=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
30 August 2004

**********************
>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
**********************

*Calendar of Events
*Announcements:
National ADHD Awareness Day, Sept 7, 2004
*Feature Article: The Moral View of Disability
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

******************************
>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
******************************

This calendar only has events for the next 3 or 4 weeks listed. It
also does not list some other CHADD groups which may be closer to you
and it does not list some non-CHADD events. For a thorough calendar,
including directions, look at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule
and also http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule/otherevent.htm.

============================
Marin - 8/30/2004, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call First...
30 Catalpa, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048
============================
Contra Costa - 9/1/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Goal Setting Challenges
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
Santa Clara - 9/1/2004, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Silicon Valley Adult, Parent and Spouse Support Groups -- Separate
peer-facilitated groups let you share struggles and strategies with
each other. Includes video.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
Sacramento - 9/7/2004, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
Back to School -- School study strategies for kids with ADHD
presented by Rich Lougy, MFT, Author of "ADHD a Survival Guide for
Parents and Teachers"
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento - Contact: Greater
Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
============================
Stanislaus - 9/7/2004, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================
Alameda - 9/8/2004, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
Marin - 9/9/2004, Thu. 7-9 pm
Lea Del Pomo, employment development counselor -- Learn about
special vocational services offered at Marin Employment Connection
for folks with disabilities including ADHD. Learn how Lea can help
you navigate those services.
Family Works Counseling Agency, San Rafael - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Santa Clara - 9/14/2004, Tues. 7:15 - 9 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- Support and community-resource
information for the partners of folks with ADHD. PLEASE NOTE: This is
NOT a support group for people with AD/HD, nor for couples, nor for
parents. It is EXCLUSIVELY for PARTNERS of people with ADHD, and
others will have to be turned away.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Gina Pera: 888-759-9758
============================
Contra Costa - 9/15/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD -Open Discussion.
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
Santa Clara - 9/15/2004, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Bonnie Emerson, Asst. Principal, Modesto -- Will discuss parents' strategies.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
Napa - 9/16/2004, Thu. 7 - 9 pm
Parent/Guardian Support Group -- Focusing on education, ADHD
strengths,and strategies to manage challenges.(it's good to call
first to confirm the date/time and to inquire about the meeting's
topic).
St. John's Lutheran Church, Napa - Contact: Karen Shepard:
707-452-8970, or ksnapa@...
============================
San Mateo - 9/18/2004, Sat. 8 am to 5 pm
"Healing Anxiety, Depression and ADD" - with Dr. Daniel Amen as
keynote speaker. -- Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute's Ninth Annual
Symposium
Tyco Electronics Corporation, Menlo Park - Contact: Kitty Petty
ADD/LD Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit http://www.kpinst.org
============================
San Francisco - 9/20/2004, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group -- Share skills and strategies for success at
home, in the workplace, in relationships, etc. (It's a good idea to
call to confirm dates, get ideas on parking. etc.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco - Contact: Rachel
Rosenfeld: 888-759-9758
============================
Contra Costa - 9/21/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Adult Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
============================
Marin - 9/21/2004, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett, Professional coach and
organizer. -- Free, drop-in peer-support group. Talk with others who
really understand. And share and develop life skills. In addition, if
you want to work on skills for sorting and purging papers, bring your
paper piles.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
Marin - 9/27/2004, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call First...
30 Catalpa, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly Seerley: 415-383-6048
============================
Online - 9/28/2004, Tues. 4 - 6 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat -- Sandra Reif, MA, will chat on "Back to School" Issues
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================
Contra Costa - 9/28/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
============================
Sacramento - 10/5/2004, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
The New ADHD and Bipolar Disorder -- Presented by John Capel PhD.
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento - Contact: Greater
Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
============================
Stanislaus - 10/5/2004, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
============================
San Francisco - 10/6/2004, Wed. 7 or 7:30 TBA
Jonathan Mooney speaks! (Hold the Date) -- Parents Education Network
(PEN) and Convent of the Sacred Heart High School presenting.
Donation requested at the door.
Syufy Theater, San Francisco - Contact: Parent Education Network
(PEN): PENBayArea@...
============================

*************************
>> ANNOUNCEMENTS <<
*************************

September 7 is the first annual "National ADHD Awareness Day"!

***************************
>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
***************************

The following article has been published with kind permission from
the Self-Advocacy Resource Network -
http://www.selfadvocacy.org/SARN/sarn_2004August4.htm#article01

Villains and Charity Cases: The Moral View of Disability

Have you ever been called special? Or perhaps you've heard the line
"don't be so retarded." These comments reflect a widespread attitude
toward disability-the moral view of disability. People with this
viewpoint talk about disability like it's either some sugar-coated
sweetness or it's bad. These attitudes are a problem for
self-advocates because they make it hard to be treated as a regular
person.

1. What Are the Three Views of Disability?

Societies have long sought to explain disability. Historically, the
two most prevalent viewpoints-that disability is either a moral
condition (either special or frightening) or a medical condition (a
malady to be cured by experts)-have had a profound and mostly
negative impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Only
recently has a third view of disability emerged: that people with
disabilities are regular people, a minority group with the same civil
rights as others.

2. What Is the Moral View of Disability?

The moral view of disability is the false idea that people with
disabilities are morally different from others. We are pre-judged as
being either especially good or especially bad because we have
disabilities. Under this moral view, self-advocates are not allowed
to be regular people. Instead, we are labeled-as special angels,
innocent and worthy of charity, or as frightening, evil and worthy of
ridicule. Both moral stereotypes (good and bad) have led to problems
for people with disabilities.

a. The History of "Disability Is Bad"

The idea that disability is sinful has been around for thousands of
years. Like many today, ancient people thought "perfect" bodies were
a sign of goodness or godliness. Logically, then, "imperfect" people
were thought to be evil-it was God's punishment for sin. Consider
this passage from the Bible: "As he walked along, he saw a man blind
from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or
his parents, that he was born blind?'" (John 9:1-2). In the 1500s,
Protestant reformer Martin Luther said that "[children with severe
disabilities are]... a mass of flesh with no soul.... The Devil sits
in such changelings where their souls should have been."

More recently, it has been movies, books and language that tell us
"disability is bad." Notice how often villains and monsters are made
to look like people with disabilities: Goliath, Frankenstein, Dr.
Strangelove, Mr. Hyde, the Mountain Troll from Harry Potter, Captain
Hook. Even our language makes disability into something bad. Words
that describe a disability (idiot, moron, fool, retard, blind and
lame) usually end up meaning "bad."

Because they were so often considered evil and dangerous, people with
disabilities have faced mistreatment. Segregation has been the rule
throughout history-in homes, leper colonies, asylums, "hospitals" and
large institutions. Public ridicule has been considered acceptable
behavior toward people with disabilities since ancient times, from
professional "fools" to freak shows. Sadly, the fear of "evil" has
led to even worse problems-violence toward people with disabilities.
From ancient Greece to modern America, violence toward people with
disabilities has included physical abuse, neglect, abandonment,
forced sterilization and even killing.

b. The History of "Disability Is Special"

Not everyone in the ancient world thought disability was evil. There
were a few who challenged this faulty belief. One of these people was
Jesus (4 BC - 29 AD). He rejected the notion that disability is
caused by sin. Instead, he advocated compassion and service to the
powerless and outcast. The early Christian Church accepted Jesus'
call, providing services for people with disabilities. Rather than
sinful, people with disabilities now came to be stereotyped in the
opposite way as "holy innocents," special souls worthy of charity.
And the charity worked two ways: It helped the people with
disabilities have better lives and helped the helpers get to heaven
(special helpers).

This idea that "disability is special" is, of course, everywhere
today. Many religious groups continue to provide "special" services
to self-advocates. On a broader level, the term "special" is now
practically synonymous with "disability."

c. The Harm of the "Special" Label

Let's look now at how the "disability is special" viewpoint affects
people with disabilities today. Certainly, this attitude motivates
many individuals and groups to provide services. Over the years,
countless charity programs have emerged to address problems of abuse,
neglect, abandonment, unemployment and poverty.

Unfortunately, the "special" stereotype undermines self-advocacy.
First, self-advocates are denied the right of personhood. We are not
seen as regular people, but as special. Second, this attitude
promotes segregation because special people are treated separately.
Consider such often well-meaning structures as special education
classes, "special" weeks at summer camps, Special Olympics, sheltered
workshops and even group homes. All these programs segregate
self-advocates (because of specialness). Finally, this attitude
places control in the hands of others. As recipients of charity,
people with disabilities have seldom been empowered to decide things
for themselves. Too often, service providers have remained in control.

3. How Can Self-Advocates Respond to the Moral View of Disability?

Although these moral viewpoints are everywhere, we can break free of
their negative power. First, we need to learn to notice them in our
lives. Then we can practice openly discussing these stereotypes,
challenging our friends and allies to join us in exposing these
harmful myths. As we work together, we can make a difference.

Respond to this Memo!

To share your thoughts and comments about the content of this Memo,
please send an e-mail to act@.... To have your
response(s) shared on the ACT Web site, please state your permission
in your e-mail. Please also mention whether or not you would like
your name included with your posted response(s).

Source: Advocating Change Together, Inc.

Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a self-advocacy disability rights
organization, started in 1979, whose goal is the advancement of
self-advocacy as a civil right for persons with developmental and
other disabilities. ACT has developed tools and materials that help
individuals and groups promote self-advocacy in their lives and work.

Call for catalog:
1-800-641-0059
Mail: ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network, Advocating Change Together
1821 University Avenue, Suite 306 S.
St. Paul, MN 55104

**************************
>> PLEASE TELL US <<
**************************

We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and CHADD of Northern
California more beneficial to you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences with us and other
members. Please feel free to write to us about anything that you
would like to see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at Lew@.... Simply
replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

************************************
>> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <<
************************************
UNSUBSCRIBE
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Center_of_Attention-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

This will not affect your CHADD membership.

SUBSCRIBE
If this was forwarded to youŠ
You can subscribe by sending an e-mail to:
Center_of_Attention-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Feel free to forward this newsletter to others
and they can subscribe the same way.

CHANGE ADDRESS
To change your e-mail address, simply:
1. Unsubscribe from the old address
2. Subscribe from the new one

*****************************
>> CHADD INFORMATION <<
*****************************
Visit our webpage at http://www.chaddnorcal.org if you wish toŠ
* See the up-to-date schedule
* Read this newsletter and the archives
* Join CHADD of Northern California or renew your membership

About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support *

Contact:

--

Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758