Yes, yes, this is exactly the scenario I had in mind when I made that comment. I’m not offended when a person who only knows me from the written word says that I’m a damn fine writer (thank you, by the way, and ditto).
Working on it…
We shall see. 
Damn, I just wrote a brilliant post about how I see a connection as a Black man to umkay’s response to brickbacon in the regard that we are often expected to serve in advocacy roles regardless of our interest, appropriateness, or ability to do so - and that part of the experience, in my life, is drawing the line on “okay I will be an advocate (whatever that means) on this topic, on this issue” and simply saying, “I wish things were better, but it’s not my job to save the world/Black people/Black men 24/7.” I have to live my life the best way I can, that takes care of my mental and physical state, then I can help others.
But it disappeared… ugh. Anyway, great response, umkay.
Bricker and I disagree on practically everything. Thought it was worth mentioning that before saying I concur with him completely on this point.
All except for ‘feeted’. That’s ‘footed,’ dammit.
Had to find something to disagree with him about! 
Ah, you’re too kind.
But let me tell you what I think. I have a very dry, sometimes acerbic, style of writing. It’s conversational but lectionary – as though I were teaching an academic subject. I like to think I have a gift for explaining complex legal issues, for example, in ways that resonate with people with no training in the law.
But it’s not an intimate voice I have. In other words, when I write, I explain, I debate – even as I am doing now!
When you write, you INVITE. “Here’s my mind; join me for a while,” your prose says. Mine says, “Sit down, and let me explain this to you.”
Someday I may write a textbook.
Someday you’ll write a novel that will be made into a movie.
I’d say this thread is excellent disability advocacy because it shows disability in the context of life-one with disability-melding and mixing successfully with a world that hasn’t necessarily ‘caught up’ with all the realities and necessities of the disabled world. It (this thread) serves dual purposes: not only does it fight ignorance for the many able-bodied people who make up this ‘unaware’ world; it also provides a source of encouragement and positivity for those who may be earlier-on in their journey through life with a disability.
Two big thumbs up. 
I liked the quasi-homonymic relationship between feeted and featured. Sue me.
Good for him! When fate (God?) conspires to give a person who moves the world forward a disability, and that person takes the baton and runs with it, joyfully, it’s a boon to us all. Just like when someone with an amazing voice also has the desire to become a recording artist, and we all get to benefit from their artistry. But not everyone with a great voice can or should become a star (the opposite is also true but that’s a whole 'nother story, haha). Same with a person with a disability, I think.
I find immaturity, most times, is a lot more interesting and enjoyable than maturity. Don’t you?
a.k.a., being a brat.
I don’t doubt you, but I haven’t the slightest idea why you would think I would know anything about that.
cough
Hm. Sometimes, I suppose. But most of the time, I just think they’re overly excited about the novelty of my situation, and the only thing they can think to say is that I should write a book about it. Because, naturally, they’d like to slurp up all the gory details. This is what I call the “Extreme Home Makeover” effect.
Oh, just thought of one way to know if people are complimenting me on my writing prowess or are just interested in the wheelchair story: How often are other people on this forum told they should write a book? I’m a relative newcomer, and already I’ve come across some of the most brilliant people and fascinating writers I’ve ever read, right here on this forum. So, old-timers, is it a common theme in threads to have a lot of this literary encouragement going on?
For me, advocacy is important exactly because I want me and every other wheelchair user to be able to live their life according to their dreams; I want them to be able to achieve their goals just like every other American (or person). It is outstanding that Umkay is able to do just that-and I believe she is doing a very good thing doing what she is doing here-but on a larger scale many disabled folks cannot. Being an advocate is not something every disabled person can be; its just not feasible (or wanted) for some.
But for others, like myself, it is the only direction their life can take. Because I am not stricken with poverty and because I am not stricken with debilitating physical issues resulting from my injury, I feel as though I am somewhat freed up to pursue these advocacy issues. I am not looking to make ‘a name’ for myself or to necessarily be in the public eye. I just know that if not me, then who else? Who else will be motivated to work for the rights and quality of life for wheelchair users and the disabled? Or maybe I should say “who better”? You’ve got to go out there and start the change you wish to see.
Yes, disabled people should be able to just live life just like everybody else; pursuing their goals and dreams. Of course not every person using a wheelchair needs to be an ‘advocate’; however if all those people in chairs are ever going to have a chance to really live that life in a way that lets them pursue those dreams and goals in a fair and equal way then disability advocacy is absolutely needed.
This. And I can think of examples from both sides (though nothing as profound as the issues we’re discussing here.)
When I was younger, I was a girl interested in science, math, and engineering. So, my parents and teachers naturally sent me to a lot of talks and workshops where someone would talk about how women could succeed in science and were just as capable as men, or something like that.
I found women-in-science talks tiring (I mean, I’d rather just hear about science), but I also found them disturbing. I went into science because of my love of science, and these talks made me think that there was a lot of societal prejudice against it, and that was scary.
What made a bigger positive impression on me was seeing people, not even necessarily women, out fearlessly pursuing the sort of science that I wanted to pursue, like it was just a normal thing for them. That was a life that I could aspire to.
From the other side, I went to middle and high school with some kids who had obvious physical disabilities. At first, it was awkward and disconcerting to be around them. But, I saw them a lot through the course of school, and it didn’t take long before they became just two more of my classmates.
In my senior year, they started a band. We were joking around about it one day, and one of them said something like, “We could call our band ‘The Blind Guy and the Cripple!’” (exact disabilities changed to protect the innocent.) I was like, “What? Where’d that idea come from?” Then I remembered that one of them was, in fact, blind, and the other was, in fact, someone you could describe as a cripple.
I didn’t remember that they were disabled like that at first because it had stopped being a relevant part of their identity to me long, long ago. And this is the way it should be-- people judging each other only for who they are as people. I also know that it will eventually be this way for any other disabled people I might meet.
This is not an experience that a disability advocate could have given me (not to knock disability advocates, because I know they do valuable work); because it’s something that I could only really internalize by just having someone like this as a part of my everyday life.
So, I feel like umkay is certainly fighting the good fight by just being out there in the world, and being a meaningful part of other peoples’ lives.
While I have read the entire thread, I didn’t do it today, so if I’m wrong, be gentle, but have we actually gotten to 12 pages without someone asking what kind of music you like? That’s one of the most interesting things to learn about someone and one of my favorite ‘get to know you’ questions.
However, if, like my cousin, your answer is something along the lines of 'Ohhhhhhh, I don’t really like music…", then feel free to pretend you never saw my question. It was soul-crushing to hear that from her and, out of self-preservation, I’ve decided to believe that she’s the only person on Earth who feels this way.
(And just in case you’re wondering, this is not an attempt to steer the topic away from a discussion of advocacy. I’m just curious about your taste in music. :))
I’ve been told I should teach law. Does that count?
I’m in a rush now so I don’t have much time but I’ll expand on it later: but a distinction needs to be made between old-school disability advocacy and what current disability advocates practice. Traditional, older disability advocacy centers actually promote the very obstacles and stereotypes regarding disabled life that they purport to eradicate. There existence is part of a vicious cycle.
Almost all of us have told Sampiro he should write a book, and I think he is doing so actually. (If you haven’t read any of his epic threads about his family you really need to do so.)
I see what you did there, and I think it’s sweet!
Semi-oldtimer here. It’s not all that common, though with many notable exceptions like Sampiro. I believe there are at least a dozen or so published authors on the Dope, including, that I know of, various kinds of nonfiction and science fiction. I’d say you’re unusual here in that your voice isn’t very geeky, in either the pedantic mode Bricker mentioned or any of the typical geek humor modes we do so well here. I am betting that your novel will be one of those ones people argue about as to whether it qualifies as Chick Lit, because it will be engaging and energetic and personable and you really can’t have that in Serious Litrachah, you know. That kind of authorial voice is rare on the Dope and everydamnwhere else, IME.
Can the rest of y’all who are not using craptastic iPad keyboards dig us up some Best of the Dope threads to share with umkay? I can contribute
The Horror of Blimps
The Telemarketer Speaks. I Respond.
And perhaps THE classic example of SDMB geekery, FYI: A lady’s corset provides minimal protection against a dildo attack.
This exactly. My live in girlfriend/fiancee of six years uses a wheelchair (although her disability isn’t even in the same ballpark as Umkay’s). She is the person I know most intimately and spend the most time with by a long shot, so my brain has completely filtered out ‘disabled’ as part of her identity. It can in fact be detrimental sometimes when I forget she even needs help getting around in public and walk on as if I am with another AB person. This actually extends to any disabled person I meet.
Everyone can’t have a disabled SO though, so things like this are necessary. Umkay didn’t set out to inspire or preach, she simply opened a window into her life and let us peek inside. This is the internet equivalent of getting to know a person for who they are. Now that we know this about Umkay, I think the next helpful step will be for her to post normally around here and just be another name among the many who debate and discuss any wide variety of things. Eventually when we see Umkay we won’t be thinking of her as a girl in a wheelchair.
When I first saw this thread title a few nights ago I almost didn’t look inside because I already know a “girl in a wheelchair” and I knew the drill. Address them directly and not their companion, do not assume physical and mental disabilities are the same thing, flying sucks, etc. And yes people tell her she should write a book too. I’m really glad I ended up clicking though, I stayed up the rest of the night reading with fascination. Since then it has really stuck with me and I find myself checking in every time I go online.
So basically I want to add my tiny voice to the chorus of encouragement here. Thanks for giving your time and energy so generously Umkay, I know that I am much more informed and socially aware for it.