Retarded man can't ride moped again - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

JStrider · 02-09-2006, 06:47 PM

he should try to take the test... if he cant pass it then he should buy a bicycle

Marvelous Marv · 02-11-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by World's King

Okay... here's the deal.

About 20 years ago it was okay to call someone mentally retarded. Somewhere, someone decided that term was hurtful. Told everyone it was hurtful. Now everything thinks it's hurtful. And we can't say it anymore.

Explain to me why it's hurtful. What is it about that word that's so bad?

I assume I'm the only one who's presently channelling Pat in "There's Something About Mary."

Pat ... "My real passion is my hobby"
Mary ... "Oh really, what's that?"
Pat ... "I work with retards."

I wonder who wants to assume the liability for this guy in the event of his causing an accident. Is it possible for him to have insurance without a license?

I say get him a bicycle. There's a reason a driver's license is required, not that there aren't plenty of idiot drivers out there who have one.

The_Jazz · 02-11-2006, 01:59 PM

[QUOTE=Marvelous Marv]I wonder who wants to assume the liability for this guy in the event of his causing an accident. Is it possible for him to have insurance without a license?QUOTE]

No it's not. If he's going to drive a road-licensed vehicle, then he has to have a drivers license. If he wants auto insurance, he has to be licensed to drive. No sane insurance company is going to give auto coverage to an unlicensed driver, regardless of the premium they could collect. It may even be illegal for the carrier to do it in Alabama, although I'm not sure (it is in several other states). Generally speaking, if your license is revoked for whatever reason and your insurance company finds out about it, they have the right to cancel your coverage. Even the insurance companies that only deal in bad/unlucky drivers aren't going to take on the risk of someone who they would be protected everytime that individual got in the car. Almost every liability insurance policy has an exclusion for illegal acts, and guess what this qualifies as.

I'm going to stop being an insurance nerd now. Let me know if you need me to come back out of my hole.

ShaniFaye · 02-12-2006, 01:29 PM

I actually emailed the guy that wrote the article with some of the ideas we were talking about....evidently they passed the email along to the sister and she emailed me back, this was her response

Quote:

HI, I'm Debra Milton and I would like to answer these questions requested of the B'ham News. Edward is now 54 and a very small 80 pound 4" 5 person. He does have a bike and tries to ride it now, but I think it is just too difficult for him. Concerning license, he did have one that was illegally obtained without our consent from someone outside our family. This caused a lot of heartache as people were using Edward to purchase alcohol and even getting him drunk as well. We never allowed him to renew them when his license expired because of this. We also have a motorized chair for his disabled father who also lives with us that Edward could ride. I had not thought of his riding the (Little Rascal chair) on the streets I intend to contact police to attain this information. My family thought that because the moped had pedals it was legal for him to ride which turned out not to be so. I appreciate your idea concerning the motorized chair and truly hope this will be beneficial. Thanks, Debra Milton

Edward could not on his own, not even with an oral test, attain a drivers license

Troublebot · 02-13-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaniFaye

I actually emailed the guy that wrote the article with some of the ideas we were talking about....evidently they passed the email along to the sister and she emailed me back, this was her response

Very cool Shani. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I was all about this guy getting his license until I read what was happening when he had one. Allow me to skip happily down the bleeding heart liberal trail and suggest that this is exactly the kind of situation the entire mental health system is set up for. I'm not suggesting that he move into a group home, but there are ways to support him and allow him to live as independently as he and his family would like. The People First group would be a great start. Alot of the folks I've met that are involved in the organization are very outgoing and personable. He wouldn't be friendless for long.

There's no reason why a local agency couldn't assist him in learning about the responsibility of riding his moped. They could make sure he's well informed of the risks involved and help him ward off the folks who've taken advantage of him in the past. Even help him find a way to pay for insurance, repairs to the moped, gas, etc. Hell, I bet they could find someone to assist him in getting his CB up to snuff so it's not taking out the neighbor's telephone. It's all about his role in the community he lives in and a big part of how supports and services are suppose to be designed now.

Slightly off topic. I've been working in the DD community for over ten years now and I always call people by their names, not their disability. If you use the word retarded as slang, I won't say anything to you, but I'll be mentally dropping your IQ by several points. I don't care if you consider it "PC" or not.

Slyboots · 02-13-2006, 12:13 PM

I don't see anything wrong if he is supervised and kept in a closed area where he wont endanger others while he is riding his ped. Everybody is in titled to some sort of fun activity

Poppinjay · 02-13-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

This caused a lot of heartache as people were using Edward to purchase alcohol and even getting him drunk as well.

Damn. If that doesn't sound like the town I grew up in, I don't know what does. I think the only difference is that we had a lady that used to drive her lawn mower to the liquor store.

I hope he can at least ride the rascal.

ShaniFaye · 02-13-2006, 12:17 PM

Pelham hasnt changed a lot since I lived there as a little girl, thats really sad

Charlatan · 02-13-2006, 12:21 PM

Thanks Shani... I don't think I've ever seen this sort of thing happen before (were one of our discussions actually reach out and effect the source). Neat.

ShaniFaye · 02-13-2006, 01:17 PM

I replied to her yesterday (and asked about a golf cart too...that wasnt mentioned in my initial email) and this was her response

Quote:

Thank you for your prayers because it is god that has always sustained us these many years. Tomorrow at three an organization will be visiting Edward here at home. My hopes are high that we will find some answers for him. As far as a golf cart or the motorized chair, both are deemed illegal according to our ordinances. Anything motorized and on the streets must have a tag and a license driver. Lets try to remember the law has many good reasons even if it sometimes pains us. As far as I know this has been gods will and if it was something good for Edward and others like him will follow. Thank you for your kind concern for my family, I send my prayers for your family as well
Deborah Milton

I've emailed her back to ask her to keep me posted on the organization that was visiting today.

Charlatan · 02-13-2006, 01:23 PM

Aren't motorized chairs allowed on the sidewalk? Aren't they just a glamourized motorized wheelchair?

ShaniFaye · 02-13-2006, 01:30 PM

it may be that there are no sidewalks there, its been a LONG time since I lived there, but there were none when I was little. Most times I only see them HERE is in a new subdivision.

xepherys · 02-13-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpea

You obviously have never been next to a 'developmentally disabled' individual when someone calls them mentally retarded... it's a slap in the face to them and these individuals find it hurtful, that's all i was saying...

i don't go out of my way to hurt ppl, so if using a broad term makes my clients more comfortable... then i'm gonna use it.

sweetpea

First of all, many people are offended by using the word "disabled" to describe ANYONE. Also, kids will catch onto this trend, and soon enough 6th graders will be calling other kids "D-D's" and that term will become offensive. Then, the PC crowd will have to find a new and improved PC way to say it... perhaps "Pre-emptively happy folk". It's a viscious cycle. It only has a negative connotation becuase people LET it. If you mean something in a negative way, almost any word or term can hurt someone's feelings... if that person lets it. Perhaps a good thing to do while working with "retards" "developmentally disbaled" "special needs" or whatever people is to teach them that there is no wrong in being who they are, regardless of what somebody calls them. If they're high functioning enough to be offended, they are high functioning enough to learn to not be. As far as I'm concerned, the therapists and social workers these days that fall into this PC crowd are just enablers.

In short, your clients (note that even in mental facitilities the term "client" is used more often than "patient" now... just to make them feel better) can learn to not be so sensitive to people who DO try to hurt them. If I wanted to upset a "client" of yours, I could certainly do it without calling them retarded.

msh58 · 02-13-2006, 04:03 PM

its too bad he can't read (i'm guessing) , internet would be perfect for him i would think. Talking to people all over the world.

would think walking or a bike or skateboard would be his next option with the moped gone. Guy seems loved by a lot of people.

canadiankamikaz · 02-13-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msh58

its too bad he can't read (i'm guessing) , internet would be perfect for him i would think. Talking to people all over the world.

would think walking or a bike or skateboard would be his next option with the moped gone. Guy seems loved by a lot of people.

I dunno about that, studies find that the more people use the internet even to chat with people, the more lonely they are.

I gotta admit it's not the same as meeting in person. I say give him back the moped with a limiter on it (depending on how fast it goes initially)

canadiankamikaz · 02-13-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelous Marv

I assume I'm the only one who's presently channelling Pat in "There's Something About Mary."

Pat ... "My real passion is my hobby"
Mary ... "Oh really, what's that?"
Pat ... "I work with retards."

I wonder who wants to assume the liability for this guy in the event of his causing an accident. Is it possible for him to have insurance without a license?

I say get him a bicycle. There's a reason a driver's license is required, not that there aren't plenty of idiot drivers out there who have one.

Meh I still don't think that's that bad, like saying I work with blind people, instead of "visually impaired"

ShaniFaye · 03-27-2006, 02:19 PM

I thought I would share and email I got from Edwards sister today, in case anyone is interested

Just writing to tell you the recent news concerning Edward. He's doing well and has started bowling on thursdays. Happy with what has transpired and adjusting fairly well. Thank you for keeping Edward in your prayers. Debra Milton

Menoman · 03-27-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief

Maybe the "developmentally challenged" will start using the word "retard" like some black people use "nigger" or "nigga". It'll a word that gets reclaimed and used proudly.

Someone should start a trend...

word up to my tards!

tard please!

he be my tard!

rofl, boy this could really be a good trend.

Fire · 03-27-2006, 10:06 PM

Overall, I hope that he gets some help cause of the story- as to the cb- we have that problem here, with a wheelchair bound guy down the street, and it is damn annoying when his cb breaks into our phone line- I dont begrudge him his cb, but get it to code- as to the rest of it, Pc terms annoy the hell out of me, because they change all the damn time, - do we fix the problem, hell no, lets just change the words again, so that for the next six months we can show we cared enough to learn the new "propper term " for someones condition- would'nt that energy be better spent slapping the shit out of people who tease retarded people = oh wait, that would actually be doing something instead of just sitting on our asses talking about it- and speaking of which- kudos to shani for actually reaching out to someone and becoming involved- maybe we could do that more often here, kind of like taking tfp to the next level......

oberon · 03-28-2006, 12:21 AM

As someone who is "mentally disabled", I learned long ago to ignore people when they are using terms like "deaf" to refer to me in a hurtful way. I think it'd be a lot easier to teach this technique to others who face this sort of behavior, than to somehow change the way mean people behave, in a direct manner. Like they say... ignore the monster and he disappears. But, possibly easier said than done.

As for this guy.. well.. I don't think there is really enough information to judge a good solution to his problem, but I agree his sister should be proactive towards finding one. It really depends on what his needs are and what kind of resources are available, etc. Public transit might be a good option, for instance.

02-09-2006, 06:47 PM	#41 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	he should try to take the test... if he cant pass it then he should buy a bicycle __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

02-13-2006, 12:13 PM	#46 (permalink)
Slyboots Tilted Location: Newbury Park, California	I don't see anything wrong if he is supervised and kept in a closed area where he wont endanger others while he is riding his ped. Everybody is in titled to some sort of fun activity __________________ "Ah, yes, divorce......., from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet." -- Robin Williams

02-13-2006, 12:17 PM	#48 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	Pelham hasnt changed a lot since I lived there as a little girl, thats really sad __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

02-13-2006, 12:21 PM	#49 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Thanks Shani... I don't think I've ever seen this sort of thing happen before (were one of our discussions actually reach out and effect the source). Neat. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

02-13-2006, 01:23 PM	#51 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Aren't motorized chairs allowed on the sidewalk? Aren't they just a glamourized motorized wheelchair? __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

02-11-2006, 01:59 PM	#43 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	[QUOTE=Marvelous Marv]I wonder who wants to assume the liability for this guy in the event of his causing an accident. Is it possible for him to have insurance without a license?QUOTE] No it's not. If he's going to drive a road-licensed vehicle, then he has to have a drivers license. If he wants auto insurance, he has to be licensed to drive. No sane insurance company is going to give auto coverage to an unlicensed driver, regardless of the premium they could collect. It may even be illegal for the carrier to do it in Alabama, although I'm not sure (it is in several other states). Generally speaking, if your license is revoked for whatever reason and your insurance company finds out about it, they have the right to cancel your coverage. Even the insurance companies that only deal in bad/unlucky drivers aren't going to take on the risk of someone who they would be protected everytime that individual got in the car. Almost every liability insurance policy has an exclusion for illegal acts, and guess what this qualifies as. I'm going to stop being an insurance nerd now. Let me know if you need me to come back out of my hole.

02-13-2006, 01:30 PM	#52 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	it may be that there are no sidewalks there, its been a LONG time since I lived there, but there were none when I was little. Most times I only see them HERE is in a new subdivision. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

02-13-2006, 04:03 PM	#54 (permalink)
msh58 Crazy	its too bad he can't read (i'm guessing) , internet would be perfect for him i would think. Talking to people all over the world. would think walking or a bike or skateboard would be his next option with the moped gone. Guy seems loved by a lot of people.

03-27-2006, 02:19 PM	#57 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I thought I would share and email I got from Edwards sister today, in case anyone is interested Just writing to tell you the recent news concerning Edward. He's doing well and has started bowling on thursdays. Happy with what has transpired and adjusting fairly well. Thank you for keeping Edward in your prayers. Debra Milton __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-27-2006, 10:06 PM	#59 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	Overall, I hope that he gets some help cause of the story- as to the cb- we have that problem here, with a wheelchair bound guy down the street, and it is damn annoying when his cb breaks into our phone line- I dont begrudge him his cb, but get it to code- as to the rest of it, Pc terms annoy the hell out of me, because they change all the damn time, - do we fix the problem, hell no, lets just change the words again, so that for the next six months we can show we cared enough to learn the new "propper term " for someones condition- would'nt that energy be better spent slapping the shit out of people who tease retarded people = oh wait, that would actually be doing something instead of just sitting on our asses talking about it- and speaking of which- kudos to shani for actually reaching out to someone and becoming involved- maybe we could do that more often here, kind of like taking tfp to the next level...... __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

03-28-2006, 12:21 AM	#60 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	As someone who is "mentally disabled", I learned long ago to ignore people when they are using terms like "deaf" to refer to me in a hurtful way. I think it'd be a lot easier to teach this technique to others who face this sort of behavior, than to somehow change the way mean people behave, in a direct manner. Like they say... ignore the monster and he disappears. But, possibly easier said than done. As for this guy.. well.. I don't think there is really enough information to judge a good solution to his problem, but I agree his sister should be proactive towards finding one. It really depends on what his needs are and what kind of resources are available, etc. Public transit might be a good option, for instance. __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb