Publisher's Synopsis
This volume looks at the social, political, cultural and spiritual issues which surround disability. Ted Harrison, the presenter of BBC Radio 4's "Does He Take Sugar?", especially covers issues in the light of the failure of the Bill proposing rights for the disabled to gain government support.;Topics covered in the various chapters include: "Rights not charity" - a look at the argument that it is demeaning for the disabled to rely on charity and that they should have basic rights to enjoy a full life in society; "Language" - why are so many disabled people very sensitive about terminology yet others use disparaging terms about themselves; "To be born or not" - the opinions of disabled, some who wish they had not been born and others who are very glad they were; "Poverty and disability" - independent living is the goal for many disabled, but this is being thwarted by institutions who hold the purse strings.;"Choice" - should disabled people merely be grateful for what they have or should they be allowed the opportunity to choose as everyone else; "Disability pride" - is taking pride in disability a distortion; "Charity" - should the disabled have to display their disabilities to raise money; "Does he take sugar?" - attitudes of the able-bodied to the disabled; "Medical model or social model" - how is disability defined, to a wheelchair user it is not their disability which prevents them getting around, but the thoughtlessness of designers and planners; "Why me?" - adapting to disability often leads a person to fundamentally re-examine their own life; "God's mistakes or God's special people" - often a life which appears useless radiates goodness or prompts others into acts of selflessness.
