Sharing giftsPeople 'thought to have disabilities' show their ability to create
Philip Case, State Journal Columnist
Susan Riddell Photos
The State Journal, Spectrum, June 10, 2001
Danny McNabb and Hannah Hart applaud Angela Elders after she reads her poem at a recent rehearsal.
They say it every time ... every time ... they refer to those of our fellow human beings on this planet to whom we once referred as "retarded," and then "mentally challenged," among other things even less complimentary.
"These folks are people just like us,'' said Bruce Burris, "and they're ‘people thought to have disabilities.’”
Burris and his associate, Crystal Bader, say - no, they insist - it's just plain wrong to "label'' people. After all, we all have some sort of "disability,'' and we’re supposed to be "normal."
Burris and Bader are the founders of "Latitude," a company that works with "people thought to have disabilities." While based in Lexington, the pair comes to Frankfort a day and a half each week to work with clients at Everyday Matters on Broadway, a program operated by Kelly Hawkins, Virginia Brislin and others that seeks to keep people out of institutions and in their communities.
Joe McNabb, above listens as Bruce Burris offers suggestions to poetry readers. Below, Hanna Hart reads her poem as Crystal Bader helps her with certain words.
Today at 4:30, some of the fruits of their labors will be offered to the public as their students of Latitude and Everyday Matters read original poetry at the Coffeetree Cafe, 235 Broadway.
I heard some of the poems as they practiced last week. Their work lent a great deal of weight to the notion that these folks are thought to have disabilities.
Formerly associated with Minds Wide Open in Lexington, Burris and Bader formed Latitude a few months ago.
They say it every time ... every time ... they refer to those of our fellow human beings on this planet to whom we once referred as "retarded," and then "mentally challenged," among other things even less complimentary.
"These folks are people just like us,'' said Bruce Burris, "and they're ‘people thought to have disabilities.’”
Burris and his associate, Crystal Bader, say - no, they insist - it's just plain wrong to "label'' people. After all, we all have some sort of "disability,'' and we’re supposed to be "normal."
Burris and Bader are the founders of "Latitude," a company that works with "people thought to have disabilities." While based in Lexington, the pair comes to Frankfort a day and a half each week to work with clients at Everyday Matters on Broadway, a program operated by Kelly Hawkins, Virginia Brislin and others that seeks to keep people out of institutions and in their communities.
Joe McNabb, above listens as Bruce Burris offers suggestions to poetry readers. Below, Hanna Hart reads her poem as Crystal Bader helps her with certain words.
Today at 4:30, some of the fruits of their labors will be offered to the public as their students of Latitude and Everyday Matters read original poetry at the Coffeetree Cafe, 235 Broadway.
I heard some of the poems as they practiced last week. Their work lent a great deal of weight to the notion that these folks are thought to have disabilities.
Formerly associated with Minds Wide Open in Lexington, Burris and Bader formed Latitude a few months ago.
Latitude, according to a recent article in Lexington's Ace Magazine by Mark Heidinger, exists as "... a mobile think tank aimed at collaborating with various programs in the Central Kentucky area to provide outlets for expression for individuals considered by some to have a disability.''
Gathered around tables at Everyday Matters, people thought to have disabilities do artwork, laugh and talk, write poetry, and enjoy each other's company. When I dropped in they invited me to join them at a table and view some of their work.
Gathered around tables at Everyday Matters, people thought to have disabilities do artwork, laugh and talk, write poetry, and enjoy each other's company. When I dropped in they invited me to join them at a table and view some of their work.
"We appreciate the new perspective they bring to each day,'' said Bader, almost 27, a recreational therapist with a degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
Burris, described by Ace as an "artist/activist,” is either 45 or 46. He's been around, having come to Lexington seven years ago after 20 years or so in San Francisco. His wife is the Aging Services Coordinator for Fayette County.
Burris, described by Ace as an "artist/activist,” is either 45 or 46. He's been around, having come to Lexington seven years ago after 20 years or so in San Francisco. His wife is the Aging Services Coordinator for Fayette County.
Burris veritably bubbles with excitement when he talks about Latitude and what it can offer.
"The problem." said Burris, "is that people who work with people thought to have disabilities just don't see what's there. We want to show; the world the great potential and abilities in these folks.''
"The problem." said Burris, "is that people who work with people thought to have disabilities just don't see what's there. We want to show; the world the great potential and abilities in these folks.''
It was Burris' enthusiasm that first attracted Bader to his program."I got off an elevator one day at a place where I was working and here comes this man down the hall waving his arm’s, all excited about what he was doing," she said, offering an element of calm to, the obviously compatible duo. ''I knew that was the kind of' person I wanted to work with.
“I thought ' what an enthusiastic man!’”
Bader said Latitude is all about realizing "ability, not disability.
"We see the potential in all people and want to help others recognize this."
It's unfortunate the whole world doesn’t view dealing with others who aren’t exactly like us in a similar fashion, celebrating the heterogeneous nature of this Creation instead of constantly seeking homogeneity.
"We see the potential in all people and want to help others recognize this."
It's unfortunate the whole world doesn’t view dealing with others who aren’t exactly like us in a similar fashion, celebrating the heterogeneous nature of this Creation instead of constantly seeking homogeneity.
Like any teachers, Burris and Bader tryu to bring the best out of people thought to have disabilities, especially with writing poetry.
First of all they listen.
First of all they listen.
"Then we ask questions and allow them to tell their stories,'' Burris said, "it must be their story and it takes support to get it out of them."
''Poetry,” added Bader, “is a wonderful way to tell a story without coming out and saying it (in prose). It's very positive; very realistic.”
And, of course, the arts provide a "release," no matter if that ''art” is visual or word-oriented.
"The dam just breaks,'' said Bader.
"We want to help these people thought to have disabilities take their gifts and show them to the community,” said Burris. "This is not about disabilities, it's about talented people."
''Poetry,” added Bader, “is a wonderful way to tell a story without coming out and saying it (in prose). It's very positive; very realistic.”
And, of course, the arts provide a "release," no matter if that ''art” is visual or word-oriented.
"The dam just breaks,'' said Bader.
"We want to help these people thought to have disabilities take their gifts and show them to the community,” said Burris. "This is not about disabilities, it's about talented people."
Here’s a poem that will be read today:
“You are cute and beautifulyou are very pleasant
It’s hard to figure out
Just something strange
Just one of those things
Just something I’ve never done before.
I sky
Fly high
Try to fly high in the sky
You are very pleasant
It’s just the way it is.”
People with disabilities?
I must agree with Burris and Bader:
They’re only thought to have disabilities.
