"I found myself saying to myself ...I can't live where I want to ...I can't go where I want to ...I can't do what I want to do. I can't even say what I want to. I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to ...that seemed to be the only thing I could do that didn't concern anybody but myself."
Georgia O' Keeffe--
These words were read and I was taken back. Of course, what she painted did concern others. Everything we do affects others. In her day that was a popular belief, but we are learning better. If you do not believe that, look back at history. What Napoleon did and was considered his business affected the life of the French people and the countries he conquered. What Hitler did and he considered his business affected the life of the Jewish population in Europe and the whole world. They are not the best examples compared to Mrs. O' Keeffe, but these people left their footsteps of personal choice and beliefs forever imprinted in world history.
What every person does affects what happens to another person. It ripples out and touches all who are around you. How does this deal with the world of disabilities and the real world of human differences and lives?
In the earlier history of disabilities, as I was taught, the people that were born or were disabled later on in life were put in hiding or even allowed to die. It was believed that these were faulty people and that they had no rights and no reason to live. Things did not improve quickly and it took several great movements for civil and personal rights before the group of citizens with disabilities had representation.
The adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act started an awakening in our country concerning the citizens with disabilities. The returning soldiers that came home with disabilities from serving our country made the issue even more important. The marches to the White House and the new issues now being lobbied in our state capitals and our national Capitol keep bringing these issues into the daylight.
A new language, "People First Language," is now being incorporated into the writing of laws, and are now replacing older language. We are learning a new way to speak about an important part of our citizenship in the world and the United States. This language is now reaching the smaller communities and areas. This change is represented in the changing of "handicapped parking" signs to "Accessible Parking."
New concepts of independence and integration are now being formed. This comprises the ideas behind statements such as: "I want to live at home," or " I know I need wider doors and different dimensions in certain areas of my home. I know I may need help, but I still want to live at my own home."
This is also being expressed in simple but emphatic ways like- - "I want to go shopping" - "I want to go to church" - "I want to go where I want to, like you do." to increase the chances that these wishes become fact, laws have been passed to allow the entrance of public buildings to be accessible to all.
The need for health care is also being addressed: "Why can't I get these services at home, instead of being confined to a specific living space in an institution." " I don't need to live in a small space with anyone just working with me." " I need a certain amount of room like people without disabilities to thrive and prosper." " I need my privacy and my private places."
The hope has now grown into - "I want to work." " I want to get up in the morning and I want to get dressed and go to work." " I want a chance to make my own contribution to the world." " I have something to contribute and I have talents, too." " I don't mean to cause inconvenience, but I hope that an accommodation can enable me to feel like a real person in a real world . " "I want to make a living or at least help to make my living if that is possible."
But, back to Mrs. O'Keeffe's statement at the beginning. We should all have the opportunity to pick our home even though it was not where we may wish it. We should all have the opportunity to say or not say what we think in measured words. We all might not could go where we want to go, but we need to make that decision on our own. She said we could not do what we want to do, but we all have that problem. A lot of that deals with priorities, and what do we deem important.
Mrs. O'Keeffe could and did paint the way she wanted. She was a great painter, and I have enjoyed her paintings myself. She put herself in her paintings, and she made a difference in the world each time a completed work left her easel. Whether she realized it or not.
I hope that one day that I too will make a difference to someone else. I hope that one day my goals of where I want to be, and how I choose to go there, and what I set goals to do will be possible. But I also know that the paths I choose will affect all who are around me, and that I do have an influence now-- and as long as I live.
What I paint of my life is a choice that I exercise everyday? What image I chose to portray to the world is also for me to decide on. How we look at the citizens with disabilities and how we want them to live in our society is reflected in how we chose to support them in everyday situations. They have their own pictures to paint.
I do not do, live, say, or go anywhere I wish, but I do know that I make the choice for me. No one else can decide for me, even if they intend it to be for my good. I am a person, and every person should make these decisions for their own life. If help is needed, they need to be included in the making of the decision, not excluded.
The paths we chose for ourselves and what choices we make have an affect on our outcome. The journey is where the affects are made, though. Not when we reach our goal, but on the way to it. When we do reach our goal, a sigh of relief is there, and a chance to rest as onward we go. We can choose to sit and not move further, or keep on heading after a new goal.
Cause and Effect will always shape our world. The ability to chose is not a question of is it a right, but why can't I choose when I see others who do. My disability should not change this part of my life. The ability to chose is not a question of is it right, but why do I not have the choice when others do.
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This is no way a statement against Georgia O'Keeffe. In fact, she made me think. She was a great present day "thinker" and I thank her for evoking us to think for ourselves. I hope that this will allow her to speak to us, even in her death. She was a great American, and recognized by receiveing the Freedom Award from President Ford. I feel that she would like the idea of our citizens with disabilities also being able to enjoy their freedom in the United States.
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