August 29, 2003I have promised in past posts that I'd discuss disabilities (not only my own) more in-depth. In my tired, thoughtful and pondering state I figured why not start now. Some of my thoughts are generated from a talk I give to college & high school students called "Disabilities & Discrimination: A Personal View". Comments welcome and wanted.
A question I get often is "How Do I Refer To Your...`Condition`?"
First off--I am not "contagious". You may laugh but I've seen this often enough from uneducated parents who yank their kids away with the "Don't Get Near Him-You'll Catch It" Syndrome (tm)- DGNHYCI for short.
Children only learn from asking questions. One time many years ago in a local mall, a bright-eyed young boy came up and tugged on my pant leg and asked, "Mister-why you don't have fingers like mine?"
As I was about to answer the mother came over with obvious DGNHYCI Syndrome and snatched him away and slapped him hard for doing that even though she was not more than a few feet away and in plain view (and she left a mark on him). Mind you I don't touch people unless given permission. Well I freaked-not only was she violently ill from the DGNHYCI Syndrome but she was beating her child in public. Well I actually went up, and took the child, and screamed for someone to call Security. Nowadays I'd get sued for this. I then hit the next payphone and called 911. Well...an hour later the cops agreed with me and made the mother sit there and watch him ask me questions for an hour and a half-and that was a terrific consequence. Charges were not pressed for the slap as I honestly think it was a knee-jerk response of a scared uneducated parent.
My official medical "condition" is that I have a Birth Defect called "Congenital Bilateral Amputation with Single Digit Hands". I have one finger on each hand and both of my legs were amputated below the knees when I was young to make way for Artificial Limbs, which I have since relocated to my parents' attic. I do use a brace on my left hand which allows me to manipulate items. My right finger has a permanent hook which allows me to grab things as well. I can also give a mean chokeslam or a paralyzing "Spock" touch to a misbehaving nephew or niece :)
I do drive-I also type 90-something words per minute on a good day and on a familiar keyboard.
As for the artificial legs-we discovered in my "Pre-teen Years" that I could do more without them and I am an incredibly active person. I have tremendous upper body strength and excellent balance.
What words do I Use to Describe Myself??
Unique, special (I am too! :) ), perceptive, successful....amongst others.
Am I cocky and arrogant-sure? But as Suz says, I've had to be to survive with 4 older brothers with no significant issues ('cept alcoholism/substance abuse). But I am incredibly confident in myself as my parents taught me how to handle myself in just about all situations. Sometimes I do talk myself into trouble and I'm quite good at it-but what you get yourself into, you will quickly learn how to get out-of I believe.
Posted by pboulay at August 29, 2003 01:39 AM