Derryl.Killan@f36.n134.z1.fidonet.org (Derryl Killan) (08/28/90)
Index Number: 10013
This is a response to a posting on the ABLED network
originally posted by Vixen with regards to a previous
posting on the same network. It serves admirably to
illustrate the similarities between two Bulletin Board
Services for the Disabled. The two being Disability
Information Services of Canada and Fidonet's ABLED echo.
I feel that the problems and difficulties mentioned by Vixen
are similar to those experienced here on DISC. While we
have 700 or more users on this system, very few of these
users post messages probably for the same reasons that
Vixen mentions in her manuscript. They are; fear of
ridicule, shyness, and "I am not important enough to
bother anyone with my problems".
When I joined DISC I expected a network of disabled but
caring individuals. I was right on the disabled but the
caring part seems to be largely absent and what I perceive
is a network of egocentric or non caring people. This
attitude also portends to be fostered by management as
well, in my opinion.
We as human beings have basic needs for survival and growth
and these needs must be met regardless of our health or
functioning in society. But unless you and I can
communicate those needs to the world within this [DISC]
network we will be isolated and disillusioned as to
whether or not anyone in the network cares about you or
anyone else!
What I perceive is a need for this system [DISC] to become
a vehicle, a vehicle of celebration of life and joy as well
as the realities of your every day life too.To do this
you must participate and let the rest of us know how we
can support you or share your triumphs and joys. I do
realize that while this is a disabled users group there
are triumphs to be shared in spite of disabilities. This
is happening on the ABLED network which is a free network
for the disabled in the US of A and Canada, and. it happens
with a healthy dose of dignity, concern, joy and sharing
with love to boot. Having made this observation; - I fail
to see why we on DISC can not or will not emulate them and
be a caring, supportive collective body of (dis) ABLED
individuals and organizations with a common set of goals
and incentives.
Also, Disability Information Services of Canada is in the
process of switching over to a new high speed computer with
new software and hardware. The claim that it will be
easier to post on this system has been one rationale of the
new computer; - my thoughts are that it is not that
difficult to post on the present system and those who are
not posting now will not post in the future! Less than one
percent of the users post one hundred percent of the
messages and some of those users are staff members who are
paid to post messages into confereces! The primary function
at present for DISC is an instant E-Mail service!
The apathy in Canada is incredible and the lack of Social
Support for the Disabled is such that the alienation is
very much a real problem for the disabled communities in
Canada. The agencies which do exist to serve the disabled
merely provide token services and are not very effective
in my experience!
I am a very disenchanted, disgusted Canadian.
Derryl Killan
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!134!36!Derryl.Killan
Internet: Derryl.Killan@f36.n134.z1.fidonet.orgBill.Freads@f700.n12.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Freads) (09/05/90)
Index Number: 10091 > This is a response to a posting on the ABLED network > I feel that the problems and difficulties mentioned by Vixen > When I joined DISC I expected a network of disabled but > caring individuals. I was right on the disabled but the > caring part seems to be largely absent and what I perceive > is a network of egocentric or non caring people. This > attitude also portends to be fostered by management as > well, in my opinion. > you must participate and let the rest of us know how we > can support you or share your triumphs and joys. I do > realize that while this is a disabled users group there Derryl, you seem to expect some sort of helplessness from any of the disabled persons and you are dissillusioned by the lack of postings in this area, or for that matter in other areas... I am a handicapped person, I run a BBS that fully supports all types of Minority Groups, DisABLED, Blacks, Gay's, Lesbians, I have been running since June 85, 24hrs a day, but the problem that you have is not unique, I have found that ALL groups are the same, as for myself, well, I run about in a 3-wheeled thing-a-majiggy, without it I wouldn't be able to get half a block, I can walk somewhat with a cane, about 20 yards, then my legs will cave in, but.. I'm a fully independant person, I refuse to ask for help if possible, I don't want people doing things for me such as opening doors, etc., this is what makes my life, I still can support myself on my disability pension, I live in Metro Toronto Housing (M.T.H.), I get $588.00 a month from the Ontario Goverment, I only pay $111.00 per month rent, so that doesn't leave all that much for the other neccessary things in life, but I'm also a very good Budgeteer, so there is where my 3-wheeler comes in handy, I go to where they have sales or marked down items (Groceries), I'm doing damn well, I cook myself, I eat well, I have a fat Cat as companion.. oh yea.. I'm 59, and have something called "Gillium Barre Syndrome, I have arthritis in my back column, I have to lay down every couple of hours due to pain, but I'm not complaining, I know a couple of Quadraplegigs here, one is on Attendant care, he's not complaining either, and he's also independant, so we don't ask for help, once we start asking for help, or start bellyaching about problems that we are experiencing, then one can very well kiss his/her independance goodbye, I just got a whole apartment of used furniture (about a year old) a 21" TV, a converter, 2 computer workstations, 2 metal filing cabinets, plants (4), so you see, I didn't ask for anything, but people that knew me and the amount I get from the Goverment helped since I wouldn't be able to afford these things, other handicapped people are quite willing to help here, strangers on the street will talk to me as well, THEY are the ones that start the conversation, not me... I guess I can call my self blessed because I'm able to carry on as I do... I know, there are some people out there that are in far worse shape than me, but the main point is... most people that I have talked to want to be independant and will do their damndest to stay that way, so this might be the idea as to why they don't want to ask for help, they want to feel that they are still part of our society, NOT a burden on others, I know, Ifeel that way, others that I know feel that way too, my healthy friends will not ask if I need help, they know I will ask if and when I need it. ... Think about it and you will see what I'm talking about. > new computer; - my thoughts are that it is not that > difficult to post on the present system and those who are > not posting now will not post in the future! Less than one Maybe it's because a lot of them haven't got computers or won't post because of the above conditions as outlined. > The apathy in Canada is incredible and the lack of Social > Support for the Disabled is such that the alienation is > very much a real problem for the disabled communities in > Canada. The agencies which do exist to serve the disabled > merely provide token services and are not very effective > in my experience! Well, perhaps out there in Edmonton, we here in Ontario have a fairly good Social Service setup, I have no problem with the ADS (Assitive Devices Services) or any of the Ontario Goverment Social Services, if you are medically certified that you are unable to work permanently like I am, then they will help any way that they can, this even includes the Metro Toronto Social Services, the thing is, the Goverment GAINS is Ontario, but ADS and all other things will come through the Metro Toronto Services, I lived in a small town before I got my Apartment, they would not pay for my Plates (teeth), but no problem in Metro Toronto, so you see, it all depends where you live, I agree, I could use some more money too, but most can live quite well providing you are in subsidized housing, other than that, the Goverment will only kick in $200.00 above the regular GAINS amount up to $756.00 a month for a single person... There you have it, this from Ontario... Cheers from a happy Canadian Bill -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!12!700!Bill.Freads Internet: Bill.Freads@f700.n12.z1.fidonet.org