Mentally Impaired Audience Members- Page 4

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:38pm

Yes, lake, that's exactly what I was asking. I really think it's important to know.

[george95]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:40pm

Miss Pennywise, I see where youre coming from; its wrong to be an "armchair physician" so to speak, but regardless of what condition/disorder/issue/problem the person has, if he is disrupting a performance, that's all that matters.

And also, Down Syndrome is a form of mental retardation. People with Down's can have mild to moderate retardation, but like my cousin, they can also be severely retarded. And there's nothing with with that! (not joking)

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:43pm

I was offended by the "these people" phrase because I don't like thinking that my sibling who is ill, being referred to as one of "those people." I know a lot of you don't see a problem with that phrase, but I'm especially sensitive to it.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:44pm

"I understand your point of view, but as an audience member who paid A LOT of money to enjoy a show"


So when did producers start letting people in Wheelchairs in for free, let me see. The answer would be never. So your money is worth more!

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:45pm

I don't think you're wrong, it does sound offensive when I think about it. That is why I asked for alternatives.

[george95]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:46pm

While I totally understand where your coming from lakezurich with it sound more polite to put "people" before disabled, and I do like the way it sounds. However, I also cringe at the thought of it.
I feel like if we as a society create this new rule about how to refer to disabled people, it will trivialize their problems.
Ok I'm bringing up my cousin again, but listen. He is 27 now, and he needs to be on his own. So he is living in a single family home with 4 other adult Down's men, along with 24-hour nurses. This is not cheap. And our family, while we're not on Skid Row, we dont have money either. So its important that people like my cousin are cared for. So that's just ONE issue faced in the Down's community. And for us to sit here and debate about "do we call them disabled people or people with disabilities" COME ON there are lot more important issues out there-----once those are all taken care of, then we could worry about such petty semantics.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:47pm

Gotcha, Blaxx!

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:48pm

Didn't get your post, rosscoe, care to elaborate?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:50pm

Well, hang out in District 75 schools in NYC and you will learn quickly that no, not everyone is as well-behaved and consistent as privately seen clients tend to be. The slightest change from routine and some (not all but some) will not react in a predictable way.

jordangirl, are you seriously trying to argue about who has the better and truer experience with the disabled? Wow.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:52pm

Again, I was just responding to a question. And no one has even argued with my response, so we are not arguing about the terminology. And I am talking from experience also. I had a cousin who had Developmental Disabilities who passed away years ago, and I work for a facility in which we provide care for "people with developmentally disabilities."

[tgn915]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:53pm

Miss Pennywise, from the ages of 6-15, I pretty much lived with a girl who was mentally retarded and suffered from Downs Syndrome. The symptoms and behaviors of this particular gentleman were incredibly close to, if not exact, those of that girl. She was the daughter of my mom's best friend and was constantly around. This is the reason as to why I wasn't too perturbed due to the sounds this man was making. I'm used to these actions and have grown up with them.

Thank you for giving me the chance to clear that up. I understand that I should have been specific in that "diagnosis."

(Edit for ugly typo.)

Updated On: 2/6/08 at 09:53 PM

[george95]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:55pm

tgn, you were used to to being around a person with Down's, so it didnt bother you that somebody was making noise during a b-way show because that person had Down's?

[geaj]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:55pm

If I was at the theater and noticed a mentally disabled person "getting" into the show by making "weird" sounds, I would relish it. Imagine what was happening on stage imapacting that person so much that maybe he or she "acted out"
innapropriately. I would be thrilled that they got it and were moved. It wouldn't bother me! That's the magic of theatre!

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:57pm

George, I appreciate your story, but I have a different take on the semantics.

Our family has lived a lifetime of midnight calls from the police, APB's all the way to Arizona where she took off on a plane, a string of institutions and mental clinics, local thugs causing her to go catatonic and almost die, and her ending up in a wheelchair not able to speak or walk anymore, etc. I could go on and on.

This all makes me feel so much more love and protection towards her. Hearing a term like "these people" is offensive to me. I still worry about how I'm going to support her when I can barely support myself, but at the same time, I can feel offended at a term.

[tgn915]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:57pm

It's not that it didn't "bother" me. I mean, obviously I payed for a show and would rather see the show without any distractions. But, what I meant was, I wouldn't think to turn and give a look or even think to try and move my seat. Yeah, it'd be unfortunate but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:57pm

I would definitely be able to tune it out because of how much time I spend with the developmentally disabled.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 9:59pm

Down Syndrome is NOT a form of Mental Retardation. Down Syndrome can be a cause of Mental Retardation, but they are two distinct conditions.

Anyone who thinks this is all "petty semantics" is clueless about "society," how to effect positive change in attitude and behavior, and the issues facing people with developmental disabilities. I would expect a little more from someone with a family member who has special needs, but I guess insensitivity knows no boundaries.

After all, anyone who says, "...if he is disrupting a performance, that's all that matters" is a moron.

BTW, I found "these people" in poor taste as well.

(Tgn, thanks for adding your last post. I understand now what you "meant." )

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:03pm

Penywise, if you had read my previous posts it is not as if I have no connection with the mentally disabled. I work with them for a living.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:04pm

oh, sorry, I should not use "them"

[george95]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:04pm

Jane2, I understand your feelings behind "these people". It is a loaded term, and especially here on a messageboard where you cant hear voice tone, it could easily come off as insensitive.

Geaj, I dont think you understand what types of sounds a Down's person might make. You're making the remarks and interruptions sound "cute", which they are not. Just like in church, the first few times my cousin interrupts, sings off key, yells, people turn around and go "aww!" but then the 20th, 30th time he says something, and when he starts going "I farted!" "f**k you!!", well its not so cute anymore.

Lakezurich, I gotta hand it to you. I grew up going to 80 billion Down's events, from the National conventions to weekly park district events to religious education, and I would never be able to tune out those noises in a b-way show.
Somebody mentioned that they still wouldn't turn around and give the person a glare or something. I wouldnt do that either--I know if someone turned and glared at my cousin, he'd probably spit in their face or swear at them. I would be ABLE to tune it out of course, just like I do when I take Frankie to a movie or watch a tv show with him, but that doesnt mean after paying $111.50, I should HAVE to tune anybody out.

[george95]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:06pm

pennywise? Is calling people a moron really necessary, no matter how offensive you find their comments to be? We're having a civilized discussion here----why do you have to trash it down like that?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:08pm

Lakezurich, I did read your posts, but I was not addressing you.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:10pm

sorry, considering I was the person whose "these people" comment was being addressed I thought you were talking about me.


And george95 I agree.

[geaj]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:15pm

george, I get it. I am a special education teacher. If it becomes that innapropriate, it's the family member's responsibility to remove them. Otherwise, a few weird sounds from someone disabled doesn't require removal from the situation. Tolerance makes the world a better place.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/6/08 at 10:17pm

Yay for geaj!