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I do not believe you are under ANY obligation to disclose a disability until you want to. Heck, I've been on a few first dates lately without mentioning the wheelchair first! <BR><BR>> Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:40:01 -0700<BR>> From: lucindap@comcast.net<BR>> To: algaelady@gmail.com; access@uueugene.org<BR>> CC: richardloescher@msn.com<BR>> Subject: Re: [Access] a question to ponder...<BR>> <BR>> Jeanne-Marie,<BR>> <BR>> I have hosted quite a few UU groups in my home over the past 12 years <BR>> and it never occurred to me that I should let people know I am in a <BR>> wheelchair.<BR>> At the first meeting I explain that I need people to reposition <BR>> furniture before leaving and that I serve only tea because that is <BR>> easiest for me to set up. I think the situation is analogous in most <BR>> ways to your own, at least as far as hoisting goes.<BR>> <BR>> I do disclose that I have cats as some people are allergic to them (as <BR>> you well know :-) ). You might want to let people know you have a dog as <BR>> some people may have real fear of large dogs (though how anyone could <BR>> think Waldo less than benign, I don't know). If people feel threatened <BR>> by wheelchairs or blindness, then an exposure to us may be truly <BR>> educational, and if it isn't, the one upset can always leave the group <BR>> or switch to another one.<BR>> <BR>> From a practical point of view, you are probably fairly well known to <BR>> most of the church by now because you have been a Worship Associate, <BR>> which is yet another reason disclosure of your blindness is not needed.<BR>> <BR>> Our UU principles state that we respect the dignity and worth of all <BR>> persons and believe in the interconnectedness of all beings. Thus I <BR>> cannot see that your blindness should interfere in any way with UUs <BR>> finding out what a wonderful person you are. Also "we stand on the side <BR>> of love." So be it.<BR>> <BR>> Cindy<BR>> <BR>> PS I hope you are healing rapidly.<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> jeannemarie moore wrote:<BR>> > Hi all,<BR>> ><BR>> > This is a direct accessibility question and I'd like feedback from the<BR>> > group... please reply to all so Dick Loescher can be included because, as of<BR>> > yet, I think he's not a member of the group...Dick if you'd like to join so<BR>> > you can be part of such discussions, please feel free...<BR>> ><BR>> > I'm gathering thoughts...<BR>> ><BR>> > if I am willing to be a host for UUs, is it part of advance "full<BR>> > disclosure" that they learn in advance that I am blind? I have not done<BR>> > this in my therapy practice or in my membership with Servas...<BR>> ><BR>> > I find myself feeling uncomfortable with this suggestion... and also want to<BR>> > be respectful that it might catch someone by surprise...and "going with it"<BR>> > is supposed to be part of it all, isn't it?<BR>> ><BR>> > I guess if someone finds out in advance and opts out, that's up to them...<BR>> > and I find myself asking:<BR>> > so do people need to disclose they are gay? Afro-American, use a walker...<BR>> > in advance of hosting strangers?<BR>> ><BR>> > I can understand someone who is deaf because of a potential barrier... I'd<BR>> > want to know that because I'm blind, but... if there are no generic<BR>> > communication difficulties except for someone else's potentially incorrect<BR>> > assumptions, ... what do y'all think?<BR>> ><BR>> > Thanks so much.<BR>> ><BR>> > Jeanne-Marie<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > _______________________________________________<BR>> > Access mailing list<BR>> > Access@uueugene.org<BR>> > http://www.uueugene.org<BR>> > http://www.uueugene.org/mailman/listinfo/access<BR>> ><BR>> > <BR>> <BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> Access mailing list<BR>> Access@uueugene.org<BR>> http://www.uueugene.org<BR>> http://www.uueugene.org/mailman/listinfo/access<BR><br /><hr />Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger. <a href='http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_072008' target='_new'>Get started.</a></body>
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