Hi again, James!  This is a continuation of my previous message to you:

JB>  Starting with my first ten day trip with the city
JB>  program, I was hooked.


         We have Vancouver Parks Board to thank for getting us acquainted
with kayaking.  While they don't offer structured classes or trips like
what you've described, they know who does... and there's an informal
network of people who often turn up at afternoon & weekend events.  A
more regimented approach might be advisable, however, on a ten-day trip
with a group of teenage boys....  ;-)



JB>  Hiking, I knew I'd have to slump my own toothbrush
JB>  around, so I chose the aquatic trip, and the river
JB>  would have to slump my stuff around.

JB>  Lazy? ABSOLUTELY! 


         No, efficient.  Crazy like a fox... [chuckle].



JB>  there *is* no accounting for a persons preference,
JB>  but once to mix in the prejudices, and inflexibility,
JB>  you REALLY get me frustrated.


         Ditto.  We were talking about the woman who got all bent out of
shape because a kid in a stroller noticed that she was in a wheelchair. 
The kid was in a stroller for the same reason this woman was in a
wheelchair... neither of them could walk well, if at all, while others of
the same age might reasonably be expected to do so.  Without the
orientation firmly stuck in the 1950's this woman might have realized we
could relate to her problems.  We have no need to stare at a wheelchair as
if we'd never seen such a thing before.  I often wish other people would
pay more attention, as a matter of fact!  We've had several pedestrians
collide with Nora's chair because they didn't notice it... (sigh).



JB>  I keep tellin' the sister, if the person's intent is
JB>  dark, how do you deal with that? If the person actually
JB>  wants to improve, adapt, or at least get along in peace,
JB>  that's where I prefer to be.


         Amen!  I guess it's the teacher in me... but if I see some
indication that a person is willing to learn, I'll be there.  I'd like to
think we're all struggling toward the light as best we can.  We can't be
sure what is going on inside another person's head, but one really has to
wonder at times... do they feel they get more mileage out of collecting
sympathy and/or complaining about how stupid, ignorant, thoughtless &
selfish they believe everyone else is??  I have seen others fall all over
themselves to please someone like that....  :-/



JB>  If I step aside to let someone through, the abled walker
JB>  often takes a step in hesitation. (Maybe ingrained to not
JB>  put themselves ahead of the downtrodden???) I tell them,
JB>  "Slow moving traffic takes the right lane." and wave them
JB>  through. Hell, it can break up their day too, and their
JB>  work environment seems a little more tolerable for the
JB>  rest of their day. I still haven't heard a good comeback
JB>  to that one.


         That's a great line... I love it!  When one is in a wheelchair
waiting to cross a busy street & there are motor vehicles headed in all
directions, the best way to negotiate the crossing safely may be to wait
for things to clear up a bit.  We tend to wave people on ahead of us
through doorways as well....  :-)



JB>  Lots of smiles though, and that's all that counts.


         Humour can be a wonderful teaching tool.  Hang in there....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+