Misconceptions

[Guest guest]

Girls:

Ya know it occured to me that many women might actually come away

from this site with the idea that if they get implants they can

always get them out and get better. I wonder if the girls that do

come here for advice and then clearly decide to go for it anyhow are

under that impression? I know I have had to make it clear to allot of

girls that just because I got better does not mean they will be so

lucky, I also try to clearly point out that the expense of

explantation and often times the lift/reconstruction, chance of more

complications etc is greater than the original surgery. I really

think this is something we need to drive home in our stories

especially, about how hard it is to get well after explant. Not only

that but with our photos where most of us look so good, generally

some outcomes are not pretty, there are many women who are truly

scarred for life and even lose their breasts or breast completely.

it is a sad reality that needs to be ephaisized don't you all agree?

We don't want to freak people out or scare away people from explant,

however we want to make sure that women understand the good and the

bad.

Take care girls, and have a fabulous weekend.

-C

[Guest guest]

I know women who have died from saline implants, and it did not take them

10 years to be ill. Some had neurological problems in less than a year.

Lynda

At 03:49 PM 5/7/2004, you wrote:

>Girls:

> Ya know it occured to me that many women might actually come away

>from this site with the idea that if they get implants they can

>always get them out and get better. I wonder if the girls that do

>come here for advice and then clearly decide to go for it anyhow are

>under that impression? I know I have had to make it clear to allot of

>girls that just because I got better does not mean they will be so

>lucky, I also try to clearly point out that the expense of

>explantation and often times the lift/reconstruction, chance of more

>complications etc is greater than the original surgery. I really

>think this is something we need to drive home in our stories

>especially, about how hard it is to get well after explant. Not only

>that but with our photos where most of us look so good, generally

>some outcomes are not pretty, there are many women who are truly

>scarred for life and even lose their breasts or breast completely.

>it is a sad reality that needs to be ephaisized don't you all agree?

>We don't want to freak people out or scare away people from explant,

>however we want to make sure that women understand the good and the

>bad.

>Take care girls, and have a fabulous weekend.

>-C

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lynda:

My neurological problems started about 8-10 weeks post

implantation. Maybe I hold the record on getting ill fast, but most

likely not. In fact I think one girl I know of got ill within 30 days.

So sad.

-

, Lynda <coss@p...> wrote:

> I know women who have died from saline implants, and it did not

take them

> 10 years to be ill. Some had neurological problems in less than a

year.

>

> Lynda

>

> At 03:49 PM 5/7/2004, you wrote:

> >Girls:

> > Ya know it occured to me that many women might actually come

away

> >from this site with the idea that if they get implants they can

> >always get them out and get better. I wonder if the girls that do

> >come here for advice and then clearly decide to go for it anyhow

are

> >under that impression? I know I have had to make it clear to allot

of

> >girls that just because I got better does not mean they will be so

> >lucky, I also try to clearly point out that the expense of

> >explantation and often times the lift/reconstruction, chance of

more

> >complications etc is greater than the original surgery. I really

> >think this is something we need to drive home in our stories

> >especially, about how hard it is to get well after explant. Not

only

> >that but with our photos where most of us look so good, generally

> >some outcomes are not pretty, there are many women who are truly

> >scarred for life and even lose their breasts or breast completely.

> >it is a sad reality that needs to be ephaisized don't you all

agree?

> >We don't want to freak people out or scare away people from

explant,

> >however we want to make sure that women understand the good and the

> >bad.

> >Take care girls, and have a fabulous weekend.

> >-C

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing

participant when he went to the beach in a town that was holding a DT

event.

A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

And threatened. To toss him!

Soooo very funny. Not!

On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce <alycewil@...> wrote:

> What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have about

> dwarfism?

>

> Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less serious

> than

> his).

>

> I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that church.

> A short

> time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head of

> the

> older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right, Alyce,

> I want

> to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the

> extensions,

> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so! Virginia said you

> drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

>

> Alyce :-)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hmmm, Tony's reply surprises me. I read your misconception idea and

immediately began thinking of some.

To be honest Alyce, I reckon a book could be written about them.

When I got accepted for Teacher Training College, an auntie asked a relative

" But how will he reach the blackboard? "

Not only could I reach the blackboard, I could reach to put writing on the

very top of it (average height blackboard) and without having to climb!

Nobody lifted me up, and my feet were on the ground all the time. Work THAT

one out!

When I went into hospital for one of my spinals, a couple of the younger

members of staff were going to come and visit me at home. When two of the

older ones found out about this, they asked my visitors " What's his house

like? Is all the furniture small? " These old farts had worked with me for

YEARS!!!!!!

In England, manual cars are the norm, where automatics are for you. Wish I

had a dollar for every time someone has asked me " Do you drive? " and when I

say " Yes " , they always say, " Oh, it must be an automatic. "

Nope, a regular car. Well, it was then. I passed my advanced drivers test

and it had to be done in a manual car anyway. It was only after that and I

got older and wiser that I said " Bugger it and from then on have had

automatic cars. "

Again when I was at college, I was giving a couple of the younger ones lifts

there and back. They used to quiz me about my life. One time they asked

" How long is your sweeping brush? " When I told them normal size, their

reply was, " Well you must sweep a long way off.! "

Keep trying for levity (dunno what it means Alyce), about time we lightened

things up around here.

Bless you

Fred

Re: Misconceptions

Excuse me for throwing in a little levity!

Of course there are misconceptions about dwarfism that are not at all

funny. But there are funny moments, too, and I for one will never miss out

on a good laugh if I can help it.

Alyce

On Jan 11, 2008 11:32 AM, tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

> Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

>

> Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing participant

> when he went to the beach in a town that was holding a DT event.

> A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

> And threatened. To toss him!

>

> Soooo very funny. Not!

>

>

> On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce <alycewil@...> wrote:

>

> What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have about

> dwarfism?

>

> Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less serious than

> his).

>

> I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that church. A short

> time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head of the

> older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right, Alyce, I

> want

> to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the extensions,

> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so! Virginia said you

> drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

>

> Alyce :-)

>

>

[Guest guest]

A book about misconceptions is a great tool if it actually advances ones

knowledge of

Dwarfism. However " Funny Stories " about ignorance I do get a chuckle from.

Hey, how about the one where the school board thought the Dwarf of " Normal

intelligence "

needed to be placed in Speacial Ed? HAHAH what a riot! So funny. There's page

one for your

book...

Sreiously, I'm being sarcastic here. AND I stand by my original post that there

is nothing

" funny " about misconceptions, it just proves how far we still need to go to

advance our own

image. And I believe that starts with us being less self-depricating when it

comes to our

disability.

Re: Misconceptions

>

>

> Excuse me for throwing in a little levity!

>

> Of course there are misconceptions about dwarfism that are not at all

> funny. But there are funny moments, too, and I for one will never

> miss out

> on a good laugh if I can help it.

>

> Alyce

>

> On Jan 11, 2008 11:32 AM, tony soares <tonysoares@...>

> wrote:

> > Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

> >

> > Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing

> participant> when he went to the beach in a town that was holding a

> DT event.

> > A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

> > And threatened. To toss him!

> >

> > Soooo very funny. Not!

> >

> >

> > On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce <alycewil@...>

> wrote:>

> > What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have about

> > dwarfism?

> >

> > Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less

> serious than

> > his).

> >

> > I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that

> church. A short

> > time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head

> of the

> > older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right,

> Alyce, I

> > want

> > to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the

> extensions,> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so!

> Virginia said you

> > drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

> >

> > Alyce :-)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Is " self-depricating " anything like " self-deprecating " ?

I'd be careful if I were you - someone might assume that all dwarfs are

incapable of proper spelling.

On Jan 11, 2008 12:57 PM, <tonysoares@...> wrote:

> A book about misconceptions is a great tool if it actually advances ones

> knowledge of

> Dwarfism. However " Funny Stories " about ignorance I do get a chuckle from.

>

> Hey, how about the one where the school board thought the Dwarf of " Normal

> intelligence "

> needed to be placed in Speacial Ed? HAHAH what a riot! So funny. There's

> page one for your

> book...

>

> Sreiously, I'm being sarcastic here. AND I stand by my original post that

> there is nothing

> " funny " about misconceptions, it just proves how far we still need to go

> to advance our own

> image. And I believe that starts with us being less self-depricating when

> it comes to our

> disability.

>

>

>

>

> Re: Misconceptions

> >

> >

> > Excuse me for throwing in a little levity!

> >

> > Of course there are misconceptions about dwarfism that are not at all

> > funny. But there are funny moments, too, and I for one will never

> > miss out

> > on a good laugh if I can help it.

> >

> > Alyce

> >

> > On Jan 11, 2008 11:32 AM, tony soares

<tonysoares@...<tonysoares%40optonline.net>>

>

> > wrote:

> > > Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

> > >

> > > Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing

> > participant> when he went to the beach in a town that was holding a

> > DT event.

> > > A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

> > > And threatened. To toss him!

> > >

> > > Soooo very funny. Not!

> > >

> > >

> > > On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce

<alycewil@...<alycewil%40gmail.com>>

>

> > wrote:>

> > > What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have about

> > > dwarfism?

> > >

> > > Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less

> > serious than

> > > his).

> > >

> > > I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that

> > church. A short

> > > time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head

> > of the

> > > older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right,

> > Alyce, I

> > > want

> > > to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the

> > extensions,> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so!

> > Virginia said you

> > > drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

> > >

> > > Alyce :-)

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Tony you have me totally perplexed.

First off, there is no need to send me a private copy of your e-mails to the

list, cos I get them FROM the list.

Second, " We could make a book about them " , was a flippent remark, said to

sort of underline the fact that we ALL (well, except you apparently) have

experience of misconceptions. EVERYONE in the world at some point in their

lives will experience a misconception about themselves!

O.K., we small statured folks get lots of them, but your God also gave us a

sense of humour and the ability to shrug off the product of ignorance.

In my experience the valuable asset OF a sense of humour and the gift of

being able to enlighten the ignorant has held me in fine sted all my life.

I like to think that anyone can ask me ANYTHING. The rational behind this

is that until they DO ask, then they will remain ignorant. People only ask

questions of which they have no, and are in need of, an answer.

Also, what Alyce was proposing, as I understand it, was a sharing of

experiences. BUT, with the added qualification that those sharings would be

'in-house'. i.e. a sharing amongst ourselves of experiences we have all

had!

Dear God, if we can't laugh AT ourselves WITH ourselves, then we might as

well sit down and wait for the end to come!

So, hey, come on old son, lighten up a bit ey, and take Alyce's gesture in

the manner it was intended.

AND, for Alyce, one more (hmm, why do most of our experiences happen in

hospital), I had gone to the bathroom off the ward. When I came back, I

noticed my fellow patients standing around, waiting for me to get back into

bed. Weird! I got in and they all waited! They waited, and waited, and

slowly looks of puzzlement came upon them all.

They had made me an " Apple Pie " bed while I was out! Didn't dawn on them

that my feet would never ever reach the fold they had put in the sheet!

Aint life wonderful when you see it from the right side?

Fred

Re: Misconceptions

A book about misconceptions is a great tool if it actually advances ones

knowledge of

Dwarfism. However " Funny Stories " about ignorance I do get a chuckle from.

Hey, how about the one where the school board thought the Dwarf of " Normal

intelligence "

needed to be placed in Speacial Ed? HAHAH what a riot! So funny. There's

page one for your

book...

Sreiously, I'm being sarcastic here. AND I stand by my original post that

there is nothing

" funny " about misconceptions, it just proves how far we still need to go to

advance our own

image. And I believe that starts with us being less self-depricating when it

comes to our

disability.

=

[Guest guest]

OOOOOOOOOOh Alyce:-) Was that you trying to cut Tony short????? Shame on

you:-))))))

Er, er, what IS the difference?

Fred, probably the worst speller in the teaching profession.

Re: Misconceptions

> >

> >

> > Excuse me for throwing in a little levity!

> >

> > Of course there are misconceptions about dwarfism that are not at all

> > funny. But there are funny moments, too, and I for one will never

> > miss out

> > on a good laugh if I can help it.

> >

> > Alyce

> >

> > On Jan 11, 2008 11:32 AM, tony soares

<tonysoares@...<tonysoares%40optonline.net>>

>

> > wrote:

> > > Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

> > >

> > > Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing

> > participant> when he went to the beach in a town that was holding a

> > DT event.

> > > A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

> > > And threatened. To toss him!

> > >

> > > Soooo very funny. Not!

> > >

> > >

> > > On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce

<alycewil@...<alycewil%40gmail.com>>

>

> > wrote:>

> > > What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have about

> > > dwarfism?

> > >

> > > Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less

> > serious than

> > > his).

> > >

> > > I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that

> > church. A short

> > > time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head

> > of the

> > > older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right,

> > Alyce, I

> > > want

> > > to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the

> > extensions,> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so!

> > Virginia said you

> > > drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

> > >

> > > Alyce :-)

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I was typing. From my iPhone

Sorry. You see not all of us can sit at our desks and post all day

You might be able to spell/type better than I and for that I thank you.

On Jan 11, 2008, at 3:03 PM, Alyce <alycewil@...> wrote:

> Is " self-depricating " anything like " self-deprecating " ?

>

> I'd be careful if I were you - someone might assume that all dwarfs

> are

> incapable of proper spelling.

>

> On Jan 11, 2008 12:57 PM, <tonysoares@...> wrote:

>

> > A book about misconceptions is a great tool if it actually

> advances ones

> > knowledge of

> > Dwarfism. However " Funny Stories " about ignorance I do get a

> chuckle from.

> >

> > Hey, how about the one where the school board thought the Dwarf of

> " Normal

> > intelligence "

> > needed to be placed in Speacial Ed? HAHAH what a riot! So funny.

> There's

> > page one for your

> > book...

> >

> > Sreiously, I'm being sarcastic here. AND I stand by my original

> post that

> > there is nothing

> > " funny " about misconceptions, it just proves how far we still need

> to go

> > to advance our own

> > image. And I believe that starts with us being less self-

> depricating when

> > it comes to our

> > disability.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Re: Misconceptions

> > >

> > >

> > > Excuse me for throwing in a little levity!

> > >

> > > Of course there are misconceptions about dwarfism that are not

> at all

> > > funny. But there are funny moments, too, and I for one will never

> > > miss out

> > > on a good laugh if I can help it.

> > >

> > > Alyce

> > >

> > > On Jan 11, 2008 11:32 AM, tony soares

> <tonysoares@...<tonysoares%40optonline.net>>

> >

> > > wrote:

> > > > Can there possibly be misconceptions about us that are funny?

> > > >

> > > > Like oh I know a Dwarf that was confused for a Dwarf Tossing

> > > participant> when he went to the beach in a town that was

> holding a

> > > DT event.

> > > > A bunch of drunken Frat boys picked him up

> > > > And threatened. To toss him!

> > > >

> > > > Soooo very funny. Not!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > On Jan 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Alyce

> <alycewil@...<alycewil%40gmail.com>>

> >

> > > wrote:>

> > > > What are your funny stories about misconceptions people have

> about

> > > > dwarfism?

> > > >

> > > > Bruce reminded me of one of my favorites (fortunately less

> > > serious than

> > > > his).

> > > >

> > > > I started attending a church and the ladies' group at that

> > > church. A short

> > > > time later, one of the older ladies, who was the unofficial head

> > > of the

> > > > older ladies, followed me out to my car and said, " All right,

> > > Alyce, I

> > > > want

> > > > to see how you drive. " I opened the car door, showed her the

> > > extensions,> and she said with great satisfaction, " I thought so!

> > > Virginia said you

> > > > drove standing up, but I knew that wasn't true! "

> > > >

> > > > Alyce :-)

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

(Anyone remember that ad for " bitter beer face? " Was Tony the star? ;-p )

Here's a funny one (Tony can quit reading now):

I was stage managing a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of

Penzance (sp?), at our local university one summer, and our

director/choreographer was a guest dance professor from NYC. He was

also a very out-of-the closet, flamboyant, gay middle-aged man. His

name was Luke and we became good friends.

After each rehearsal, Luke and I would go to a local pub to discuss

the day's work. At the time (during the height of the Clinton years)

I was far more conservative than I am now, and tended to vote

republican. Luke was a staunch democrat. After a few beers, the

conversation would usually drift from the play to politics or

religion, which are bad topics for a drunk republican and democrat to

discuss. Luke had another quirk about him. In order to " fit in " with

the cast, he would dress like a Pirate. He even had the head costumer

make him his own pirate captain's outfit. Luke used to wear his

pirate outfit to the pub.

One evening, we were having a particularly heated discussion about

politics, and a mother dragging a young boy in tow walked by our

table. The boy stopped, mouth agape, seeing a pirate and a dwarf

arguing about the merits of Bill Clinton. He suddenly pointed at me

and shouted, " What's wrong with him! "

Luke stood up, pointed his fake hook at me, and shouted, " He's a REPUBLICAN! "

To this day, I wonder if there is some traumatized young man wandering

about, thinking that all republicans are angry, drunk dwarfs, and all

democrats are flamboyant, gay pirates.

Bill

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry, that was funny!

Coming from a bi-racial female who is anything but liberal....

Tonya

Bill Bradford <tslug1@...> wrote:

(Anyone remember that ad for " bitter beer face? " Was Tony the star?

;-p )

Here's a funny one (Tony can quit reading now):

I was stage managing a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of

Penzance (sp?), at our local university one summer, and our

director/choreographer was a guest dance professor from NYC. He was

also a very out-of-the closet, flamboyant, gay middle-aged man. His

name was Luke and we became good friends.

After each rehearsal, Luke and I would go to a local pub to discuss

the day's work. At the time (during the height of the Clinton years)

I was far more conservative than I am now, and tended to vote

republican. Luke was a staunch democrat. After a few beers, the

conversation would usually drift from the play to politics or

religion, which are bad topics for a drunk republican and democrat to

discuss. Luke had another quirk about him. In order to " fit in " with

the cast, he would dress like a Pirate. He even had the head costumer

make him his own pirate captain's outfit. Luke used to wear his

pirate outfit to the pub.

One evening, we were having a particularly heated discussion about

politics, and a mother dragging a young boy in tow walked by our

table. The boy stopped, mouth agape, seeing a pirate and a dwarf

arguing about the merits of Bill Clinton. He suddenly pointed at me

and shouted, " What's wrong with him! "

Luke stood up, pointed his fake hook at me, and shouted, " He's a REPUBLICAN! "

To this day, I wonder if there is some traumatized young man wandering

about, thinking that all republicans are angry, drunk dwarfs, and all

democrats are flamboyant, gay pirates.

Bill

A friend once told me to pray for Natural Opportunity. Natural Opportunity is

always present. God never makes a mistake, if you ever doubt in him, just look

around. You are surrounded by miracles!

Please visit our blog at http://blogsmonroe.com/disability

Tonya Sweat

---------------------------------

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Luke was right! Glad you saw the light. ;-)

Dan

On Jan 11, 2008 8:18 PM, Bill Bradford <tslug1@...> wrote:

> ... One evening, we were having a particularly heated discussion about

> politics, and a mother dragging a young boy in tow walked by our

> table. The boy stopped, mouth agape, seeing a pirate and a dwarf

> arguing about the merits of Bill Clinton. He suddenly pointed at me

> and shouted, " What's wrong with him! "

>

> Luke stood up, pointed his fake hook at me, and shouted, " He's a

> REPUBLICAN! "

>

> Bill

>

[Guest guest]

No I was not. How does having an opinion such as mine suddenly give

you the right to call me bitter?

If a Black man was upset with Rock's Jokes, would you call him

" bitter " or say Oh... I can understand his point, he's suffered 250

years+ of torment and discrimination?

Okay, I'm just a Bitter angry Dwarf. I guess I fit the stereotype.

Tony

PS- Ran Spell Check

Therefore you should be proud!

On Jan 11, 2008, at 8:37 PM, Tonya Sweat wrote:

> (Anyone remember that ad for " bitter beer face? " Was Tony the

> star? ;-p )

[Guest guest]

Hey Tony,

I was the one who called you bitter...

(Anyone remember Emile Latella from SNL news: " Never mind... " )

As my grandpa used to say, " If you find yerself in a hole, quit digging! "

Bill

On Jan 11, 2008 7:09 PM, tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

>

>

> No I was not. How does having an opinion such as mine suddenly give

> you the right to call me bitter?

>

> If a Black man was upset with Rock's Jokes, would you call him

> " bitter " or say Oh... I can understand his point, he's suffered 250

> years+ of torment and discrimination?

>

> Okay, I'm just a Bitter angry Dwarf. I guess I fit the stereotype.

>

> Tony

>

> PS- Ran Spell Check

>

> Therefore you should be proud!

[Guest guest]

I'm not in a hole, but when I am I shoot my way out!

What's with you anyway? You see The Roloff or Soares name and you

pounce!

On Jan 11, 2008, at 10:34 PM, Bill Bradford wrote:

> Hey Tony,

> I was the one who called you bitter...

>

> (Anyone remember Emile Latella from SNL news: " Never mind... " )

>

> As my grandpa used to say, " If you find yerself in a hole, quit

> digging! "

>

> Bill

[Guest guest]

I guess I should have elaborated what I found funny...

Bill Bradford wrote:

" To this day, I wonder if there is some traumatized young man

wandering

> about, thinking that all republicans are angry, drunk dwarfs, and

all

> democrats are flamboyant, gay pirates. "

Did my post get screwed up or did I just walk into a unknown heat

argument?

> (Anyone remember that ad for " bitter beer face? " Was Tony

the star? ;-p )

>

> Here's a funny one (Tony can quit reading now):

>

> I was stage managing a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of

> Penzance (sp?), at our local university one summer, and our

> director/choreographer was a guest dance professor from NYC. He was

> also a very out-of-the closet, flamboyant, gay middle-aged man. His

> name was Luke and we became good friends.

>

> After each rehearsal, Luke and I would go to a local pub to discuss

> the day's work. At the time (during the height of the Clinton years)

> I was far more conservative than I am now, and tended to vote

> republican. Luke was a staunch democrat. After a few beers, the

> conversation would usually drift from the play to politics or

> religion, which are bad topics for a drunk republican and democrat

to

> discuss. Luke had another quirk about him. In order to " fit in " with

> the cast, he would dress like a Pirate. He even had the head

costumer

> make him his own pirate captain's outfit. Luke used to wear his

> pirate outfit to the pub.

>

> One evening, we were having a particularly heated discussion about

> politics, and a mother dragging a young boy in tow walked by our

> table. The boy stopped, mouth agape, seeing a pirate and a dwarf

> arguing about the merits of Bill Clinton. He suddenly pointed at me

> and shouted, " What's wrong with him! "

>

> Luke stood up, pointed his fake hook at me, and shouted, " He's a

REPUBLICAN! "

>

> To this day, I wonder if there is some traumatized young man

wandering

> about, thinking that all republicans are angry, drunk dwarfs, and

all

> democrats are flamboyant, gay pirates.

>

> Bill

>

>

>

>

>

>

> A friend once told me to pray for Natural Opportunity. Natural

Opportunity is always present. God never makes a mistake, if you ever

doubt in him, just look around. You are surrounded by miracles!

>

> Please visit our blog at http://blogsmonroe.com/disability

>

> Tonya Sweat

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just make sure when you're shooting your way out, you don't shoot

yourself in the foot. ;-p

Why do I pounce? Why do people shoot fish in a barrel? (speaking of shooting)

RE: Rock. No one accuses him of being bitter because he has a

sense of humor. He regular makes people laugh about the

misconceptions African Americans face. Have you ever watched his show

" Everyone Hates Chris? "

Come on, Tony, lighten up a little. If you can't laugh at yourself,

people will do it for you.

Bill

On Jan 11, 2008 7:37 PM, tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

> I'm not in a hole, but when I am I shoot my way out!

>

> What's with you anyway? You see The Roloff or Soares name and you pounce!

>

>

>

>

>

> On Jan 11, 2008, at 10:34 PM, Bill Bradford wrote:

>

> Hey Tony,

> I was the one who called you bitter...

>

> (Anyone remember Emile Latella from SNL news: " Never mind... " )

>

> As my grandpa used to say, " If you find yerself in a hole, quit digging! "

>

> Bill

>

>

--

" Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an

indomitable will. "

- Gandhi

" A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength "

- Proverbs 24:5

[Guest guest]

Tony,

I think my post was cut off or something since I wasn't even referring to

you. I corrected my post to elaborate what I found funny.

Actually, yes, I would think this hypothetical black man would be bitter,

since the " suffering " didn't happen to him but his ancestor's. Besides, I don't

find Rock funny. I wonder if people have ever heard of the phrase " let it

go " .

I would apologize but since I didn't offend anyone, I can't.

Tonya

tony soares <tonysoares@...> wrote:

[Guest guest]

That, right there, is some funny stuff.

-- Some random father of an LP

Re: Misconceptions

(Anyone remember that ad for " bitter beer face? " Was Tony the star? ;-p )

Here's a funny one (Tony can quit reading now):

I was stage managing a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of

Penzance (sp?), at our local university one summer, and our

director/choreographer was a guest dance professor from NYC. He was

also a very out-of-the closet, flamboyant, gay middle-aged man. His

name was Luke and we became good friends.

After each rehearsal, Luke and I would go to a local pub to discuss

the day's work. At the time (during the height of the Clinton years)

I was far more conservative than I am now, and tended to vote

republican. Luke was a staunch democrat. After a few beers, the

conversation would usually drift from the play to politics or

religion, which are bad topics for a drunk republican and democrat to

discuss. Luke had another quirk about him. In order to " fit in " with

the cast, he would dress like a Pirate. He even had the head costumer

make him his own pirate captain's outfit. Luke used to wear his

pirate outfit to the pub.

One evening, we were having a particularly heated discussion about

politics, and a mother dragging a young boy in tow walked by our

table. The boy stopped, mouth agape, seeing a pirate and a dwarf

arguing about the merits of Bill Clinton. He suddenly pointed at me

and shouted, " What's wrong with him! "

Luke stood up, pointed his fake hook at me, and shouted, " He's a REPUBLICAN! "

To this day, I wonder if there is some traumatized young man wandering

about, thinking that all republicans are angry, drunk dwarfs, and all

democrats are flamboyant, gay pirates.

Bill

[Guest guest]

My feelings are going to be hurt if I don't receive an apology....something

along the lines of

" Hey Tonya, sorry we filled your email box with replies and CC's when you were

just an innocent passerby who was just eavesdropping on the conversation and

made a statement of that's funny and the statement being attributed to you

wasn't even yours....here's your juggler back " ...

I'll accept something along that line.

Thanks!

Tonya

[Guest guest]

--- Bill wrote:

> (Anyone remember Emile Latella from SNL news: " Never mind... " )

Bill --

I'm taking offense to this question. By asking those of us who

remember Litella, a character on SNL in the mid 70's, you are

singling out those of us in a ceratin age bracket or above. Are you

saying we are OLD?

Rose

(whose tongue is firmly in her cheek)

[Guest guest]

Against my better judgment, I'm going to try once more.

I value humor greatly. People who don't know my family sometimes assume I

joke around to detract attention from my poor, pitiful, dwarf self, but

that's because they're ignorant. I find humor wherever I can, whether it

involves " dwarf humor " or not. One of the benefits of humor is that it can

be educational. If I can hold onto my sense of humor, I may make a point

that would otherwise have been lost in an angry huff.

To return to the story I first shared: The church I attended had a gaggle

of older ladies who hung out together. One of them, Virginia, met me and

for some reason assumed I drove standing up. She didn't say this to me; she

said it to the other ladies, including . was a very sharp-witted,

irrepresible woman (and my dear friend)who was not into dilly-dallying

around what some might think was a delicate issue. She realized that it was

pretty unlikely that I drove standing up, so she went right to the source

and got the truth, which she then passed on to the others. What would have

been accomplished if I had gotten all huffy and insulted at being asked such

a ridiculous question? They might have learned the truth, but it would

probably have been the last question they asked me, and any other

misconceptions they held would have gone unanswered. None of these ladies

had ever met an LP before, so it was a great opportunity to educate, which I

firmly believe benefits ALL LPs, even those lacking in a sense of humor.

Because I was approachable, I was also asked to evaluate the building for

accessibility needs, which again benefits any other LP going there, as well

as others with mobility issues (including the ladies). One thing I pointed

out was that although there was a ramp leading to the nave (which then led

to the sanctuary), there were steps at the other end of the navy, which led

to the rest of the church. It was situated in such a way that it was a very

simple matter to put a ramp there also, but it had never occurred to anyone

to do so before I pointed it out.

Did I change the world? No, of course not. But I changed a little piece of

it, and I did it without being belligerent or over-sensitive.

I feel strongly that a lot of the difficulties we face are due to ignorance

rather than malice (not all, but a lot). The " m " word is a good example.

People use it in ignorance; most of them immediately stop it when they

realize that many of us have experienced it in a hurtful manner.

We all have our ignorant places. I just started a new job and I have to ask

a lot of questions about things that are quite obvious to the others in my

office. It makes me feel a little stupid at times, but I would be even more

stupid to not ask. The first step of wisdom is to realize one doesn't know

everything! It would also be non-productive for the others to get insulted

and not ask my (from their point of view) simple questions. Fortunately,

I'm willing to admit that I don't know everything, and they're willing to

graciously educate the newcomer without making her feel stupid.

Tony, I apologize for pointing out your misspelling. It was juvenile of me,

but when you nitpick people, it's reasonable to expect to be nitpicked in

return. But I apologize. Not everyone was in Mrs. 's fifth grade

class, so not everyone is a spelling fanatic. And spelling is, after all, a

dying art in our times.

I have had times in my life when people were incredibly rude and hurtful

toward me, and those times were in no way funny. But there have also been

times when the simple ignorance of human beings is very funny. I hope I

never lose the ability to laugh at such times.

I'm sorry this became a book, but I hope I have made some thought-provoking

points.

Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Alyce :-)

[Guest guest]

You start out with quite a humble story and all your good deeds are

very laudable.

I explained my typo, and it is true that I was not in " Mrs. 's

5th Grade... " Which is a rather snide remark coming from someone that

is offering an apology.

I attended a good public school system and my poor spelling or

texting an (i) instead of an (e) was not the side effects of a bad

education.

As for a sense of humor, I am often quite funny, but also caustic. I

find many things funny even Dwarf topics, however yours just rubbed me

the wrong way, and I responded with a post that you found 1 typo in.

Anyone that knows me would say hey that's a record for him!

I'm glad you educated your church friends, it is a shame that so many

people have to be educated about us, especially people at church...

Apology accepted.

I also extend my own to you.

On Jan 12, 2008, at 7:30 PM, Alyce wrote:

> Tony, I apologize for pointing out your misspelling. It was juvenile

> of me,

> but when you nitpick people, it's reasonable to expect to be

> nitpicked in

> return. But I apologize. Not everyone was in Mrs. 's fifth grade

> class, so not everyone is a spelling fanatic. And spelling is, after

> all, a

> dying art in our times.

[Guest guest]

>>>....but also caustic

Must be the democrat in you Tony!

Karolyn

Your fellow kaustic democrat/LDS

Re: Re: Misconceptions

You start out with quite a humble story and all your good deeds are

very laudable.

I explained my typo, and it is true that I was not in " Mrs. 's

5th Grade... " Which is a rather snide remark coming from someone that

is offering an apology.

I attended a good public school system and my poor spelling or

texting an (i) instead of an (e) was not the side effects of a bad

education.

As for a sense of humor, I am often quite funny, but also caustic. I

find many things funny even Dwarf topics, however yours just rubbed me

the wrong way, and I responded with a post that you found 1 typo in.

Anyone that knows me would say hey that's a record for him!

I'm glad you educated your church friends, it is a shame that so many

people have to be educated about us, especially people at church...

Apology accepted.

I also extend my own to you.

On Jan 12, 2008, at 7:30 PM, Alyce wrote:

> Tony, I apologize for pointing out your misspelling. It was juvenile

> of me,

> but when you nitpick people, it's reasonable to expect to be

> nitpicked in

> return. But I apologize. Not everyone was in Mrs. 's fifth grade

> class, so not everyone is a spelling fanatic. And spelling is, after

> all, a

> dying art in our times.