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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
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Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 01:32:55 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2977

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2977

                         Thursday, October 15, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                               New Born Deafie
                               Re: S.I.G.N.S.
                               Parents' Guilt
                               Parents' Guilt
                                   Spasms
                                    Hello
                          Re: AWESOME SWIMMERS.....
                Introduction to Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre


                                ******


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Subject: New Born Deafie
From: Karen.Keil@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Karen Keil)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/2120 - Fingers Talk, Irving TX


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 TB> A dear friend and co-worker just told me her newest grand-
 TB> daughter was born deaf.  2 months old and parents still not
 TB> gone to counselling for their shock/grief/dismay.

I marvel that the parents found out so soon that their daughter was
born deaf.  Maybe they were watching for it (hereditary) and knew
what to look for.  My parents did not get confirmation that I was
severely hearing-impaired until I was already 3 years old.  My
parents did go through 'grief' in order to accept the news, but
they did not go through counselling.  I don't think they needed
any, anyway.  Besides, my parents had professionals who took action
and found room for me in a school so I could get language training
as soon as possible.

TB> I told her, 2 months old is not too early to sign to baby.
TB> By now, the baby can start to focus her eyes and now is the
TB> time to start with "Mommy", "Daddy", "food", and her name-sign.

Why just sign?  Why not speech and lipreading?  At this point, 2
months is still too young to determine just how much hearing or
what other abilities the baby has at this point.  The parents
should use EVERY method, not just sign!  The more tools in the
toolbox, the better off the child will be!

TB> I hope they come to reality and start now to accept and
TB> integrate.  No sense in waiting and starting their stumbling
TB> later.  Time to begin is now and realize this is her real life.

What is 'her real life'?  Life as part of the Deaf
Culture/Community?  I was born deaf, but that did not make me a
member of the Deaf Culture automatically.  How did the baby become
part of the Deaf community at the very young age of 2 months?  The
baby is just learning what it's like to be alive and breathing in
the outside world.

TB> Any thoughts regarding deaf infants to hearing families,
TB> who find they are now part of deaf culture?   -TB

Who are now part of deaf culture---the deaf infants or the hearing
families?  It's not clear here.  As I mentioned above, being born
deaf does NOT make one a part of Deaf Culture.  It has to be
learned!  Culture is not something you are born with.  I'm of
mostly German and Norwegian ancestry, but having that does not make
me have German or Norwegian Culture as part of my life--what I have
of it was taught by my family or learned from books and other
resources.

Ethnic cultures are not inborn, period.  If Culture is inborn, then
why am I not part of the Deaf Community, then?

These are my thoughts.

Karen

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!2120!Karen.Keil
Internet: Karen.Keil@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: S.I.G.N.S.
From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/94 - Monroe Electronic M, Monroe NY


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

FO>>The general reason behind your effort sounds noble, but I feel I
FO>>should warn you that, as was learned with Esperanto (an
FO>>international language that was made up to facilitate
FO>>communication) unless the langauge already exists and people are
FO>>already using it, a new, made up one doesn't seem to take hold.
FO>>Language evolves in use, so with the exception of defining
FO>>technical terms, if ASL is what most folk use, that's what they'll
FO>>continue to use.

 RC> Very good point!  Thanks....

This reminds me of the cutest story I heard about the developement
of the sign for 'anthropology'...

At Gally, a professor for the newly established program in
anthropology (at that time) was hired who was just learning sign
and was not very proficient yet.  He stopped a student along a
walkway and asked him what the sign for 'anthropology' was.  The
student signed 'don't know' and went on his way.  Do you know, the
sign 'don't know' was then used for years as the sign for
anthropolgy because that professor misunderstood the intent of
that response!

It gives insight into the very human aspect of language!  Also
signs sometimes ARE 'made up' when the need arises-- like the
proliferation of microcomputers...thus the development of signs
related to the computer...but again, I still feel that to be a
truly bonafide sign -- it has to stand the test of time and use.

--Fran

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Parents' Guilt
From: Becky.Goldberg@f220.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Becky Goldberg)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/220 - Exit 47, LeRoy NY


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

-> disability is more so.  These parents most often don't know anyone wi
-> disability and truly don't know what their children are capable of
-> accomplishing.  Even before a child is born, the parents have hopes a
-> dreams for that child.  The disability shatters those dreams.  Many p
-> don't know how to redirect those dreams.

Hi Linda,

   It is very common for parents to have hopes and dreams for their
children. I guess that most parents are usually not educated about
disablities like my mother did. Fortuntealy, my grandma went to
Gallaudet Unveristy a year before I was born to learn about deaf people.
She was librarian and was very good friend with my first teacher who
is my good friend and found what she did, she went out and learned it.
My teacher never knew what triggered grandma's interest in deaf ed. When
I was born, and was found that I am deaf. my grandma knew what to do and
educated my mom about it. It think knowing about deaf helped prevent
me and my two sisters going to residental schools.

Maybe most parents never thought it would happen to them. It is
important to be educated about disabitlies. I've worked with children
with disablities and know about them. It is worth it so i can help the
new parents and for myself. One thing is that the feeling about it, that
I don't know till i have a child with disablity.

As for pregnacy, it is important that the person with disablity is
phyicially able to be pregnant. Naturally they have doubts. I think it
is important to belive in them to succeed regardless to disablity. I
have heard that Down's Syndrome people are prevented for dating,
marriage, having children etc... I have seen some kids are pretty
smart and know they can do like others depends on the severtiy of
their learning ablitles.

I may go off the track but that how I am! Keep in touch and enjoy ur
kid. Teenage kid can be very alien like my sister Maggie is now!

Becky

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!220!Becky.Goldberg
Internet: Becky.Goldberg@f220.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Parents' Guilt
From: Becky.Goldberg@f220.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Becky Goldberg)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/220 - Exit 47, LeRoy NY


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

-> Hmm, this almost sounds like a thread that would fit real nice in the
-> echo. :)   I'm sure they would tell you that all parents are guilty a
-> something that they feel they didn't do right, and every parent will
-> a different perceived downfall -- your parents may just have the
-> communication idea as their "failure figure".

Even my grandmother told my mom about deaf people a year before I was
born. When she found out that I was deaf, she went to Grandma and ask
for help. She learned alot about it and what to do to help. After what
she learned, she still felt guilty even though it is not her fault since
our deafness is part of heredity. I guess parents may know these stuff
(some of them) but not prepared how they feel.

Becky

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!220!Becky.Goldberg
Internet: Becky.Goldberg@f220.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Spasms
From: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Wick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/45 - The French Connecti, Edmonds Wa


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

AH>I am only interested in acquiring medications legally.  If you can do
AH>that with marijuana, let me know how and I'll pass the info on

I tried smoking pot a few times just to see if it would help my
spasms... It didn't, it made me tired and lowered my blood presure.
I'm can't say it was of any use to me. But if you want to try
something like like, I've heard of THC pills. I don't know if
that's what is supposed to help.

===
 * SLMR 2.1 * I modem down, but dey grew back!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!45!Greg.Wick
Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Hello
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Tim Syfert <08 Oct 92 14:19> Beth Davis wrote:

 BD> easier if I could breathe on my own.  Sometimes I just want to...

Yep.  I think we all get to that stage on a regular basis.
Sometimes I get really depressed and just enjoy feeling down for a
while.  Then, I think of something else and give myself a mental
pep talk.

     Hang in there.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: AWESOME SWIMMERS.....
From: Sheila.Fava@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Sheila Fava)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Abled Athlete Conference]

Hello again, Carlos......

True, the competition for a slot on any National Team for the
Paralympics or the Olympics is fierce and -very- competitive BUT
you will be at peak athletic ability in 1996 -- Besides you are
focused on that goal and you are training routinely. -- Both
factors are in your favour.  Canada is due now to put a bid in for
the Olympics and Paralympics...that's what must be done:  Bid on
the Games...not a money bid necessarily -- What is needed is
housing for the athletes and staff, eating facilities for athletes,
staff and spectators and places to hold the competitions (like an
Olympic-size pool, Tennis Courts, Bowling Alley, Stadium with
regulation track and field facilities, cycling facilities and
adequate protection for international athletes, staff and
spectators, crowd control)....It's a big task, but Canada is up to
it!  The time to start writing letters lobbying for the Olympics
and Paralympics to be held in Canada is -NOW-....NOW!

Have you had mail-call lately?

                    ---Sheila

                    *** HOST(ess) ABLED-Athlete Conference ***

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!68!Sheila.Fava
Internet: Sheila.Fava@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Introduction to Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
From: awsmith@UTCS.UTORONTO.CA (Drew Smith)

This is from the Biomechanics and Movement Science mailing
list.

Dear BIOMCH-L Readers,

*******************************************************************
                  Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
                      Research Department
******************************************************************

Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre, located in Toronto CANADA, has
been in existence since 1945 as one of the major rehabilitation
centres for spinal cord injured adults in Canada.  It is a 70-bed
facility which functions to assist clients in returning to the
community following a traumatic spinal cord injury.

Approximately 1,000 Canadians over the age of 15 sustain an injury
to their spinal cord and about 40% of clients at Lyndhurst are young
(15-35 years), males who are injured in motor vehicle and recreational
accidents.

The Research Department at Lyndhurst is staffed by a full-time Director
and Senior Researcher who are supported by three Researchers employed
at the 50% level (17-1/2 hours per week) and an Administrative Assistant.
Funding for the department's operations is provided by charitable
donations through the Lyndhurst Foundation.  Since 1988, the Department
has demonstrated steady growth, and has averaged approximately $200,000
per year in externally-funded research grants.  In addition, Lyndhurst
enjoys a formal relationship with the University of Toronto while the
Department has cross-appointed research associates from Queen's University
(Kingston, CANADA), York University (Toronto, CANADA) and the University
of Toronto.

The priorities of the Research Department are twofold:

  (1)  Community Integration and Long-Term Health Issues Following a
       Spinal Cord Injury

  (2)  Applications of Technology for Function for Spinal Cord Injured
       Adults

The latter priority is an area which would be of particular interest to
individuals with a biomechanics/bioengineering background.  Current projects
include:

   *   Voice-operated robotic manipulator for office tasks
   *   Improving access to computer technology for individuals with
       a high-level spinal cord injury, including:
       - head-pointing systems
       - keystroke reduction techniques
       - evaluation of current voice recognition techniques
   *   Physical rehabilitation research, including:
       - electronic music creation during upper extremity exercise
       - a clinically-based 3D motion analysis system
       - functional electrical stimulation for establishing gait in
         paraplegic subjects
       - development of a manual wheelchair ergometer

Any individuals interesting in obtaining more information about Lyndhurst,
or those who would like to share their experiences in any area related to
spinal cord research, can contact:

                  Andrew (Drew) W. Smith, Ph.D.
                      Director of Research
                  Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
                      520 Sutherland Drive
                Toronto ONTARIO Canada  M4G  3V9

                 +1  (416)  422-5551 ext. 3041
                 +1  (416)  422-5216 FAX

            awsmith@utcs.utoronto.ca (e-mail: INTERNET)

.........




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                  End of Issue # 2977 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******