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Approved-By:  "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 15:17:02 EDT
Reply-To:     "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         "(Bill McGarry)" <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2961

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2961

                         Wednesday, October 07, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                               Chronic fatigue
                             More mda mysteries
                             International deaf
                               Jerry's orphans
                           Shhh survey information
                          Re: Reasonable Accommodat
                             International Deaf
                                 S.I.G.N.S.
                               Jerry's orphans
                        WE PITY JERRY LEWIS' ATTITUDE


                                ******


To subscribe to the Handicap Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


UUCP:       uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-337-1607
	    (300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours)
Compuserve: 73170,1064

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



------



Subject: Chronic fatigue
From: Arlette.Lefebvre@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Arlette Lefebvre)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

                  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
                 A Pamphlet for Physicians
        U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

                   Public Health Service
               National Institutes of Health
                 NIH Publication No. 92-484
                          May 1992
                     Table of Contents
Page 1
                  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
                        Introduction

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by debilitating
 fatigue and several flu-like symptoms such as pharyngitis, adenopathy,
 low-grade fever, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, difficulty concentrating, and
 exercise intolerance.  These nonspecific symptoms can make the syndrome
 difficult to identify.  Profound fatigue -- the earmark of the disorder --
 usually comes on suddenly and persists or relapses throughout the course of the
 illness. But unlike the short-term fatigue and malaise that often accompanies
 an acute infection, by definition, CFS symptoms linger for at least 6 months,
 and often for years.

Chronic fatigue is a common complaint in primary care practice.  No evidence
 exists to suggest that most patients with chronic fatigue have CFS.  Indeed,
 CFS is probably an uncommon cause of chronic fatigue.

When evaluating patients with chronic fatigue of unknown origin, physicians can
 use the definition of CFS in the Appendix as a guide.  This detailed definition
 was developed for research use under the leadership of the Centers for Disease
 Control.  It was published in Annals of Internal Medicine in March 1988.
 Because the disease is still poorly understood, however, the outlined criteria
 should be considered provisional.

Most investigators studying CFS believe that the syndrome has many possible
 causes.  For example, various infectious agents often trigger the onset of CFS.
  Preliminary research also shows a variety of immunologic disturbances in some
 patients.  No single pattern of disturbances appears consistently, however, and
 in general, patients are not clinically immunocompromised: they do not develop
 opportunistic infections.  In fact, the character, epidemiology, and prognosis
 of CFS is quite distinct from that of major immune deficiency disorders such as
 AIDS. Several different latent viruses also appear to be reactivated in some
 CFS patients, although reactivation has not been shown in all patients, and it
 is not clear that any of these viruses are causally related to CFS or its
 symptoms.  Many patients with CFS also present with anxiety or depression.  In
 summary, as with most chronic illness, CFS has both physical and psychiatric
 manifestations.

                        Epidemiology

Most cases of CFS are sporadic: the patient does not have a close contact who
 has developed a similar illness. Infrequently, however, close contacts,
 including family members, become ill with CFS at about the same time.  During
 the past 60 years, several apparent epidemics of this illness affecting various
 communities or relatively large numbers of co-workers have been reported.
 Clusters of CFS cases are unusual, however, and it is not generally thought
 that people with CFS need to be isolated in any way.  The clinical and
 laboratory findings of sporadic versus epidemic cases have yet to be compared.

While the typical patient seeking medical care for CFS is a white woman in her
 thirties, patients of all ages (including the very young and very old), both
 sexes, many races, and all socioeconomic groups have been affected.  CDC and
 NIAID-sponsored researchers have studies under way to try to estimate the
 prevalence of this disorder.

               A bientot, I hope...?

                                               Docteur Froggie.
===
 * DeLuxe/386 1.12 #3276 * I may be disturbed, but I AM happy.
 * QNet3 * ADAnet: Ability OnLine - Toronto Canada - 416/650-5411

 # Origin: ADAnet(tm) NetHub Birmingham, Alabama (205)854-9074  (94:94/1)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!3602!24!Arlette.Lefebvre
Internet: Arlette.Lefebvre@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: More mda mysteries
From: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

ABLEnews Reprint

from the disABILITY NEWS-letter (11/91, II:1)
with permission from the publisher

             MDA withholds cooperation to disabled journalist
                      critizing financial activities

        As a result of her columns criticizing various budget
allocations by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a California
journalist with advancing multiple sclerosis faced more than just
architectural stonewalling.
        The November 1991 WASHINGTON JOURNALISM REVIEW's story,
titled "Dystrophy Group Stonewalls Columnist," reported Dianne
Piastro's efforts to find the organization's top salaries and other
financial information for her five-part series for her syndicated
column, "Living with a Disability."
        Piastro's column installments during August reported that
most of $109.7 million raised in 1990 through public donations
funded increasing employee salaries and benefits.
        MDA spokespersons rebuted the allegations by saying Piastro
misinterpreted the budget figures she acquired from the Illinois
attorney general, which keeps all of the non-profit association's
records.
        Piastro countered that her calls to the national MDA office
were unanswered.

                        STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT

disABILITY NEWS-letter is owned, written and published by Gary
L. Warren, 3306A Moss Court, Midland, Texas 79707, (915) 520-2923.

With a tip of our ABLEnews hat to Gary Warren,

...For further information, contact CURE, 812 Stephen Street, Berkeley
Springs, West Virginia 254511 (304-258-LIFE/5433).

 * SLMR 2.1 * ABLEnews...beyond the headlines. (1:275/429.4)

--
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Internet: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: International deaf
From: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

ABLEnews PSA

           I N T E R N A T I O N A L   D E A F    E D U C A T I O N
                A N D    A D V A N C E M E N T    F U N D

It's not easy being deaf if you happen to be born in a developing
Third World nation.

      Less than one-fifth of all deaf people in poor countries receive
      any education.

      Most deaf people in poor countries cannot read their own names.

      Most deaf peole in developing countries cannot count to ten.

      Many developing nations deny basic human rights to their deaf
      and hard of hearing citizens.

         According to statistics released by the World Federation of
         the Deaf, at least 26 countries do not permit their deaf
         citizens to earn a driver's license.

         A few countries have put legal limits on the rights of of
         deaf people to marry and raise the family they choose.

         Deaf people in some developing nations do not have the right
         to vote in elections.

      Unemployment rates in the deaf community are high.

But what can we do to help?

Plenty -- just read on!

      On August 12, 1991, the International Deaf Education and
      Advancement Fund (International D.E.A.F.), an endowed
      scholarship fund, was established at Gallaudet University to
      help the deaf communities of developing countries. Gallaudet is
      the only liberal arts university for the deaf in the world.

      The fund was founded thorugh the generosity of Gallaudet
      students and their families.

      Scholarships will be given to deaf students:

         who come from a developing country and

         plan to go home after graduation to help the deaf community
         of their country in educational and social advancemen

                  Why Give to International D.E.A.F.?

"Deaf education in this country has enabled us in the deaf community
to take our rightful role as important contributors to U.S. society.
It is now time we help those in less developed countries to reach
their full potential."
                                Andrea Shettle
                                Author, Flute Song Magic
                                Founder, International D.E.A.F.

"We are very grateful to [International D.E.A.F.'s] founder, Ms.
Andrea Shettle, for her quick response to the depressing WFD report
about education of deaf children in developing countries. Deaf
children around the world will certainly appreciate your exemplary
efforts.

"The fact that 80 percent of deaf children in developing countries
have no access to education is a serious challenge for us."

                                Dr. Yerker Andersson
                                President
                                World Federation of the Deaf

"I was very pleased to learn . . . about the establishment of
International D.E.A.F.  Its goal of providing scholarships to
needy foreign students at Gallaudet University responds to an
urgent requirement for deaf leadership in developing nations.
I have witnessed first hand the desperate plight of deaf people in
several African countries where educated deaf people are so rare
they are widely believed to be ineducable, unemployable and
unmarriagebale.  Many Eurpoean nations have recognized the
necessity of extending a helping hand to deaf people in the
Third World; it is long past time we did the same."

                                Dr. Harlan Lane
                                University Distinguished Professor
                                Northeastern University
                                Recipient, MacArthur "Genius" Grant
                                Author, When the Mind Hears

Please make a donation to support this important cause!

When you give to International D.E.A.F., remember:

        THE IMPACT OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE FELT AROUND THE WORLD.

                THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

Donations to International DEAF may be mailed to:

     International D.E.A.F.
     c/o Development Offile
     Gallaudet University
     800 Florida Avenue, N.E.
     Washington, D.C. 20002-3625
     United States of America.

For more information, contact:

     Andrea Shettle
     5504 Uppingham St.
     Chevy Chase, MD 20815
     IN%"RED_TREK@drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu"

Historical note:  Shettle, founder of International D.E.A.F., may also
                  be the first person born deaf to publish a novel,
                  Flute Song Magic.  Published in November, 1990,
                  Flute Song Magic was the winning entry in the 1989
                  Avon Flare Books biannual novel-writing competition
                  for teenagers.

This notice may be crossposted or redistributed at will.

We have crossposted it from the Yellow Dream Machine's 504 Club,
with a tip of our ABLEnews hat to its host, Bill Scarborough.

...For further information, contact CURE, 812 Stephen Street, Berkeley
Springs, West Virginia 254511 (304-258-LIFE/5433).

 * SLMR 2.1 * Care enough to make a difference. --ABLEnews (1:275/429.4

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!279!14!Earl.Appleby
Internet: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Jerry's orphans
From: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Earl Appleby)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

Thanks very much for your message of September 5, Missy, regarding our
ABLEnews reprint on Jerry's Orphans. Sorry about not getting back to
you sooner, but would you believe they lost my point number, my node,
hey, my entire net...I kid you not! (As far as I know we're still
gone, so answer me here if you wish.)

I've been wanting to write a short piece reflecting my thoughts on
Jerry Lewis, the MDA, and the Labor Day telephon and your thoughtful
and thought-provoking reponse has bumped that up on my too-many-
things/too-few-hours agenda <grin>.

I appreciate your sharing your thoughts. That's what this place
(ABLEnews) is all about. And I offer mine to in the same spirit of
open discussion and learning from and about one another.

MM>Hey, I don't like the pity approach either. Unfortunatly, that's what a
  >lot of people respond to.

We agree on both of these points. The last one is, as you rightly say,
unfortunate. But I guess I'd have to ask my version of the classic
"what doth it profit a man?" query. What does it profit a man to gain
a donation at the cost of his human dignity? Or rather, should any man
or woman, boy or girl, have to accept the bigotry of his benefactor as
the price of his assistance? And I respect the right of each
individual to answer that question for himself because he or she will
pay the price now or later.

I've been there too with CURE on another front of the same war. A
number of people and organizations share CURE's opposition to starving
persons with disabilities to death, particularly those dehumanized by
the hate term "vegetable." Some playing to popular prejudices make a
point of emphasizing how much "better" (i.e., functional) the intended
victim of euthanasia is than others, usually past victims and whole
classes of people who have been written off (as the Jews in Nazi
Germany). I understand where the PR types are coming from, but that
does not prevent me from being disgusted at the premise and disturbed
about where it is taking us.

I'll admit the fact that my Dad who lived with us at home in coma
could not always "do tricks" as I would describe what doctors would
sometimes ask of him to their face may personalize my views. But I'd
like to think that I would have had them any way, in large part,
because that was how Dad raised me.

I hope I haven't digressed too much, Missy, but it is this perspective
that leads me to support "Jerry's Orphans," while wishing to fight all
the harder for "Jerry's Kids." Now as for Jerry...

MM>So don't be too hard on Jerry Lewis.
  >He's trying to do a good thing the most effective way how.

It can be difficult to judge a man's motives but how a man conducts
himself and how he speaks of others tells you something about his
character. And what I've seen and heard tells me you are a kind soul
but perhaps too kind in this instance.

Dianne Piastro, whose column, "Living With Disability" is syndicatd by
the Newspaper Enterprise Association, described Lewis OFF-CAMERA when
the give-the-public-what-they-expect excuse could not cover his
blatant bigotry:

        When Jerry Lewis, as MDA's national chairman, arrived to
        fulfill his 1991 telethon pledge to bowl with an Illinois
        10-year-old, a television show's crew awaited him.  A
        Chicago Sun Times reporter quoted Lewis' reaction:  "Well,
        I have a problem with 'Entertainment Tonight' because they
        always shoot me in close-up with this wide lens that makes
        me look like a mongoloid."

Sorry, Jerry, time to go!!!

Speaking of which, I guess it's time for me to go to <smile>. I hope
this wasn't too long a reply to a concise comment that raised a number
of important issues and for which I thank you most heartily!

Looking forward to seeing you again in these parts again, real soon,
Missy. Your thoughtful comments are always welcome here.

Regards,
Earl

 * SLMR 2.1 * ABLEnews...counting on U for our s*ccess. (1:275/429.4)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!279!14!Earl.Appleby
Internet: Earl.Appleby@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Shhh survey information
From: Sheila.Fava@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Sheila Fava)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

             MATIONWIDE STUDY:  Self Help for Hard of Hearing

The  national  Institute of disABILITY and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR)  has  awarded  Westat  and SHHH funds  to   document   the
rehabilitation  needs  of  hard of hearing individuals in the USA.
Westat is an employee-owned social science research firm.

SHHH and Westat will compile the information by holding six  site
visits  in  the  USA,  conducting  a  national  mail  survey  and
literature review, and convening a panel of  experts  to  provide
input on how hearing loss impacts people with hearing loss.

For more information about the SHHH/Westat project, please
contact:

    Catherine Robards
    Associate Projects Director
    SHHH
    7800 Wisconsin Avenue,
    Bethesda, MD 20814

    Phone:  (301)294-2018
            (TDD and Voice)

===
Quoted from _The_SHHH_Journal_  Vol 2 - No. 13 - Page 10
 * QNet3 *  Pick's Place * v32/v32bis * HST/16800 * 2017650164 * 24 hrs *

 # Origin: ADAnet(tm) NetHub Birmingham, Alabama (205)854-9074  (94:94/1)

--
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Internet: Sheila.Fava@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Reasonable Accommodat
From: Jim.Jones@p0.f7014.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Jones)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/7014.0 - The Soft-Ware Haven, Rowlett TX


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

 -=> Quoting Joe Chamberlain to Jim Jones <=-

 JC> Do we want employers giving the same 'resonable
 JC> accomodations' drug addicts and child molesters as do do to
 JC> paraplegics and the blind.

Joe,
You need to look at the EEOC Booklet titled "The Americans With Disabilities
Act, Your Responsibilities as an Employer" This booklet states, "Anyone who
is currently using drugs illegally is not protected by the ADA and may be
denied employment or fired on the basis of such use".

Title I of the ADA protects qualified individuals with disabilities from
employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if he
has a physical or mental impariment that Substantially limits a major life
activity like "hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks,
walking, caring for oneself. Title I does not interfere with the right to hire
the best qualified applicant; it simply prohibits you from discriminating
against a "qualified applicant or employee because of their disability".
Most employers would not hire known drug addicts or child molesters, and if
they did, I feel the ADA would not protect them.

... ===yes, as a matter of fact, I am handicapped===

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!7014.0!Jim.Jones
Internet: Jim.Jones@p0.f7014.n124.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: International Deaf
From: Al.Manning@f41.n243.z1.fidonet.org (Al Manning)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:243/41 - The SugarBush, Gloucester ON


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

Hi Sheila and other deaf users

Just a short note to pass on a report I heard last night on CJOH,
the Ottawa CTV station, that they have now completed the testing
required and will now start closed captioning all locally produced
shows.  The announcement was accompanied by a short but clear
demonstration of what closed captioning is and does for the deaf
and hearing impared.  The announcment was accompanied by open
captioing and/or a sign interpreter.  To make the point the normal
sound faded a couple of times and cut out completly once or twice.
It was a very effectine demo for those with normal hearing.

Take Care
Yours Aye  Al

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!243!41!Al.Manning
Internet: Al.Manning@f41.n243.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: S.I.G.N.S.
From: Rick.Catania@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Rick Catania)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

I'd like to take a moment here to introduce a committee which may very
well make some needed changes within vocational training shops.

Structuring & Identifying Graphic Non-Conformity Signage (S.I.G.N.S.)
is a committee which has been put together in Hammond, Indiana at
Hammond's Workforce Training Center (Area Career Center).

It's Motto is : "Quality Career Communications and Understanding"

Purpose:
Study and develop signs for business and industrial terms to aid the
hearing impaired population.

Objective:
a. Study and develop sign language terms for all classes offered at the
Area Career Center.

b. Enhance intstructor-student communications

c. Encourage social independence in the classroom.

d. Develop methods for interactive participation with peers.

e. Utilize new sign language in classroom as soon as developed.

Design a text for classroom use -

Design software programs for classroom use -

Protocols:
Review protocols for development of sign language.

   -----------------------------------

An international search is taking place in order to locate any
existing specific sign language terminoligy which would be appropriate
in meeting this committee's objectives. If none exists, then it will be
developed. The newly developed signs would then be shared with the
organizations associated with gathering information for the
education of hearing impaired/deaf individuals.

Comments are always welcomed.

If you wish to send a direct comment, send it to me, Rick Catania
Electronically,:    1:230/22 @ FidoNet
                   94:2190/2 @ ADAnet
                   86:8120/6 @ ToadNet

Via U.S Mail:

Rick Catania
P.O. Box 334
Whiting, Indiana 46394

 * SLMR 2.1 #T375 * Everything starts as somebody's daydream.

 # Origin: The Special Needs BBS * Whiting, Indiana (94:2190/1)

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------



Subject: Jerry's orphans
From: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Adams)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:19/10 - Majik Shoppe BBS, Altus OK


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

MM>        You've raised some good points. But a lot of good HAS been done by
MM>that Telethon. If it were run out of business, what's the alternative? It'
MM>one thing to point out deficiencies in an existing method, but I'm one of
MM>those people who believes that if you get rid of something that serves a
MM>purpose, you should have a replacement ready.

I agree with you on this one, Melissa.  The Telethon has been going
on for several decades now, and it seems to me that much of the
controversy now surrounding it arises simply from folks who like to
stir up trouble in the first place.  The world's full of them.  It
doesn't make any difference whether there's truely something wrong or
not.  Controversy creates attention.  Attention creates an opportunity
to profit, and I'm convinced that some of these folks merely want to
start getting some of the money for their own personal use rather
than the MDA's.

MM>Jerry Lewis is not a saint, or a devil. He's just a well-meaning m
MM>with all the predjusices and biases of his age. Rather than condemn him
MM>completely, I think we should work positively to develop a new, more accur
MM>image of people with disabilities. With time, telethons could become a
MM>powerful tool for distributing that image.

The last time I walked on water, it was seriously cold and at least
a couple of feet thick.  I wouldn't propose that THAT particualr test
be given to anyone who's working a telethon out of Las Vegas on Labor
Day.  From all I've read, the opponants of the Telethon tend to believe
that an incorrect image of those dealing personally with MD is being
projected by the Telethon.  I'm sorry, but I've seen the Telethon for
years, and it's always shown me people who are quite admirable in their
ability to deal with MD.  It's shown me families drawn closer together.
It's shown me individuals who have developed a strong sense of purpose
in their lives.  It's shown me people who have evidenced tremendous
courage in facing the inevitable.  It's shown me people who have
sacrificed time and money to help others.  It's shown me that groups
and communities can indeed work together for a good cause.  It's
shown me that there is a tremendous amount of good will in the world
that can be tapped into if someone just gets up there and asks.

So the premise that the Telethon portrays people with MD as helpless
and asks that they be pitied is a false one as far as I'm concerned.
I've seen too much evidence to the contrary.  Sure it tugs at the
heart here and there in an effort to loosen the purse-strings, but
that's the nature of any effort to gather money.  Some people react
to facts.  Others to emotion.  The Telethon wants to reach them all.

MM>If something doesn't work quite right, why destroy it if it
MM>can be improved?

I'd suggest that the format of the Telethon is working extremely
well and the only thing needing work is the attitudes of those
who wish to tear it down.  A thing is not successful and long-
enduring if it's not doing something right, and there are few
money-raising efforts out there as successful or as long-lived as
the MDA Telethon.  While it's true that Jerry Lewis is not a
saint, it's probably time that his detractors took a look in the
mirror.

 * SLMR 2.1 *

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!19!10!Mike.Adams
Internet: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: WE PITY JERRY LEWIS' ATTITUDE
From: Randy.Edwards@f105.n128.z1.fidonet.org (Randy Edwards)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:128/105 - Socialism OnLine!, Colorado Springs CO


[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

 Via The N.Y. Transfer News Service 718-448-2358, 718-448-2683
 Title: We pity Jerry Lewis' attitude

 "We pity Jerry Lewis' attitude"
  By Betsy Gimbel New York

A determined group of disabled people, mostly in wheelchairs,
picketed Sept. 7 outside the front doors of the Marriot Hotel in
Manhattan, to which the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy
Telethon was being broadcast from Las Vegas. The New York City
demonstration, initiated by Disabled in Action, was one of many
held across the country this year.

The disabled community has been protesting these telethons since
the early 1970s. The way Lewis constantly refers to disabled people
as "half persons" and "cripples," thus leaning heavily on pity and
degrading stereotypes to extract large donations from private
sector sources, is particularly offensive.

Lewis' resistance to suggestions from the disabled community that
he cease his pity-mongering, and begin to depict disabled people as
human beings entitled to respect and dignity, is also galling to
the protesters.

"Cure Jerry, too" and "We pity Jerry's attitude" read some of the
picket signs. Other signs demanded, "Raise consciousness, too!"
and, "Nobody asked us what to do with the money."

Picket signs reading "What about the real issues?" and "Pity, no,
health care, yes!" pointed out the underlying problems of this and
so many other telethons. They never address the real problems,
while promoting backward, negative stereotypes about people with
disabilities. "The cost of pity is too high," read one sign.

Protesters button-holed "volunteers," many of them paid, as they
arrived to work on the phone bank. Most of the volunteers were open
enough to listen; some indicated that they would try to educate the
other volunteers about Jerry Lewis' callous arrogance.

Where the money goes

Telethon organizers and the Muscular Dystrophy Association claim
that the money raised in the event goes toward research to find the
cause and cure for this fatal disease. But this is not really true.
Many of the phone-bank staffers agreed with the demonstrators,
contention that the Lewis Telethon is actually more of a financial
and publicity bonanza for big business. More than 80 percent of the
funds raised will in fact go to pay for the telethon's staff and
operating expenses. In other words, it's really a fund-raiser for
the telethon, not for the disabled or research.

Disabled people object to these degrading annual "pityfests"
because they believe the government, instead of paying for wars
abroad, should instead put the necessary time and resources into
finding cures for dreaded diseases.

The fate of people with Muscular Dystrophy and other serious
diseases like AIDS should not be left in the greedy clutches of
self-interested private businesses such as Southland, owner of 7-11
stores, which is one of a number of big-business sponsors of the
telethon. The way things stand now, this money keeps going for
research year after year, but no cause or cure is ever found.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed, disabled
people have hoped their lives will improve. On the one hand, the
law does grant certain rights. But on the other hand, the economic
crisis of capitalism has made it impossible for these rights to be
exercised. These glaring contradictions are driving the people to
action.

(Copyright Workers World Service: Permission to reprint granted if
source is cited. For more info contact Workers World,46 W. 21 St.,
New York, NY 10010; "workers@igc.apc.org.")

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                  End of Issue # 2961 of the Handicap Digest

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Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU