ACA annual conference

[SnM]

Apropros of nothing, but every year, the organization for which I work holds a conference (http://www.amputee-coalition.org/annual_meeting_preliminary_program07.html). This is the first time I'll be working it.

700-800 people will attend, and I guess maybe 500 or so will be amputees. I was just thinking, as a fully limbed person, I will be among the distinct minority there, which should make for an unusual experience, which is interesting, which is why I posted this.

But maybe it really isn't so interesting after all. Nevermind. Just ignore me.

[pixeljockey]

what is the sound of one hands clapping?

(forgive me)

[Raincrow]

Just don't go there and say stuff like "shake a leg, willya?" "put your best foot forward," "get a leg up on the situation" or start talking about an "arms race." I don't know if there'll be hemispherectomy patients there, but, please, dear god, just in case, don't go around saying "any idiot with half a brain ... "

[James]

I used to work for a large organization of blind persons and it was the same way. It felt odd for a while to be the single sighted person in a room full of blind people. However, that didn't last long.

[Raincrow]

It felt odd for a while to be the single sighted person in a room full of blind people. However, that didn't last long.

You were joined by other sighted people or the blind people all left the room? Where did they go? Did they debate your existence after they left?

[spinetingler]

It felt odd for a while to be the single sighted person in a room full of blind people. However, that didn't last long.
once I realized that they couldn't see me taking their purses.

[SnM]

what is the sound of one hands clapping?


Squirt, squirt, squirt.




If you're male.

[pixeljockey]

If you're male.

i am. not much of one, 'though.

what do the females sound like?

[kag]

According to an article in Mothering Magazine, autistic indviduals across the U.S. hold an annual national conference called “Autreat”:

“…at Autreat, where autistic people from across the country assemble ever year to connect, share information, and develop self-advocacy plans. For at least a few days, participants have the world structured the way they want. For instance, they display their desire for sociability with badges-red means “don’t talk to me,” yellow means “talk to me only if you know me,” and no badge means “approach me with sensitivity.” The food is advertised as bland, loud noises are prohibited, and plenty of alone time is provided.

[erin]

Sounds like a Buddhist meditation retreat excepting the color-coded badges.