Via Facebook, I saw a video on inclusion, from all different perspectives. The end challenges viewers to answer "I know I'm included when...", share it, have others do the same, and then think what it means for me to be inclusive of others in a diverse community. Here's mine - it's from the standpoint of disability...
I know I'm included when...
- people talk to me.
- people invite me to come to things, even if they are not accessible. Where there's a will, there's a way.
- people ask my opinion and value it.
- I can be Beth and laugh.
More on this...
The environment can be everything. I went to my daughter's soccer practice yesterday. 91 degrees and Beth do not get along. I pushed myself across 2 1/2 fields and then a nice guy asked if I wanted help. YES, PLEASE! I then watched practiced and no one talked to me - there were groups of 2, but I felt alone (until my husband showed up!). I tried to talk to one guy but he had his earphones in so he didn't hear me. Very strange. I then hesitated to break into the other conversations. Perhaps I should randomly ask people "how do you know when you're included? :)
Today I noticed I was 20 minutes up the road and in a different setting, but everyone was talking to everyone. I was invited; I laughed; I was included.
It's mostly the norm - traveling these 20 minutes up the road to feel included. It's also very strange.
I wonder how other people would answer the same inclusion fill in the blank. Everyone can do it. And then we could all learn something.
Peace.
1 comment:
I sit here reading your blog and feeling a kinship with you even though my age is 64. This chest pain syndrome was new to me too. My MS was diagnosed when I was 37 but I have not had major problems until the last 4 years when my walking started to deteriorate. I know I will probably need to give in to the wheelchair at some point but for now I hobble along with my cane and just hope I don't take another fall. This pain in the chest has happened several times and it is very unnerving. I know my heart is in good condition so I didn't know what the heck was going on. When it went away after deep yoga breathes I just kind of wrote it off to one of those on-going gifts of MS we get (will they ever stop?). I am very anxious to try the new drug ampyra but my HMO, Kaiser has not approved it and the $1500 a month cost is too much for me. Kaiser is reviewing it again in December so maybe they will add it to their formulary. I leave that one up to God. I do try to focus on the good and pray about the rest. Please keep your wonderful blog updated on the results of this drug on your walking. There are so many of us who are very interested in it. God Bless you my friend. Rosemary in California
denroseflatt@comcast.net p.s. My step-son, Adam Flatt is the conductor of the Denver Ballet and the Denver Philhamonic.
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