S12895MM@SEMASSU.BITNET (Myka) (06/13/91)
Index Number: 16030 I'm a graduate student in the Professional Writing program at Southeastern Massachusetts University. I have Cerebral Palsy, and hope to write for the handicapped community some day. Four years ago I earned my privet pilots licence. Oh, sure, there was the usual red tape (it was a long process, the FAA didn't just hand it to me) but I was amazed at how everything just fell into place after awhile. I get more flack renewing my driver's licence every four years. Then I got to thinking about how I approached the people I had to deal with. Although we are all responsible for the creation of our own little successes in life (the failures too) whether or not one benefits from the full measure of one's own potential, or only slightly, or not at all, is another matter. Some people simply never get the opportunity, while others, even those who are talented or gifted, never make an effort to extend themselves beyond a presumed set of limits often set out of hand by others on their behalf. A belief or a preconceived notion - the abilities of a handicapped person for example - is in itself a form of "collective" limit setting. It's the presumption of "failure" that affects both the scope of opportunity, and in turn, the quality of life. I believe there is a fundamental relationship between a handicapped person's ability to shape the mental pictures he or she communicates to others and the opportunity that person will have to achieve an extraordinary ability, like flying an airplane (life should have an edge to it), or in some cases any ability. When an artist paints, it is inevitable that certain facets of his or her personality will bleed true on the canvas. It's every bit as much a personal signature of style, texture and dimension, that makes a Picasso a Picasso, and a Rembrandt a Rembrandt. In much the same way, disabled persons who are articulate, in the way they express themselves to other human beings, are better understood. Not in terms of what they say or how they say it, or in the mechanics of body language, but more importantly, in the mental picture they convey of themselves to others. It is the precision in how one creates that mental picture, during the entire process of communicating, that makes opportunities happen. To put it bluntly, I planted a mental picture in their mind that I could fly and they believed it. Once the belief was proven true, the presumed burden of responsibility was lifted from their shoulders and the opportunity to become a pilot was created. I know that many individuals within the handicapped community have accomplished remarkable things. If any of you out there are pilots, or have made use of this same technique, I'd like to hear from you. I also have a short story based on my flying experience and would be happy to upload it if you're interested. - Myka -
Joe.Chamberlain@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain) (06/28/91)
Index Number: 16486
To: S12895MM@SEMASSU.BITNET (Myka)
M> I know that many individuals within the handicapped community have
M> accomplished remarkable things. If any of you out there are pilots,
M> or have made use of this same technique, I'd like to hear from you.
M> I also have a short story based on my flying experience and would
M> be happy to upload it if you're interested.
What have you published? I'm a writer too and see
several articles just waiting to be published in your short
message. I'd love to read your story. I would suggest you begin
reading the WRITING and PROWRITE echoes on Fidonet. They will
give you a great deal of guidance and ideas on how to write and
market your work.
I am a quad and a former multi-engine rated pilot.
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