Those with disabilities share a unique and rich culture. From the early fight for basic rights--often just to live, to modern rights movements and the evolvemnt of adaptive equipment in the age of computers and such--our experience is often misunderstood and overlooked as less valid or simply unrecognized as dynamic. Here I seek to reach out to others with disabilities and discuss relevant issues pertaining to the Church. I am deeply interested in others views/thoughts/feelings/experiences regarding both the social and doctrinal aspects of Church life from the unique perspective of a member of the disabled community. I welcome all views but wish to explain mine here: I see my disability as part of who I am. I do not have autism as someone might have cancer; I am autistic. It is not something that can be taken away to make me "better." I do not want cured anymore than someone would want cured of being male/female or black/white. Every category of the human condition has advantages/disadvantages. Mine is no different. (I refer to myself and friends as disabled, autistic, deaf, blind, CP, whatever--I do not generally subscribe to "person first" references; however, others often consider this polite, so I may use this from time-to-time. When speaking/referring to those who ask me to use "person first" references, I will--though, genreally, only when asked to.)
In light of this, I want others' input. I want to know how others think and feel. I want to discuss how my and/or other views merge with Church ideologies such as eternal progression and family life (and resurrection).
I also encourage those outside the disabled community to share in this as well.