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dailyrecord.com
Time for women with
disabilities to speak out
June 27,
2006
There is
nothing like a room full of dynamic women to get an exciting program
off the ground. That's what happened at a recent forum I attended
concerning, according to the brochure, "social issues, relationships
and sexual health regarding women with disabilities."
Sponsored by The Women with
Disabilities Health Care Task Force, the New Jersey Council on
Developmental Disabilities, and the Speicher-Rubin Women's Center at
New Jersey City University, this program was titled "Celebrating
Women ... where we've been, where we are, where we're going."
The topics ranged from lack of
fundamental health care for women with disabilities to their social
life, the need for understanding from the public, and governmental
issues.
The keynote speaker was Kate
Blisard, an energetic advocate for women's concerns. Her forthright
nature made her a natural to discuss subjects that are personal and
intimate to all women.
She used the word "mosaic"to describe the many women in the room. We
were of all nationalities and all ages. We had different physical
and mental challenges and were at different stages of life, but she
said, "We have the same hopes and dreams like any other woman."
Blisard spoke about the sad truth
of finding an understanding physician who truly understands women
with disabilities. Most of the time, their general health is ignored
and preventive medicine is almost nonexistent. The Dark Ages are
alive and well in the medical profession, and doctors, therapists,
and caregivers must realize that ignorance and prejudice can no
longer be accepted.
Every woman in the room was on an
individual journey, and Blisard used the words "hard-earned wisdom,
empathy and humor" to describe the everyday challenges faced in a
world that has a tendency to see physically and mentally challenged
women as "helpless, useless and sexless human beings."Nothing could
be further from the truth.
A lively panel discussion brought
up a variety of subjects, including intimacy and privacy in respect
to relationships, the underserved disabled lesbian population, and
mental health issues.
Panelist Paulette Eberle is a
freelance journalist who writes and works as a strong advocate for
equal rights for all people with disabilities. She just happens to
be blind. With her guide dog Prudy at her side, she described
herself as an "old war horse" that has been through just about
everything.
Eberle discussed what she saw as a
fact: that female children with disabilities are seen as having
little value to society, and their wants and needs are secondary to
their nondisabled sisters. They are not encouraged to be whole
persons but asexual individuals. I found her to be a
thought-provoking presenter.
Other panelists discussed self
image and self esteem and finding a life partner who can adjust and
understand the disability as well as the individual. One of the
conclusions reached was that women must become more politically
active to foster change, especially when it comes to our health.
It may have been a small group, but
we agreed that it had been a mighty one. Blisard finished by talking
about the small miracles she has seen for challenged women over the
years. We do have better education, more acknowledgement and
recognition, meaningful jobs and value, which comes as we value
ourselves more. We do have a contribution to make to this world, and
remember, "equality is never achieved alone."
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060627/LIFE03/606270350
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