By Cyndi Jones, Publisher
I welcomed the news last year about Dolly, the sheep that was cloned. I figured that help was on the way. No, I don't mean that we are just looking for a few more good sheep, but rather soon we can all just go clone ourselves. But in the meantime, I believe that mentoring is the preferred technique.
The truth is that mentoring is a valuable, long-term commitment to the Movement. It may, in fact, be the only lasting one. Mentoring is a special relationship that helps both partners grow into their full potential. The mentor encourages, nourishes and models leadership.
A newcomer might just need to be actively included. You know, "Why don't you come to the meeting?" or "Do you need a ride? I'd be happy to pick you up." Or perhaps, "You'd be good at that. I'd like to submit your name for that committee."
Each of us must choose the issues that are most important to us to work on. The next step is the hardest þ let go of all the rest. We have to have faith that someone out there will pick up what we let go of. And the irony is: someone is eager to work on those issues, but didn't want to step on our toes.
I have been following an on-line discussion about media and the disability press. The question is: How do we get the mass media to understand the disability rights message?
Then there are conversations about the Right-to-Die: how can we have an impact on medical ethicists?
What about MiCASA þ HR 2020? How are we going to keep this legislation on in-home, personal assistant services moving forward through the House of Representatives?
What about medical research? How do we educate medical researchers to understand what's important to people with disabilities? Do we abandon this area because it seems hopeless? Or do we push harder?
What about IDEA? How are we going to insure that our kids get the best education? Are we mentoring our next generation and their parents?
What about technology? How can we obtain the appropriate technology and how can we afford it?
What about the struggle for athletes with disabilities to compete in the New York Marathon? What about Paralympics 2000?
In my local community we also have issues to champion: a newly remodeled football stadium with less than desirable access; and proposals for a new central library, a baseball-only stadium and an expanded convention center. The disability community knows that if we aren't vigilant, these too will be built with less than desirable access. It seems like the powers that be are trying to build everything all at once just so we can't watchdog it all.
There are so many issues in so many different fields of expertise. Everyone must do what they can, and then encourage just one more person to take on something else as well.
This year I'm going to look for opportunities to be inclusive, to draw a circle large enough for all comers. Then practice giving away as many tasks as I can.
Here's to a great '98!
Cyndi Jones is Publisher of MAINSTREAM.
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