An offer and a STRONG suggestion

First RantWoman wants to express deep appreciation to more than one individual who continues to share UFM materials with RantWoman. RantWoman is happy to offer to anyone willing to listen commentary about why RantWoman is NOT called to walk away from UFM and how the materials help RantWoman continue to be faithful to her Light.

Second, RantWoman strongly urges Friends NOT to lay down the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Disabilities. In fact, RantWoman is called to offer to clerk ongoing work of the Ad-hoc Committee on Disabilities. RantWoman does not have time here to list all the factors leading RantWoman to clarity about this offer. RantWoman asks that Friends accept it and go forward in hope that MUCH appreciate progress about work on disabilities issues will continue and grow in the whole community. RantWoman is happy to provide a considerable list of disability related topics important to RantWoman that keep getting erased from community conversation and to propose a revised charter for next steps. 

ONE factor behind RantWoman's leading: RantWoman is grateful for many people's offers to serve the community. However, RantWoman notes a continuing problem of people ignoring RantWoman's suggestions, trying to wear too many hats rather than strategize about how to share work, and then feeling overworked and exhausted. RantWoman is holding that problem in the Light.

RantWoman invites everyone in the community, NOT just members of pastoral care communities to participate in a short-term (3-6 month) project related to greater understanding of the Quaker concep of eldering. 

Now as to RantWoman's moment of appreciation above, RantWoman notes a concern in recent minutes about how sharing information with RantWoman is "harming" others. RantWoman notes a continuing pattern of talking ABOUT RantWoman rather than talking WITH RantWoman. 

RantWoman contrasts this with email from some time ago where RantWoman was advised "Please take good and gentle care of yourself because this is going to be painful." 

Painful for whom and why? RantWoman for instance lately has frequently been embarrassed on UFM's behalf. RantWoman reminds readers of her childhood experiences listening painfully to the efforts of many promising but definitely only progressing double reed students. 

RantWoman has more than once tried to listen to the hurts of others only to come away with a sense that she is just supposed to apologize for existing, having needs, and not performing blind person according to others' expectations. RantWoman cannot apologize for many realities in her life. RantWoman absolutely can apologize for communicating badly many times and can only promise to try to learn and do better.

Furthermore, accessibility needs to occur whether people have hurt feelings or not.

One Friend complains that that Friend thinks RantWoman feels entitled to hurt others. RantWoman has no idea without trying to hold specific hurts whether there is anything she can do to ease hurts. RantWoman also here invokes her "white cane rule." RantWoman can see enough to get around without her cane in many situations. RantWoman also uses her cane very differently than other people with less vision. If RantWoman plows into someone while NOT using her cane, RantWoman is absolutely responsible; if RantWoman plows into someone while using her cane, maybe RantWoman still needs to pay better attention, but please don't say RantWoman did not warn you.

Does RantWoman get hurt feelings like anyone else? Unquestionably. Should RantWoman handle them better much of the time? Probably.

All that said, one of the most important paths to accessibility is continuing revelation. This week RantWoman participated in the 10th or 11th Microsoft Ability Summit. These events have been key realization of the work of Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay Flurry, a very personable Deaf woman very adept at weaving people's individual stories into company success This year's event was all virtual and featured many employees with disabilities talking about disability-related topics, programs and products at Microsoft, about not "covering" or hiding their disabilities. The event was very inclusively done and positive. If a corporate giant like Microsoft can do Disability Pride, surely Friends can also keep learning!