Reply #15: You have a point (as do Jerry's critics) [View All]

[NMMNG]

Jerry's Telethon does demean and stigmatize people with MD in the process of seeking funds for MD research. And, in general, there are still great barriers that people with all forms of disability face in America today. It is best to try to avoid adding to them even if it is in the act of seeking assistance for them.


However the radical disability activists (who prefer the term "mislabeled" to "disabled") could indeed advocate themselves and their peers into an un-fulfilling and even dangerous situation. They wish for everyone, regardless of level of disability (physical or mental) to have complete authority over their lives in every respect. While this is generally desirable there are instances in which particular individuals have reduced capacity or are simply incapable of exercising informed consent due to the extent of their particular disability(ies). This, however, does not matter to some of the most extreme activists.

I work with people who are developmentally disabled. Once an administrator in my agency was conversing with the publisher of a radical disability-rights magazine. She was insisting that everyone should have full-control of their money and living arrangements no matter what. He asked her what she felt about an instance in which a person with profound MR and no survival skills, who would certainly die for lack of ability to arrange for care. Her response was (near quote), "We are fighting a war here, and in every war there will be some casualties".

Extremes in either direction are not desirable or wise.