Dave, I couldn't have said it any better! You obviously have a lot of insight as well as a great outlook.
I still find myself needing to work on the anger at having lost so much, but I do my best to keep a positive attitude. People ask me all the time if I'm OK or not feeling well, etc., and I tell them that it's just a part of my life, and I'll be better on another day. I'd much rather be asked what's wrong than have those strange stares; that is annoying! ;)
as a lifelong 'disabled' person myself, i find that its absolutely pointless trying to 'educate' the mass morons in the worlds societies about 'our' ABILITIES..i think for able bodied people who find themselves 'crippled up' through illness or accident.. life must be a whole lot difficult to cope with..
Different people react to becoming disabled differently. As for educating the "mass morons", the best method is by example, in my experience. When people SEE someone doing what their preconceptions had said was impossible, it really makes a huge difference in their whole view of the disabled population.
@IvoniceAstrid That's not really fair seeing as most people who watched this video are generally making en effort to understand your abilities. I don't think they would recommend this video to 130 OT students if it wasn't educating.
'Cripps' actually makes 'us' sound quite snazz. I actually like to use the word 'cripple' when talking about myself, but I know a lot of (able-bodied) friends who don't liking me use it about myself. *shrugs* I guess it's a preference thing.
Well said - I spill my dinner down myself nearly everyday... My disability is largely invisible and also much disputed but - Hell - I still have a sense of humour... and NO PITY either - I hate that....
Yes it does clarify your thoughts very much. Thank you for taking the time to expand on the subject. You make quite a valid & thought-provoking point.
Would you please care to elaborate on this comment further? Regardless of how a person describes or labels their disablity, they are ALWAYS a person 1st. Their disability does NOT define them.
that stubborn old cowlick wouldn't lay down would it Dave? It's all that thrashing about on your trademark stripey pillow. heehee. anyway that was very well said, thank you Dave!
i wouldn't care if you were cartwheeling during this video...you just have a way of getting to the heart of the matter and i truly enjoy that..great vid..take care, shannon
hahah..."I'm not gonna crack and leak all over the place...that was funny. I'll have to remember that one. There were a Lot of interesting points you discussed that I hadn't thought of or heard put in quite the same context. Thanks for helping me rethink ways to interact differently with all types of people.
Hey dave, I'm a newbie here on your posts (blog) and I'm glad to see that you have gotten into the computer seeing how you're flat on your back most of the time. Anyway I got a couple of questions. Do you have problems with bed sores? How do you bath? Do you have one of those chairs that rolls into the shower for you to use? Last but not least, how come you ended up in Puerto Rico? Is it cheaper to live down there?
I'm stuck in bed because of a stubborn bedsore that is real slow to heal. I transfer into the bathtub when I take a bath. I loath shower chairs or trying to use 'em to shower. They're uncomfortable and clunky and generally suck. LOL...
No, Puerto Rico isn't cheaper, but actually more expensive. It was one of those incomprehensible creatures with bumpy bits. LOL... You'll have the full answer if you look at my first and second vids.
Dave, So do you have a full time care taker? Or are you able to get around by yourself (from bed to bath?) I hear you with those bed sores, I have bad circulation in my feet and I get them all the time on my ankles. Have to go to a special foot doctor about it and it isn't fun, especially when he's goes picking and prodding. I would figure that laying on your back would make your bed sore worse if that's where it's located.
Thanks for the great response Dave! I need to remember not to drink soda while watchng your videos. I snorted sprite twice!
I appreciate your message that "cripples" are substantially the same as the rest of us. But, there's some difference that I can't seem to ennunciate and you seem not to have encountered.
For instance, near where I live groups of deaf people meet once a month. I've found as a group they are extremly much more sensitive/touchy than most people. Talking / dealing with them scares the hell out of me and is part of the source of my "tip-toe" around their feelings mentality.
I gotta stop replying to my own comments but, I think there is often a substantial difference in people who were whole and then crippled versus people that have had to live their whole lives being made to feel inferior by the ignorance of the majority.
Why don't you make a video and try to describe what you're getting that makes you see these deaf folks as so much more sensitive, and why you'd think there's a difference between people born crippled and those crippled up later, and I'll pop another response back and we'll have a dialog not restricted by X number of words. LOL...
I always feel like if I ask about or bring up your disability, you may not want to always start out that way. I'd think you'd get tired of it after a while. Every time you meet a new person, you have to go into the whole story again. So I'd think it would be a relief if somebody didn't ask right away, but rather tried to suppress that curiosity for a time and get to know you from a different angel. Is this wrong?
It takes about ten seconds to answer most of the questions I'll get from people with enough detail to satisfy their curiosity, and then things move on from there. It's not a big deal. Some other stuff takes longer, but rarely gets asked because until someone gets to know me, they never notice this or that aspect of spinal cord injury. If it answers a question, it makes the conversation that follows easier because you're not distracted by that unanswered question. :-)
As a person with CP thank you so much for showing that we are just people like everone else.
christy50 2 years ago
Here is another definition of "crippled" from the American Heritage Dictionary: A damaged or defective object or device.
I don't consider myself damaged or defective. I do object to the term "crippled".
I do concur with your point of view of how we should be open to each other no matter our differences.
susangm 4 years ago
Dave, I couldn't have said it any better! You obviously have a lot of insight as well as a great outlook.
I still find myself needing to work on the anger at having lost so much, but I do my best to keep a positive attitude. People ask me all the time if I'm OK or not feeling well, etc., and I tell them that it's just a part of my life, and I'll be better on another day. I'd much rather be asked what's wrong than have those strange stares; that is annoying! ;)
~~ Kat ~~
Katatawnic 4 years ago
smart guy. respect
alboss13 4 years ago
as a lifelong 'disabled' person myself, i find that its absolutely pointless trying to 'educate' the mass morons in the worlds societies about 'our' ABILITIES..i think for able bodied people who find themselves 'crippled up' through illness or accident.. life must be a whole lot difficult to cope with..
IvoniceAstrid 4 years ago
Different people react to becoming disabled differently. As for educating the "mass morons", the best method is by example, in my experience. When people SEE someone doing what their preconceptions had said was impossible, it really makes a huge difference in their whole view of the disabled population.
CoquiDave 4 years ago
@IvoniceAstrid That's not really fair seeing as most people who watched this video are generally making en effort to understand your abilities. I don't think they would recommend this video to 130 OT students if it wasn't educating.
Thanks CoquiDave :).
MissCjohno 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you need to get up out of that bed and do something with your life, im sick and tired of cripps and you lazy asses
grannytranny2 4 years ago
'Cripps' actually makes 'us' sound quite snazz. I actually like to use the word 'cripple' when talking about myself, but I know a lot of (able-bodied) friends who don't liking me use it about myself. *shrugs* I guess it's a preference thing.
Nemithena 4 years ago
Well said - I spill my dinner down myself nearly everyday... My disability is largely invisible and also much disputed but - Hell - I still have a sense of humour... and NO PITY either - I hate that....
deadgirldreaming 4 years ago 2
Yes it does clarify your thoughts very much. Thank you for taking the time to expand on the subject. You make quite a valid & thought-provoking point.
SomaSounds 5 years ago
Would you please care to elaborate on this comment further? Regardless of how a person describes or labels their disablity, they are ALWAYS a person 1st. Their disability does NOT define them.
SomaSounds 5 years ago
that stubborn old cowlick wouldn't lay down would it Dave? It's all that thrashing about on your trademark stripey pillow. heehee. anyway that was very well said, thank you Dave!
leahknits 5 years ago
I'm waiting for your book
shawnde82 5 years ago
Very Well Said :)
AngellStarr 5 years ago
i wouldn't care if you were cartwheeling during this video...you just have a way of getting to the heart of the matter and i truly enjoy that..great vid..take care, shannon
shannister 5 years ago
Great video, I just subscribed.
vitalfinds 5 years ago
Thanks Dave - good point that we all have our problems. That yours don't make you bitter is an inspiration to many.
Starfires 5 years ago
Thanks for that Dave. It's a real pleasure to listen to your wisdom.
periurban 5 years ago
DAVE, TAKE CARE !!!
robindesbois 5 years ago
Very valid points
valeriea616 5 years ago
Hi Dave do you have much physio to keep your muscles toned?
roadrocket 5 years ago
hahah..."I'm not gonna crack and leak all over the place...that was funny. I'll have to remember that one. There were a Lot of interesting points you discussed that I hadn't thought of or heard put in quite the same context. Thanks for helping me rethink ways to interact differently with all types of people.
kewltyme 5 years ago
Hey dave, I'm a newbie here on your posts (blog) and I'm glad to see that you have gotten into the computer seeing how you're flat on your back most of the time. Anyway I got a couple of questions. Do you have problems with bed sores? How do you bath? Do you have one of those chairs that rolls into the shower for you to use? Last but not least, how come you ended up in Puerto Rico? Is it cheaper to live down there?
Chris
PS I perfer the word disabled myself.
CMale0624 5 years ago
Hi Chris,
I'm stuck in bed because of a stubborn bedsore that is real slow to heal. I transfer into the bathtub when I take a bath. I loath shower chairs or trying to use 'em to shower. They're uncomfortable and clunky and generally suck. LOL...
No, Puerto Rico isn't cheaper, but actually more expensive. It was one of those incomprehensible creatures with bumpy bits. LOL... You'll have the full answer if you look at my first and second vids.
CoquiDave 5 years ago
Dave, So do you have a full time care taker? Or are you able to get around by yourself (from bed to bath?) I hear you with those bed sores, I have bad circulation in my feet and I get them all the time on my ankles. Have to go to a special foot doctor about it and it isn't fun, especially when he's goes picking and prodding. I would figure that laying on your back would make your bed sore worse if that's where it's located.
CMale0624 5 years ago
Thanks for the great response Dave! I need to remember not to drink soda while watchng your videos. I snorted sprite twice!
I appreciate your message that "cripples" are substantially the same as the rest of us. But, there's some difference that I can't seem to ennunciate and you seem not to have encountered.
TheBashar99 5 years ago
For instance, near where I live groups of deaf people meet once a month. I've found as a group they are extremly much more sensitive/touchy than most people. Talking / dealing with them scares the hell out of me and is part of the source of my "tip-toe" around their feelings mentality.
TheBashar99 5 years ago
I gotta stop replying to my own comments but, I think there is often a substantial difference in people who were whole and then crippled versus people that have had to live their whole lives being made to feel inferior by the ignorance of the majority.
TheBashar99 5 years ago
Why don't you make a video and try to describe what you're getting that makes you see these deaf folks as so much more sensitive, and why you'd think there's a difference between people born crippled and those crippled up later, and I'll pop another response back and we'll have a dialog not restricted by X number of words. LOL...
CoquiDave 5 years ago
Agreed. The 500 limit is annoying.
TheBashar99 5 years ago
Very good video Dave! :)
HoneybunchesRN 5 years ago
Darn, I'm so proud that you're originally from New Mexico (right?) Thanks for giving us answers that we all need.
fafaintexas 5 years ago
His was a dood one and your answer was a good one too.
BNDS9 5 years ago
I always feel like if I ask about or bring up your disability, you may not want to always start out that way. I'd think you'd get tired of it after a while. Every time you meet a new person, you have to go into the whole story again. So I'd think it would be a relief if somebody didn't ask right away, but rather tried to suppress that curiosity for a time and get to know you from a different angel. Is this wrong?
ClayThrower 5 years ago
It takes about ten seconds to answer most of the questions I'll get from people with enough detail to satisfy their curiosity, and then things move on from there. It's not a big deal. Some other stuff takes longer, but rarely gets asked because until someone gets to know me, they never notice this or that aspect of spinal cord injury. If it answers a question, it makes the conversation that follows easier because you're not distracted by that unanswered question. :-)
CoquiDave 5 years ago