Disability²

Blind Father Injured in Ecorse House Fire (more…)

Fireman Who Spoke After Being in Coma Dies

Donald Herbert, a fireman with a brain injury made headlines last year when he suddenly began speaking nearly a decade after a severe brain injury. Mr. Herbert’s longtime friend demonstates the value people with severe disabilities have for their families when she said: (more…)

Malala Gaono pictured with his daughter Kayla

Paralysed player battles to get his life back again

62-year-old Redding woman gives birth to 12th child

A 62-year-old woman gave birth Friday to a healthy 6-pound, 9-ounce baby boy, becoming one of the oldest women in the world to successfully bear a child. . . . [Janise] Wulf is used to defying the odds. Blind since birth, she was a synchronized swimmer in high school, worked as a piano and organ saleswoman and developed a passion for cooking.

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Some Mentally Disabled Learn Dating Skills

This looks like a great program:

At “You and I” events, the participants — the guys outnumber the women 16 to 3 — learn “social-sexual skills,” with specifics on body language, grooming and conversation starters. There are also sections on feelings, body awareness and sex education.

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Here we go again. Another crip birth story. When I saw the previews for the Inside Edition story about a disabled mom proclaiming “half a woman gives birth” I was filled with dread. Sandwiched between “Paula’s Broken Heart” and a story about buying lingerie, things were not looking good. (more…)

I’ve seen several articles lately about returning disabled vets, and a number of them highlight the struggles their families have, adjusting to their disability. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any organized support given to these parents. Undoubtedly these parents will have the same questions, concerns, and need for support that other parents with disabilities need. Hopefully the Veterans Administration will develop a way to diseminate information to these newly disabled parents. (more…)

An interview with Ouch!

Unfortunately most US television viewers cannot watch the Child of our Times series, but BBC should be commended for including a parent with a disability equally in their series. This interview highlights two common characteristics of disabled parenting. The series features Alison Lapper, a physically disabled artist who is a single mom, and who has been featured in documentaries about the birth and infancy of her son Parys. (more…)

Colorado Father Not Giving Up on His Lost Son

Father fights for Custody of Son He Never Met

David Archuletta, his son, and the adoptive parents are victims of an overzealous adoption agency and a system that all too often treats children in adoption as chattel of their adoptive parents. I have no idea what the adoptive parents think, although having had an adoption reversed myself, I can only surmise they are terrified at the prospect of losing their son. (more…)

3-Feet Tall Woman Gives birth to healthy baby

San Francisco Chronicle Story

With all due respect to the Vasquez’s, I’m frustrated that their story is considered news. While her doctor is amazed at the birth, it would be far more accurate to remind the public that women with disabilities give birth every day, even women with “rare” and “fatal” disabilities for whom pregnancy is “risky”. If the doctor had expanded his world view and done that, we would not be reading the story, because ordinary typical events are not news.

Also troubling about these stories is the quick report that the infant did not inherit his mother’s disability. Would his value be any less? Would the infant be any less cherished? Does the reporter plan on chastizing the mother for daring to have a child with a disability?

I am reminded of Bree Walker and the public outcry that resulted when it was learned the popular newscaster’s children had inherited her disability. When thinking of reproductive freedom, most people think of the right of women to not to have children. For women with disabilities, including Eloysa Vasquez, reproductive rights means the routine fight for the right to have children. I’m saddened that Ms. Vasquez feels obligated to disclose private medical information about her newborn son, but given the fight she had just to be allowed to continue her pregnancy, I can’t blame her for not wanting to continue the fight after her son is born.