Whims & LP Unity

[Guest guest]

Very well said! Now if Other Xtians would only feel that way, this would be

a better place.

N

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[Guest guest]

Hello Whims and all,

I didn't see the beginning of the thread but let me

tell you, as a Christian (Catholic) conservative

woman, I have absolutely no issue with you or how you

live your life. Why? Because it's none of my business

and second I have my own life to worry about. True

Christianity is about love, not hate, the haters are

what give us a bad name, and they need a lesson in

what God's love is.

This is my point as well, which I see only a couple

people responded to my post (thanks) about change! So

I guess this doesn't bother anyone else? Just keep our

heads buried in the sand? Put personal crap aside and

let's start uniting ourselves! LP's and true LP

supporters! I just see too many people be okay with

how things are and not get involved or care, too much

complacency. If we keep going how we are we are just

wasted voices and power. It's ashame because a lot of

us have hot air in us, we could do some good.

-

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

LTNS.

Was your previous post a 'call for action'? The beginning of a

discussion perhaps? I think we might be finding it difficult to 'name

the action', you brought up a lot of good issues, but in such a

diversity of categories.

" - LP's are not in mainstream movies, they are still whimsicle characters "

You are right, it seems that we are not included as everyday

characters in most mainstream media. I've yet to see one news reporter

who is a dwarf. Roles are few for those with any differing ability in

any TV program, it's limited for us and others such as individuals in

wheelchairs. I'm having trouble remember the last physically limited

(so to speak) actor I saw play a mainstream role on an evening

program. seems to be busy with movies, others are involved in

touring stage plays and I'm not quite sure what Meredith is up to

these days. But, let's do note that Lee is being kept quite busy.

I was hoping she'd be in Vegas over Memorial Day weekend when I'm

there. But, not this time.

So what do we do about this? I don't think visual perception and

acceptance will come if focused only on individuals with dwarfism, I

think this is one of those instances where it has to be a national

effort that goes beyond our so called 'disability'. We all have

friends/family/ neighbors/peers/colleagues with differing abilities

who are also not portrayed as everyday characters. They are in

wheelchairs, blind, hearing impaired, some have CP, Downs Syndrome

......... this is not solely avenue that isn't open and welcoming to

those with 'dwarfism'. In my opinion, we (community of dwarfs) will

not make much headway alone. We are really a minority in this arena

and Hollywood is still marketing as they did years ago, despite ,

Meredith and other's very 'recent' success. If you don't 'look' a

certain way, they can't wrap their heads around casting you. Hell,

even supposedly ugly/geeking folks on TV are better looking than they

have to be for the role. Most of those who pay to watch are still

trained to prefer those who look like " (and gawd, to name the list of

'pretty individuals' would go on forever) " , few are ready to stop a

fantasy from entering their house every day through the magic screen.

TV is basically about fantasy. Movies are basically about fantasy.

Talk shows we won't even bother going into, they're more about

nightmares and making us feel better that we're not on THAT panel.

BUT, if anyone knows a Producer/or the Director of 'The View', tell

them I'm ready to replace Meridith Viera!!!

" - LP's have to prove even more they can do the job just as someone else "

Another arena where I think we have attact as a coalition of those

with differing abilities. I know it is harder for some than for

others, and employers are slow learners. To a degree we have to be

prepared educationally to compensate for our short-comings height

wise. I appreciate that in 2006 I can be the Director of

..blah.blah.blah..., perhaps not an opportunity I would have had say 30

years ago. We have a long ways to go, but I wish organizations like

LPA had kept better records through the years. I think a show of

progress is an incentive to spur on the masses to keep raising the

bar. I'd just like to see the progress line for that bar.

I'm thrilled to recently have read several posts from individuals who

are now nurses. (and a big CONGRATULATIONS! to them) This is an area

where I wondered if we'd make headway (and I admit I had my doubts).

And now I know. Nursing is a physically demanding job, and they have

proven that they can successfully tackle it. I'd love to see a

show/magazine article hightlighting one of them. Any writers out there?

One arena I wish we (dwarfs) were more successful in is being elected

to political office, especially past the city level. Politicians

receive a lot of media coverage and having a hmmmm Governor who also

happens to have a type of dwarfism would be a tremendous coup. She/he

would be receiving media attention that would be recognized by an

entire state of individuals. Maybe soon. Politics is a tough arena and

not everyone lives for the black and blues.

" - LP's get stared at often, can't step out of your door with out it

happening "

This is one avenue where we are making slow, but steady progress. And

yes, it's all in how you see progress. Positive media exposure does

help, and that includes the Roloff/Foos shows (and the many others

we've had in the last 5 or 6 years). As well as portrayals by the

actors who are dwarfs and manage to land more mainstream roles on

occasion. In 'our' lifetime the stares will not stop, there aren't

enough of us around. We are a novelty, people will look. We don't

blend in. We do stand out. Sometimes the recognition works in our

favor also. I don't think I'm unforgetable based on my charm alone ;-)

More and more of us should join Barbara in her LPA sponsored efforts

to have those with dwarfism visit schools and create awareness. I'm

thrilled to do our classes here on the campus, but at some point I

understand I should find the time to spread the word out into the

community.

" - The world doesn't even know the proper terminology "

More and more the world is learning. Maybe if more people in the

community who write were published in mainstream magazines,

recognition will pick up speed. Again, this is an avenue where I think

we only make headway via public media. On these discussion groups

we're preaching to the converted.

Notice one thing; in how many recent articles related to the Foos and

the Roloff shows did we read the word 'midget'? Few, if any. I

vaguely remember one reference. I keep saying I should be copying the

pages off the net, just for the sake of having the information stored,

as most electronic newspapers eventually delete the information.

" - LP's struggle with health insurance and poverty "

Read any discussion group for those with disability issues and you'll

see the same conversations/issues reflected there. Health insurance

companies are a business, out to make a profit. They don't care about

you, they care about your money. They want your money and they pray

that you stay healthy (or they create roadblocks when you need the

money you invested) Few can say (as I can) that they paid for full

premium coverage (yes, I'm blessed in many ways) from the age of 20 to

37 or so before really dipping into the pot. In all of that time, I

barely hit my deductable each year. The good old U.S. of A. needs to

see how this issue is addressed more realistically and I mean for all.

As long as it is a business, we will suffer. Sadly we are investing a

fortune overseas under the pretext of 'saving' others, while many

suffer here. Let's refocus and save ourselves. (but that's a whole

other soapbox)

" - Dwarfism seems to be the only disability that is okay to make fun of. "

If every time someone like Kimmel said something ignorant we'd follow

up like Bill did we'd make more headway. Sadly this doesn't happen. If

less folks watched programs such as South Park, with it's juvenile

humor that insults so many, we'd be better off. If we were able to

create an awareness that most of these adult cartoon shows are

insulting to so many, we'd make headway. But, I'll again bet that a

lot of us watch and enjoy them, laughing along when they ridicule

others. If anytime we heard a mis-reference to us as 'midgets' we'd

call for a writing campaign (as I mentioned a few weeks ago) we might

be successful with that industry. But, on the average folks come to

the list, to reflect on their indignation and not provide an avenue

for a successful letter writing campaign. So, it's stays within the

converted (and insulted).

" This is my point as well, which I see only a couple people responded

to my post (thanks) about change! So I guess this doesn't bother

anyone else? Just keep our heads buried in the sand? "

I think we are all bothered to varying degrees. I just don't think we

understand what kind of response you were seeking. But, let me ask a

question; is political action one of the themes to be discussed in

Milwaukee? We seem to gather mostly for socialization, rarely to have

a successful (or even unsuccessful) 'political power/action'

discussion. Unity in this type of diverse group is difficult to

achieve and even more so when we are all over the place (regionally).

I honestly don't remember ever hearing of such a session at either a

National or a Regional gathering. Perhaps I wasn't paying attention.

Overall we are a 'small' group of LPA members. It's hard to say we

have any power or we can gather any real momentum. How do we bring

more into the fold? We all know there are few individuals with

dwarfism in the general population in this country, when do we talk

about outreach? What can we as members of LPA do? How can we help our

chapters, our districts, the VP of membership? Where are the minority

members of the community? Who is reaching out to them? We must cross

boundries created by color & ethnicity if we are to have the strengths

of those communities behind us when we need to do battle.

Where do we have to become a presence to make a difference? Are there

conferences for OB/GYNs that we can attend and set up an information

table? What about those for Ortho docs? Do we serve on Boards or

Committees at our local Hospitals? (which reminds me I should get back

in contact with HSS who has asked me, I'm never going to be free of my

responsibilities and make room on my schedule, might as well just add

it to the list) Is there a electronic campaign to send out information

to those (clinics, doctors, hospitals) who need to know about our

Medical Resource Center <http://medical.lpaonline.org/>? Or LPA in

general? I think the medical profession needs to be kept informed and

we need to use them as an avenue to spread the word. Too many parents

are being misinformed even in these times.

For the most part I will bet that most of the outreach into the

population comes through media exposure. (and this is in no way a

'dis' on our volunteer elected board member) You can see a steady

stream of new individuals joining these discussion groups and the

dating sites the minute one of the 'dwarf' themed shows airs. Are

those same individuals joining LPA? Somehow we have to piggyback on

these efforts, harness their power. Look the gift horse in the mouth

and keep feeding it.

" I just see too many people be okay with how things are and not get

involved or care, too much complacency. "

As we live busier and busier lives it's difficult to stand up and

march to all of the drummers. I wish I had the time to 'spread the

word' for LPA, right now I'm spreading the word that one of the

contestants for the 'Biggest Loser' will speak at our 'Healthy

Together' campus event in a few weeks. <www.kean.edu/~healthy> (No,

I'm not the Director of Events, just happen to work for the woman who

ends up successfully orchestrating these events. We had over 4000

folks on campus for a 'Healthy Halloween' event and it's theme

revolved around obesity and children.) Everytime we have one of these

'events', a bunch of us spend hours (working and non-working)

electronically posting information ALL over the place, in addition to

the local paper coverage/ads we have to pay for. But, in the end it's

all worth it. (I say that now, in October when I saw the mob heading

for our crafts area I wanted to hit the 'fast' button on my scooter

and run away.)

In order to fight complacency in groups this big we need to formulate

a plan of action. We need to grasp the tail of the animal, and slowly

begin to pull it in, not try to lift the entire elephant and have it

fall on top of us.

I can hear the snores from across the country all the way here in my

office.

Hope to see you in Milwaukee Moni

(at least my scooter is now fully charged and I can go away for a

wonderful weekend getaway)

>

> Hello Whims and all,

..........

>

> This is my point as well, which I see only a couple

> people responded to my post (thanks) about change! So

> I guess this doesn't bother anyone else? Just keep our

> heads buried in the sand? Put personal crap aside and

> let's start uniting ourselves! LP's and true LP

> supporters! I just see too many people be okay with

> how things are and not get involved or care, too much

> complacency. If we keep going how we are we are just

> wasted voices and power. It's ashame because a lot of

> us have hot air in us, we could do some good.

>

> -