Comments on: Defending Against Terrible Palsy

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:23:42 +0000

Ugh .. no need pity — good for the elderly woman to learn new things anyway. One time the elderly woman found out that I am Deaf .. and felt sorry for me. She handed me 20 dollars cash but I smiled and walked away. What a life!

By: kait

kait — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:02:30 +0000

While I was listening to your story, I somehow put myself in the character of the ignorant lady. Now I myself am a nurse AND a starer, because I like watching people. And I also have a disability, although it is usually “invisible.” (HA!) My face might have registered something too, something like, “Oh God I get some of their difficulties. And look, they’re fine!” Because I am not yet accepting of my disability, this look might have expressed pain, or pity. For myself, that I am not at that okay place yet (not even convinced that I will be someday). But I know that my beads would have been moving in thanks for the scene that I was allowed to witness, for the example to me. However, ignorant lady’s questions and comments I have no explanation for. Those would have put a look of scorn on my face, clearly not a helpful response. Thanks for sharing this story, and in such a way to give me more to think about.
kait

By: Jana

Jana — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:08:59 +0000

MARTIAL ARTS!!!! You go girl!!! I always thought of taking karate or something!

Hey, I’m doing interviews for another blog, and was going to see if you’d allow me to interview you again?

By: RennyBA

RennyBA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:51:43 +0000

First of all, thanks for being so open and sharing this with us Glenda – you are a woman with great guts!

Like others have said: The problem is this woman’s and her reaction!

Keep up the good work and indeed; keep us posted

By: Glenda

Glenda — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:28:13 +0000

Thanks Jacqui, my warped sense of humour helps in moments like those! Sometimes it is a blessing that I’m non-verbal because people really don’t want to know what I’m thinking right then. It always amazes me how people think they can ask us anything, as if our lives are an open book.

Great idea, Debra. Thank you. And, pictures from class MAY be forthcoming.

By: Debra Helwig

Debra Helwig — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:19:15 +0000

Hi Glenda:

Perhaps you should get some business cards printed up with your blog address on them, so when people act like that, you can give them one. That opens a door both ways — you combat the “terrible palsy” because you know you’re giving them an opportunity to learn the truth; and suddenly they have an open door to learn it.

You are doing mighty things and telling a powerful story here. Let the medium work for you in this instance as well.

Congrats on the martial arts class, by the way!

Debra

By: Jacqui

Jacqui — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:59:37 +0000

Hi Glenda. I personally would just feel sorry for her for being so shallow. Then go and treat yourself to a bag of M&Ms. As hard as it is, just take the time to realise what a fantastic job you are doing – you are changing the world and how people think – one person at a time. You are one of my heroes

By: Glenda

Glenda — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:15:16 +0000

Thanks Mary, you’re right. I don’t know what she was praying. That comment was presumptuous on my part. But, it was a look of pity on her face.

By: Mary McD

Mary McD — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:00:07 +0000

Glenda,

Maybe you can frame this differently. Instead of imagining that she was praying that she didn’t catch it, she was praying that you have the strength to make it through with continued good spirits. I mention this because my mom is a big believer in prayer, and often says that she prays for others who bear more burdens than those around them. It is not out of pity; rather, she does it to strengthen them for the road ahead.

Hugs,
Mary

By: Karen Putz

Karen Putz — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:24:09 +0000

I’m sure she learned something from you both that day.

Hmm, next time that happens, discuss a little bit about your ahem, S – - life. That should truly enlighten!