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Last Saturday night, 3 of my girlfriends, my brother and I, went to the 2010 Spring Frolic. It’s a fundraiser for the InterFit Integrated Fitness Society in North Vancouver. If you’ve ever come to visit Vancouver, or you are lucky enough to live in this amazing place, you know, that there is nothing that takes you closer to the wonder of this planet than a walk in our great forests. That is what the Integrated Fitness society is all about.
We got all dressed up and headed out to the Delbrook rec Centre. I didn’t know what to expect, because I had never been to one of their events before. The event used two large rooms, one of which was decorated in a magical way with twinkle lights and tables of 6 or 10, each with white linens and the most lovely floral arrangements. The floral arrangements were mostly indigenous flowers, placed into a wide bamboo tube… really beautiful. Surrounding two sides of the dining room were about 10 gambling centres… if that’s what you would call them… there were Black Jack tables and Roulette and Craps and a few other games…. by now, you probably have guessed exactly how many times I’ve gambled… well, I did win 10 cents when I was in Vegas at a slot machine! Anyway, it turned out that I had some kind of magic touch with the dice that night and ended up winning $500! When we arrived at the event, we were given $300 worth of “funny money” to gamble with. It was so fun! There is something really great about gambling with pretend money…. I just loved it.
One end of the room had a stage where Adam Woodall entertained. I really enjoyed him. I had never heard him before and am pleased to say that he was really great… and, as a one man band, he had people up and dancing. Nice work.
The other room harboured the food, and the silent auction items. I had put a few Buggy Bag Lap Blankets in, so I was hoping they would get some action. Both of them sold and I got to meet both of the people that bought them, so that was really cool. It’s always exciting to get to talk to and meet the people that use the product.
There was also a live auction with a very good auctioneer. What makes a very good auctioneer you ask? Well, to me, if I can understand what they are saying… they’re good! MC Denny Williams also had my girlfriends and I chuckling numerous times…. oh, yes, and, did I mention the bar tenders? There’s something about a man in a Tux…. 
My only regret about the evening, is the fact that I got so wrapped up in the fun, friends and food, that I forgot to take pics for my blog… I did put a plea out to people, for some shots, and, if any come, I will insert them later… sorry! Pics are always the best part, especially when you are weeding through the banter of my brain….
… come to the next event… I’ll be the one blowing on dice at the craps table!
ableism |ˈābəˌlizəm| (also ablism)
noun
discrimination in favour of able-bodied people.
I found out today, that yesterday was Blogging Against Ableism Day. I missed it… in fact, today was the first time I’d heard of it. I looked into it and found that most people blogging are using Ableism and Disableism (Ablism & Disablism) interchangeably. In reality though, they are polar opposites, because if ableism is “discrimination in favour of able-bodied people… wouldn’t disablism be discrimination in favour of persons with disability? Yes, it would be… and indeed there is no such word as disablism….. Why, you ask? Well maybe because there isn’t any discrimination in favour of people with disablity, at least that’s my guess. And that is why we need to help raise awareness of ableism.
How can we look at someone else with empathy? Who do you feel unconditional nonjudgemental love for? What makes you feel that way about that person?
I have worked at answering these questions for myself. What I found out, was… that by remembering the answers to those questions whenever I’m challenged by someone being rude, or just my own impatience, it really helps me to open my heart and mind toward the person. All of a sudden I feel love for the person, and in turn, I feel good, and hopefully even make the other person feel good too.
I used to work with someone who was very well-liked and respected by not just few, but, by everyone she came in contact with. She didn’t even seem to realize how much she was loved and admired by the people that worked for/with her. One day I asked her how she managed to always stay calm and kind in the most unimaginably stressful situations. She answered by saying, “I just treat people the way I’d like to be treated”.
What does this have to do with people with disabilities?… Nothing really, I just think there would be a whole lot less of this thing called Ableism, if more people would open their hearts and just let others be themselves, without judgement.
If you’d like to read other blogs on this topic there are many listed here.
