswas never our intention.Action for Children's new advert focuses on how we as a charity help to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people. It is focussed on the real story of Dan who has autism. The advert is the second of three, which all take real and different stories from children and young people across our different areas of work.As a charity we're committed to giving vulnerable children and young people a voice about issues that affect them-and this approach was central to the way we designed and produced the ads, and ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2132541 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:50:00 +0100 2132541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2131357&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fautistic-children-demonised-by-action.html I was having a pleasant enough evening though Duncan was finding it hard to settle to sleep and boinged up and down the stairs with his wind-up torch and battered Green Eggs and Ham book. I'd enjoyed the splendid @stephenfry on the rehabilitated @wossy show and was impressed by just how much Tom Cruise resembles a 3/4 size Michael-6. I'd a case of itchy remote finger so flicked the channels about a bit, and then I saw it: an horrific new advertisement by the charity Action for Children.A few minutes later I saw that Mike had already blogged about it and presented his reasoned objections to the ad. He has also transcribed the voice over:"I used to lash out if something pushed my buttons or I wasn’t able to do something. Things that wound me up were if they’d insulted me I would physical... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2131357 Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:38:00 +0100 2131357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107784&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fshort-mostly-happy-post.html Duncan likes to look at this blog, in particular at his pictures, films and photos. He cuddled beside me just now as I clicked onto the archives for November looking for the link to my "Flying Virgin" post. He smiled at the photo of him sleeping next to me and said, "Mummy is holding Duncan. Mummy is keeping Duncan safe and Duncan is happy on the Virgin aeroplane."Oh boy, he melts my heart. Being with this amazing child is the antidote to the vicious disablism evident in the comments on a CiF piece in the Guardian yesterday. By the time I read it there were 125 comments so I couldn't even be bothered to address the cruel misunderstandings and insults. Bah.On another topic, Thomas and Lady both received good news at their gymnastics class yesterday. Both were complimented by a senior coach ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107784 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:48:00 +0100 2107784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097956&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fprenatal-tests-and-curing-autism-in.html Checking the Guardian late last night, I saw a glut of autism headlines. The first is New research brings autism screening closer to reality.Baron-Cohen and his team have just published on their study tracking 250 children, all of whom had amniotic fluid testosterone levels tested prenatally. These non-autistic children's consequent development has been studied until they were 8 years old. I have not managed to source the study paper but on the ARC website I read:So far we have only conducted studies of typical individual differences and found that foetal testosterone is inversely associated with social development, language development, and empathy; and that foetal testosterone is positively associated with systemizing and number of autistic traits.So, based on this, the papers are shouti... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097956 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:44:00 +0100 2097956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033272&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fmore-dicussion-on-prenatal-testing_11.html A recent post generated some great discussion. My reply there became too long, so I've put it down as another post.In an earlier comment I wrote:“Gonzo Girl mentioned that she thought more DS births was good, not because it's more evidence of a caring society (as interpreted by The Mail) but because people will know more about how life can really be for people with DS when they have more chances to meet such people.”(I should have made it clear that this is just how I interpreted what The Gonzo Girl had written, but I could be wrong. I hope I have not misrepresented her position.)In response, Tom wrote: This is an interesting statement, and one that didn’t really get addressed on BadScience through all the shouting. It seems to me that, if only for social reasons it admits that there... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033272 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:34:00 +0100 2033272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011195&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fprenatal-testing-and-disability.html There have been several articles in the UK media recently about prenatal testing and the number of children with Down Syndrome born each year. Some stories have suggested that an increase in the number of children born with Down syndrome, suggests that we're living in a more caring and accepting world, while others have criticised the interpretation of the data, suggesting that the percentage of fetuses with Down syndrome to be aborted has not changed.Via Michelle Dawson's TMoB board, I discovered a couple of articles in the Times, one which disgusted me and one which I cheered. The first, by Minette Marrin, contains many outstandingly ignorant and prejudiced statements, like this:I am convinced that it is a grave misfortune for babies to be born with Down’s or any comparably serious syn... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011195 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:52:00 +0100 2011195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879858&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fsend-comments-to-nbc.html Last week I put up a post concerning a skit on NBC's Saturday Night Live, where the whole "joke" was making fun of a disabled person.Well NBC thinks it's so funny they have the clip up on the SNL web site.I just registered to make comments, and posted one myself.I invite others to do the same.Sorry there's no picture for this post. I'm rushing off to work. (Source: Club 166) Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879858 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:24:00 +0100 1879858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1853596&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fsnl-and-disability-not-pretty.html So I tuned in to Saturday Night Live on Saturday evening (mostly to see what they would do after the Vice-Presidential debate this last week).They had a very funny opening, and a couple of good bits. Then they did this "Lawrence Welk" bit:It started out OK. I am old enough to remember going to my grandparents' house as a kid, and being forced to watch the Lawrence Welk Show whenever it was on. It was corny even back then, and seemed a fitting thing to lampoon. Then it got to about the 2 minute mark, where it appeared that the essence of the bit was how weird and disgusting the physically disabled sister was. I was totally disgusted. I guess that it's still OK to laugh at the disabled, even if you're SNL. (Source: Club 166) Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853596 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:43:00 +0100 1853596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455489&cid=t_116122_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F279304093%2Fblogging-against-disablism-day-may-1st.html We're up to 82 bloggers at last count.Please consider donating your time May 1st to post about the effects of/your experiences with disability discrimination. Visit Goldfish's page for more info.What it's all about:Blogging Against Disablism Day is an annual event in which disabled and non-disabled bloggers throughout the world unite in the cause of equality. On May 1st, bloggers shall write about their experiences, observations and thoughts about disability discrimination (disablism, sometimes ableism) and what we might do about it.One of the best things about health and medblogging is the ability to combine our voices. Please consider adding yours. (Source: Health Management Rx) Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455489 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:11:00 +0100 1455489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=589128&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fet-tu-brute.html photo credit- SeraphimCWhat could be worse than making an ignorant statement regarding someone with a disability? Why, to make it on Blogging Against Disablism day, on your blog, while blogging against disablism!Two days ago I wrote about my fears regarding when societal attitudes regarding race intersect with ingrained reactions of police when they encounter citizens with autism. And, as Tokah pointed out, while talking about how autism is an invisible disability, I said, "...You're not confined to a wheelchair, you don't need a cane, and your body moves just fine. ..."Tokah rightly (and kindly) pointed out that a chair is an instrument that facilitates mobility, and not one of confinement.At first, I couldn't believe I had actually said what I did. I didn't remember saying that, and had ... Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=589128 Fri, 04 May 2007 05:54:00 +0100 589128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=583185&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35098&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclub166.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fdark-thoughts.html My blog contribution to "Blogging against Disablism" DayEveryone has secret fears for their child with a disability. For some, it's that their child will grow up alone, without friends. For others, it's that their child will some day be institutionalized, with all the terror that may involve. For me, it's that my son will some day be shot and killed because of his autism. Or rather, because of the fact that he is autistic and black.One of the less pleasant aspects of Buddy Boy's being autistic is that he frustrates rather easily, and responds in what are usually considered inappropriate and belligerant manners. Don't get me wrong. 95% of the time Buddy Boy is the sweetest kid you'd ever want to meet. His speech may be a little stilted at times, but he's loving, considerate, smart, and funn... Club 166 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=583185 Tue, 01 May 2007 07:55:00 +0100 583185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=579918&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikestanton.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F01%2Fdisablism-and-autism%2F April was Autism Awareness Month in the USA. Its ending coincides with Blogging Against Disablism Day, May 1st. On this day we are invited to write on any subject, specific or general, personal, social or political, anything which states an objection to the differential treatment of disabled people. So I thought I would write about the misrepresentation of autism in the media. There was  a lot of that last month. There were attempts to link autism to the tragedy at Virginia Tech. There were misleading press reports in the UK that ABA had doubled the IQ of autistic children. I could have selected any of the media coverage of an “autism epidemic” caused by exposure to environmental toxins, vaccines. Then there are all the articles which refer to autism as “this devast... Action For Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=579918 Tue, 01 May 2007 00:38:00 +0100 579918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=580670&cid=t_116122_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fmotor-mouth-who-knew-speech-delay-could.html I most certainly am. Or usually I am, quite a chatterbox, but lately I’ve had my "jaws" strung together with elastic. 3 months now, and believe me, it’s no laughing matter, even if I could open my mouth to do so. Dis abled? What a politically charged term. But I have the medical charts to prove it. Has my quality of life been impaired? You bettya! Liquid diet and no bits, is about as boring as you can possibly get. My condition is a temporary one. Furthermore, I only have myself to blame, as the jaw surgery was a choice, self induced. Maybe I should have had brain surgery first to forestall such foolishness? For others, their circumstances did not involve an element of choice nor is it temporary. I could give you a list of my chums over the years who are categorized into this or that l... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=580670 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:52:00 +0100 580670