Originally posted by Xuxan:
Disability pride isn't about being proud of the the impairment your body has - it is about being proud of the cultural and historical contributions of people with disabilities, it is about celebrating the ability of (atleast some of us)people from diverse backgrounds and abilities to work together. It is about being in a place (the parade) where having a disability is ordinary. It has very little to do with any individual person. It is about being part of an extended family - not a family you were born into - but a family you share some similar characteristics with.

Originally posted by Xuxan:
Teh Gay Pride parade in NYC is wonderful. Not to be missed if you get a chance. If you ever thought you were weird - there is going to be someone at that parade who is weirder.

Originally posted by Xuxan:
Disability pride isn't about being proud of the the impairment your body has - it is about being proud of the cultural and historical contributions of people with disabilities, it is about celebrating the ability of (atleast some of us)people from diverse backgrounds and abilities to work together. It is about being in a place (the parade) where having a disability is ordinary. It has very little to do with any individual person. It is about being part of an extended family - not a family you were born into - but a family you share some similar characteristics with.

Originally posted by katka:
If you think a whole group of people with disabilities parading to be considered "ordinary"
you are incredibly naive.

"I think it was perhaps the most important thing that happened to me. If formed me, guided me, instructed me, helped me, humiliated me, all those things at once. I've never gotten over it, and I am aware of the force and power of it."

Originally posted by flicka:
Have you ever been in a crowd of people with disabilities? It's a fearfully "normal" feeling.

Originally posted by StarlightAngel:

Quote:

Originally posted by flicka:
Have you ever been in a crowd of people with disabilities? It's a fearfully "normal" feeling.

it's actually a traffic jam of wheelchairs. which is one reason why i prefer to do the crip solidarity thing online.

i also don't see the point of parading it down the street tho.

Originally posted by katka:
Exactly! I wouldn't feel "ordinary" in a group of disabled people anymore than I'd feel normal in a group of blondes.

Originally posted by Blueonetime:
But to me it sounds like a parade or celebration of something like your mother dying, or your house burning down.

Originally posted by Blueonetime:
Why parade something that (to me anyway) has been negative and difficult.

Originally posted by Xuxan:
Karen,
It might be considered a traffic jam of wheelchairs if by disability you meant chair user - but the parade is actually people with every kind of disability. And as lots of the participants can't walk/roll the length of the parade route there are lots of floats, flat bed trucks, and convertibles. (In fact, I need to get on renting a convertible!)

The point of parading down the street is in part to celebrate and to be seen celebrating. Last year there were 3,000 people in the parade and about the same watching. Except that part of the parade has been to invite everyone to join us - and so the a lot of parade watchers actually disappear into the parade.

Susan

Originally posted by StarlightAngel:
sounds like fun if you're into it. i am just not comfortable being on display like that. rather uncomfortably reminiscent of circus sideshows imho.

Originally posted by flicka:

Quote:

Originally posted by StarlightAngel:
sounds like fun if you're into it. i am just not comfortable being on display like that. rather uncomfortably reminiscent of circus sideshows imho.

I've felt that way about every parade I've been in. I've been in one parade since being disabled and that was a local mardi gras parade. But, I still felt on display.