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A collection of disability-related articles and blog posts I read last week, but didn’t have a chance to link to or discuss. It’s an opportunity to catch up with some of the good stuff that’s out there, but doesn’t fit neatly into the week's “big stories.”
I usually post this list on Sundays. Sorry it’s late!
Joanna Rothkopf, Salon.com - June 3, 2015
I am completely comfortable saying that I oppose the legalization of euthanasia or assisted suicide. It is bad, dangerous policy, with great potential for abuse … where abuse means involuntary death of human beings. The enduring problem with this issue is that almost everyone else in the world other than significantly disabled people see this entirely as an issue of personal choice. Therefore, many disabled people say that they are in favor, at least for themselves, as Stephen Hawking does here. I think it is also worth noting that while Prof. Hawking is a brilliant physicist, he’s not necessarily any more savvy about social policy than anyone else. Some people have minds for politics and policy, some don’t.
Honestly, there is no theme - May 7, 2015
This is a lovely, simple answer to a particular form of “Inspiration Porn,” the kind surrounding proms and dating and non-disabled people in relationships with disabled people. It’s also good once in awhile to hear really great stuff about disability from people without disabilities, and who are not experts with credentials. It’s a valuable reminder that some non-disabled people don’t need to be “educated” … they just get it on their own.
John Meagher, The Montreal Gazette - June 6, 2015
The language in this article is horrible. The story itself isn’t bad. My question is, how do journalists determine what kinds of personal stories about disabled people are newsworthy? Not to take anything away from this new graduate, but it isn’t nearly as rare and remarkable for severely disabled people to graduate from high school as it used to be. At some point, won’t it become the expected thing, praiseworthy, but not enough for a big-city newspaper article?
Cripperella - June 2, 2015
I occasionally have to contend with people not just offering, but pushing help on me. Trust me, and trust “Cripperella,” it’s not always enough to just be polite in return. Some Good Samaritans need to be told … in words, flat, curt voices, or glares … to back off.
Mobility International USA - May 28, 2015
Here is a “feel good” disability story that works, that isn’t gross and sickly sweet. Just report the facts, and then let disabled people say what those facts mean to them.
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