A couple of months ago, I put out a call for input, for an article about the unique set of challenges that people with disabilities face in our community. While non-disabled people may automatically assume that "disabled" means "in a wheelchair," often disabilities are something that we cannot see. Because of this, there are sometimes conflicts between event or ritual organizers, and members of the disabled community.
I'd especially like to thank Virginia, Willow, Kyleigh, Chad, Cyn, Aurora, Mary, and Sue for their contributions. Your willingness to share your stories is a huge asset in helping those of us who are not disabled to understand what you deal with on a daily basis. This article could not have been written without your valuable insights, and I thank you for that.
Pagans With Disabilities
Are you a Pagan with a physical disability? Have you ever felt that your disability kept you from participating in rituals or other activities? Share your story in the Comments below.
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I'd especially like to thank Virginia, Willow, Kyleigh, Chad, Cyn, Aurora, Mary, and Sue for their contributions. Your willingness to share your stories is a huge asset in helping those of us who are not disabled to understand what you deal with on a daily basis. This article could not have been written without your valuable insights, and I thank you for that.
Pagans With Disabilities
Are you a Pagan with a physical disability? Have you ever felt that your disability kept you from participating in rituals or other activities? Share your story in the Comments below.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Only physical disabilities? I have disabilities, but they are mental disabilities. We have our own unique challenges. I personally have Asperger’s Syndrome, so I mainly practice solitary. However, I have always wanted to work with a group. (Asperger’s people have trouble with social skills and group situations.) This makes it hard for me to actually participate in group rituals and such even though I would like to very much.
Blessings,
Victoria
As mentioned in the article, this particular piece of content focuses only on physical disabilities. Because people with mental disabilities have a completely different set of challenges to content with, that will eventually be a separate article. It didn’t seem reasonable to lump the two groups together.
patti
Thanks Patti, for writing an article that makes it clear paganism needs to be cognizant of those who face multiple challenges. Our coven posts information regarding the respect of members with scent challenges upon announcing each public event. We also have made provisions for a partially deaf member of the community and one of our members is studying ASL. Although we have yet to encounter community members who are physically challenged, as you describe, this article makes it clear there is a need to do so. We also have people from all spectrums of challenges. Keep addressing this issue! We are pagan, we are part of Spirit, and we are definitely not going anywhere. Blessings~
thanks for raising awareness.
blind and hearing loss, i find as a beginner to self study, one of the most significant issues might be transportation.
being able to find a group in an area accessable by public trans is a potential issue.
practicing solitary, and know of others who are visually impaired that are studying and practicing this is one common issue.
hearing loss is a comunication issue as well.
but these are just part of everyday living. locating, introducing and being acepted are right behind the attitudinal barriers that persons with physical bodies face everyday.
Thanks Patti, nicely done, the only thing I suggest to others is keeping in mind, not everyone with physical disabilities is in a wheel chair. The long walks or “hikes” to sites leave out people with heart disease, COPD, and arthritis. Thanks for bringing up the fact lots of people cant stand for long periods and cant sit on the ground or floor, chairs/benches are needed.
Thank you for posting this. It is always a good reminder that disabled people have every right to religion and spirituality.
Though I would like to comment on the issue of an interpreter. Yes, it would be very nice to have the group help find an interpreter. But most of the time, an interpreter expects to be paid. As we all know, most gropus operate in tight funds, if they have an funds outside of individual participation at all. So, while I find it plausible to say the group ornleader should help with arrangements, I do think the hearing impaired individual should expect to at least help with the monetary issue. In a perfect world, money wouldn’t be an issue, but it is. It may sound rude to say “Well, you’re going to have to pay for it” but it is usually a necessity. A hearing impaired individual should expect this, seeing as how it is common in their lives. After all, an interpreter also needs to make a living (and most likely pay off those student loans.)
I was born with Spinabifida and my mom baptized me catholic so I sometimes still go to that church,but I don’t consider myself a practicing catholic because I didn’t understand anything and agree with it. Then when I was in high school I read a book by Silver Raven Wolf. Things just made so much more sense to me! I love that I can still believe in all the things that they tell you to stop believing in as an adult. When I have gone and done a ritual in a circle with like minded people I don’t feel like such an outsider. I also don’t get the feeling people are giving me the pity look with their eyes. I would love to see more information on how I can incorporate paganism into my life. I wish I knew where to put my altar, but my apartment is very small! All I can do is have the magic in my heart and being a pagan I have found it!