Re: Teaching
Valerie Brew-Parrish (brew-parrish(AT)juno.com)
Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:48:13 -0500
Carol,
I am in awe of you! I am so impressed that you taught high school English
all those years and that you opted for a spinal fusion late in life. That
was gutzy! I had mine when I was 7. Only 3 hosp. in the world did the
Riser method (no rods; pulverized bone)Children's Mem. in Chgo, one in
CA. & one in France. I had a full length body cast for a yr. When they
took the cast off the air hurt my body.
Carol, have you trained your hubby to be your medical advocate in times
of medical crises? Rick knows everything about my condition and is a
tremendous help. All disabled persons need an advocate. Don't beat
yourself up about not being stronger in times of medical crises.
Emergency rms. are dangerous for us. My dear friend Dr. Allen Goldberg
and I always had a dream about working together to sensitize the docs
"before they become what they become." (Allen's quote) I hope you can
come to the next polio conf. Although I no longer run a support group, I
still talk to survivors and docs & send them a packet of polio info that
I have assembled. I'd be more than happy to send you or any one else on
this list my info.
Here are the mags I suggest you subscribe to:
*Mainstream (operated by a husband & wife team who are polio survivors;
this is a great mag for anyone with a disability; thought provoking) I
had an article in Mainstream in the April issue. I wrote about a blind
friend of ours who survived the Oklahoma Bombing.
*Accent on Living (Ray Cheever is a friend and polio survivor; I have
been pestering him to have a sleep study; published since 1956; newsy)
*The Ragged Edge(formerly called "The Disability Rag; (I had an article
in this mag about the sordid displays of disability simulations. March
'97. Received positive feedback from the disability community)This mag is
not for the timid. They publish hard hitting stories about MDA,
Discrimination, etc. I love it. I think you're ready for it. Makes you
know you're not alone in your feelings.
*MOUTH--I enjoy this one too. It can be somewhat raunchy but it's honest,
revealing, well put together.
*One Step Ahead--Resources are excellent. Dr. Lauro Halstead(polio
survivor and physician) writes a monthly column as does my friend, Dr.
Carol Gill(psychologist; polio survivor & vent user) I have some extra
copies I use when I do workshops. I include them when I send out the
polio info.
*New Mobility--heavy emphasis on sci, but they cover disability rights,
polio, etc. It's excellent!
There are some other good ones related to travel for people with
disabilities and of course I read all the ones on blindness. My oh my,
the blinks have it together. We, the physically disabled should model
ourselves after them. Then we'd have some power.
I hope this helps Carol. Please let me know if you need any additional
info. Oh yes, I detest blood gasses too. OUCH!
Val