(John) Edwards rankles area disabled (Don't pat me on the head alert)

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.com ^ | 2/24/04 | Joseph Spector

[Diddle E. Squat]

The Center for Disability Rights knocked Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards

[Dog]

Whoops....back to sensitive training for Edwards.

[Joe 6-pack]

“Just because I am a woman who uses a wheelchair, does not mean anyone should be patting me on the head. That is so 1950s.”

[Spok]

"They were also frustrated that Edwards didn’t address disability rights during his 20-minute stump speech before about 500 onlookers."

That's because he was only talking to the cameras.

[SelmaLee]

Dear Senator Edwards:

"No one has ever been healed by a frivolous lawsuit."

[Blue Screen of Death]

After Clinton, she should be glad it was only her head that got patted.

[merry10]

A person's wheelchair is an extension of them. I've heard of people in church putting their feet on people's wheelchairs.

[merry10]

As the mom of a deaf girl who signs, I do think it's important to have interpreters at political events. I think I saw one at some of the Dean event coverage. The Superbowl usually has some beautiful interpretation of the National Anthem, but I have not seen that in a couple years. Thanks for posting this.

[steplock]

"disability etiquette" ??

Another "right" discovered by the left-wing radicals?

When will this end!??

[Diddle E. Squat]

I've heard of people in church putting their feet on people's wheelchairs.

Now THAT would make my blood boil.

But I get the impression that many of the complainers at the article's event were the professional disability agitators, who can be quite unpleasant and never satisfied. Far different from those advocates seeking basic improvements and awareness. So I hear your concern about the interpreters, and if I were in a wheelchair probably wouldn't be to happy with a pat on the head, but would first consider the intent.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I apologize for my phrasing of my last post, I promise you it wasn't intentional(but still is embarassing). Right now I really, really wish there was an edit function on our posts.

Please let me try again: I recognize and understand your concerns about the lack of interpreters.

Sorry about that.

[merry10]

Gosh, I didn't even notice that you said anything wrong (and still don't). Please don't give it another thought. I agree there are those professional disability agitators as well as professional agitators. I got to meet some when I went to Bush/Cheney in Burbank in 2000.

Right now I would like my workplace to hire a deaf man from Rochester. He may sign, but we don't know. They want to "put him" with me becuase I sign. However, nobody has talked or emailed this guy and I think, hey we don't even know what the guy can do, and here you guys want him to work with me, only becuase I sign, but in reality - he may have very good lipreading/oral skills and should be with the engineers since he IS an engineer!

Anyway, you really said nothing wrong. Please dont' worry!

[merry10]

They wanted to see and hear what Edwards had to say. That was not afforded to them. Were they supposed to guess? People in wheelchairs and those who can't hear, vote. I sincerely hope the Republicans do make sure that all who want to hear Bush/Cheney make sure that they

[merry10]

They wanted to see and hear what Edwards had to say. That was not afforded to them. Were they supposed to guess? People in wheelchairs and those who can't hear, vote. I sincerely hope the Republicans do make sure that all who want to hear Bush/Cheney make sure that they

[Tamzee]

I grew up in Rochester and think it's pretty interesting he dropped the ball on having sign language available at this speech. Rochester has an immense deaf population... so much so that my friends and I all grew up knowing basic sign language even though none of us were deaf. Even if Edwards wasn't aware of this aspect of Rochester his supporters there really should have clued him in. Although from the bit about his patting a woman in a wheelchair on the head, maybe he's just socially inept ;-)

[Tamzee]

Agreed :-)

[maica]

Every event that I saw (one time in person and as much as possible on TV) during the 2000 election, candidate Bush had a signer.

About Edwards not being aware of his expected audience, I ask myself "WWMD?" if the situation had involved GWB.

What Would Media Do?

[merry10]

Okay, I didn't see this. I hope he continues it for this campaign.

Edwards handlers were really wrong on this! how can you not know your audience! ?

[HIDEK6]

disability rights

This is a bunch of crap.

[merry10]

It's actually not. Wait until you're disabled and you don't have access to the most common things; then you will see how it affects you.