Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:35:18 -0400
From: stinmar1
Subject: Norman Clark and disabled folks
I read Joes post on Norman Clark and the fact he’s disabled . Being disabled can go from one extreme to the other .
It can be mentally disabled or physically disabled or a combination of both . I am disabled from 5 totaled cars and 4 lightning strikes . When I went for my interview the judge asked me what I was going to do now I was disabled . I answered honestly , if the suns out and I feel like mowing grass on my tractor I will because the sun feels good on my hurting back . If I can help a friend with advice or tinkering on a carburetor on a good day I will . Being disabled doesn’t mean your bed ridden . The more I am inactive the worse my condition becomes .
I currently have a bulged disc that’s pinching the radial nerves for my right arm . Its been very painful and I have lost a good part of the use of my right arm . There are days I stay in bed or in this chair with my feet propped up with no energy in considerable pain but my mind still works fine . I couldn’t work any kind of regular hours , I cant tell you when I will feel good or not . I cant control my pain levels to a point where I could even work part time on any schedule . With that said I still find a way to help others . I organize the Christmas Angels and I look after my brittle diabetic mom , 4 kids , two in college and myself . I have a dying heat pump , my shop needs a new roof , the kids need me just to be daddy so whether I am physically able or not I have to find a way to survive .
There is no ( I give up ) in life and sometimes the ones among us who physically can do the least can accomplish the most if they set their mind to it . I don’t know Norman Clark but I respect a man who is disabled who will attempt to rise above his disabilities to provide a service to his community . I don’t know Joe either and he’s probably a fine fellow but it seams to me by his post he’s using Normans disabled condition as a way to cost Norman votes . Being a County Commissioner requires a good mind , the ability to work with others and a good ability to respond and relate to the citizens of this county they serve . Its not a nine to five day job five days a week so it leaves a lot of wiggle room and flexibility for someone to function with a disability .
If I were Joe I would focus on Normans platform and what he wants to do for this county . I don’t care if my county commissioners are disabled , cant walk , cant play baseball , cant run a mile run as long as they do a good job . In many ways even normal people have limitations but don’t realize it until they try something and fail . Disabled folks have had to learn their limitations and know what they can and cant do so they wont attempt something they know they cant do . I feel Norman wouldn’t be running for office if he hadn’t looked into it and felt he could do the service before he threw his hat in the ring to run . To say someone cant do a thing because of color , sex or physical limitations is discrimination plain and simple and its wrong period .
Goodnite Mark