the social model of disability in action

[baratron]

Oh my. New York Times article about a ballet class for physically disabled kids. "She'll never be a prima ballerina. This isn't about that. She just wants to be like everyone else." *cries

Comments

[barakta]

Thanks for that link. That is absolutely the point

[quiet000001]

I was diagnosed with mild CP when I was born, and it never occured to me that part of the reason I never had too many problems with it was I took ballet and dance classes from when I was quite young. (And when I stopped that, it wasn't long before I took up horseback riding, which requires muscle control and balance.)

Probably an arguement for trying to get back into something like that again. Hmm.

[barakta]

Very probably. My vestibular system is unreliable and anatomically knackered, but does do /something/. The doc I saw in Nov '05 couldn't work out why my balance was a problem now, when it wasn't as I was growing up. I will be interested to see what he says about the ballet.

I'm considering Tai Chi classes at a community centre or college for the next 'intake' as my 12 Tai Chi lessons with the vestibular dysfunction department of the hospital will have finished by then. I think continuation will be the key. Absolutely worth it to stay functional, and hopefully be able to come off my medication entirely.

[quiet000001]

With me it's always been something that's sort of there, but not really a significant enough problem to have seen anyone about. (I mean, I'm never going to be a surgeon or a high-wire act or a balance beam gymnast, but luckily I never wanted to do any of those things anyway.) It's only recently occured to me to wonder how that aspect of things fits into my other problems

[evilref]

Second the comment about the usefulness of ballet. When I did aikido there was a fellow there with cerebal palsy who made second dan: more than I managed. The physical and mental discipline was helpful to him -- and I pity the mugger who picks him out as an easy target because he's in a wheelchair!

[barakta]

My friend P is profoundly deaf and has no vestibular system (his inner ear is bone instead of fluid). He did Akido for a while and I think it did him a lot of good especially in terms of confidence and balance. He was mugged in 2002, and then the bastards attacked him from behind in broad daylight because they knew he couldn't hear (they were local). I think the akido helped him get over it as much as possible, and stopped him being quite so scared to leave his house.

[thekumquat]

This is good to know as I'm looking to take up a martial art and was a bit concerned that lack of balance would be a problem.

I did ballet when I was a little kid but I don't think it helped balance at all - it was lots of standing around and looking pretty, and as we got older (7) being laughed at by other kids. It was very focused on grades by then and the teacher didn't want me in her class any more.

[redbird]

Yes. Most "normal" girls in ballet classes won't end up dancing professionally either--but we don't say they shouldn't take ballet because of that. Much of the time, the point is to do things that you want, or that are good for you, and do them well, for values of well that take into account who you are.

[barakta]

My mum's friend who has a child with Down's Syndrome got sent a story which had the concept that while parents grieve that little disabled johnny won't get to be a brain surgeon, they often don't get reminded that little non-disabled johnny is also unlikely to become a brain surgeon.

There is more to many things than achieving world-class status. I think it is important for people of all abilities and aims to be allowed to do things for enjoyment. I also believe that having 'differently-abled[0]' people in regular classes where possible reminds so called able-bodied people that there is more to it than Winning!

[0] Yes i hate the word different abled too. I can't think of a better word though.

[aardvarkoffnord]

*blink*

Tricycle. Why didn't I think of that?

[I too have balance problems, but mine are neurological - a left over from my serious alcohol abusing days]

[baratron]

I have a second-hand Pashley Picador that I bought from eBay, but I want a TRI-1. Not least of all because the TRI-1 comes with a folding frame option, which allows me to take it on the train like a "normal" bike :D

[porcinea]

This "normal" person *WANTS* a trike. Oh, so badly.

I am screamingly envious of ailbhe's new trike.

Does yours have the two wheels in back or in front? I think I've seen a picture of it, but I forget.

[baratron]

There's pictures here, although not of my actual trike, merely the official blurb from the manufacturers about it.