Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat.

     Asking me questions about my disabilitiy is fine with me, in my personal opinion. If I'm comfortable, I'll answer, and if not, then I'll diplomatically say so. I'm sure everyone with a disability has their own opinions of whether or not they are fine with being asked about their disabilities, and I am fine with that. I've been thinking of past experiences, and this is definitely one I want to call attention to, as I've encountered it more than once or twice. Now, I'm not writing this to point fingers at anyone or to fault anyone, but when a younger child asks me a question, such as asking why I am unable to walk, I like to answer in the best and most understanding way possible so that I can educate whoever asks. I feel that if the person does not know and does not learn at a younger age, then he/she may think of people with disabilities as "unknown" or "mysterious" or something of that nature (the "dont talk to strangers" saying comes to mind, for some reason). Surely we are "different" in that we may not be ambulatory, or we do things in different ways, but that is the key. We are the same in more ways, and we do the same things...we just do them differently. I think when someone deters, say, a child who asks such a question, it is almost like saying don't talk to "them" and that's just what I don't want...to be thought of as a "them." As an "other." This can be a tough call, as some may not like to be asked questions, and I don't really have a clear-cut answer as to how to make that an easier call. I'm just stating what I am comfortable with.

Choose your words wisely.

    Something struck me while being out and about over the weekend. I've experienced this before at times, but one can only take so much before taking to the blogosphere and posting.
    I believe it is important for people with disabilities to be all they can be, and to use their capabilities to their fullest potential. Then again, I believe it's important for anyone to do this, regardless of disability/ability. We all have our strongpoints, areas of expertise that we like to talk about. Whether these are from an occupation, side hobby, or just from plain reading, we all gain information that we are seeking from sources such as television shows, movies, books, the internet, etc. However, I've at times heard some words used describing people with disabilities demonstrating their knowledge about any subject. I've seen some people think it's quite "amazing" when we answer questions requiring us to demonstrate knowledge, to think. "Amazing" is jut one word, and other words I can think of can be "astonishing" or "incredible" or "special" or just plain "wow." I particularly dislike the word "cute." So...it's "cute" when a person with a disability gives advice regarding something - whether it is a restaurant, movie, mall, health food, etc. - to another person (who asked for the advice in the first place) with or without a disability? Really? Surely one's tone of voice when using these words can add to it, and although the tone of voice is something I find grating, I find these words even moreso. It's not "amazing" or "cute" when someone without a disability gives advice, is it?  It's normal. People ask opinions a lot, and if it's normal for people to respond, then surely it's normal for a person with (and whithout) a disability to respond as well. We are not "special" as we are just like everyone else. I wonder what it has to do with? Do some people not take people with disabilities seriously?
   Fortunately, I don't see this too often anymore, which means maybe a message is getting around. But I wanted to blog about this, as I still see people occasionally do this.

Movies

     As a film buff (or at least a wannabe film buff), I'm always into what's out there in terms of the latest films, whether they be flops, successes, critically acclaimed films, critically bashed films, big-budget studio releases, smaller indie films, and foreign films of any genre (although I like certain films more than others). This post comes at a good time, as the Golgen Globes recently wrapped up.  Movie-watching is just one of my hobbies, and I'm sure I will talk about more hobbies in future blog entries (for example, two other ones I've been doing a lot lately is reading and playing guitar). 
      One stereotype that I see among people is that people can think of people with disabilities as rather clean-cut. They don't do anything such as watching films that have anything beyond a "PG-13" rating. I'm not at all saying the actions depicted in these films are always socially appropriate, though, but still the films are out there for filmgoers to see if they want. I've encountered some people I'd say were accquaintances (not friends, as my friends know me too well to make the assumptions I talk about in this blog entry), and they'd always jump to the conclusion that all I'd do was homework. They'd assume I'd do nothing outside the lines (so to speak) and I was always angelic, always a goody-two-shoes. Of course, these acquaintances would be taken aback when I'd make an attempt to have a normal conversation, talk about whether they've heard a certain song from a certain artist, or seen a certain movie. What is it about that? Am I not allowed to see a film depicting a rave because I'm not supposed to know what a rave is? Not allowed to see a mafia film because I don't know what the mafia is? I will admit I don't rave, I dont do drugs, and I don't want to join a gang (I have never done these and have no desire to do these either) but I'm definitely allowed to see any film that is out there, as long as I want to see it. Society and stereotypes will not define what I see on the big (or small) screen. And yes, I've seen films like Pulp Fiction and The Godfather (all three) among others. 

Introduction

Greetings everyone, and thank you for reading my blog today. My name is Jay, and I have a disability. Several of my friends have blogs now - related to disability or otherwise - and I have been feeling like I also want to contribute to the blogosphere (or whatever it's called nowadays). A few things:
Feel free to subscribe, add any comments.
I'm glad to see people of all abilities/disabilities starting blogs. You know, there's thinking involved in blogging, and so it's good to show we all think! Disability does NOT mean someone is unable to think for himself/herself.
Why is this blog called "The Wrecking Ball?"  I'll talk a lot about what comes to mind relating to disability issues, disability stereotypes, etc. and have an ultimate goal in getting those issues out there in an effort to raise awareness and hopefully contribute to crushing those barriers, stereotypes, whatever you want to call them. So, the blog is a wrecking-ball (of sorts) to those barriers and stereotypes.
I'm not sure how regularly I'll be posting, but if something comes up, be sure to find my posting here (and feel free to comment). Hope you all enjoy my blog!