GeriTraK supports the AltAble concept.
Background
What is AltAble?
Who is AltAble?
AltAble is a new inclusive name for what has always been. Humans are AltAble. AltAbility is the verb, the active implementation of AltAbility.
We are all AltAble.
Is AltAble a positive or negative concept?
Neither. Being AltAble is descriptive of the change concept. Whether we look back or forward in relation to what we are as humans, there is change. Change affects all of us for our dreams, nightmares. In our interactions with ourselves and with others. The way we think. Our physical abilities. Our health. Everything is AltAble.
For GeriTraK, we like to promote health understanding. Health understanding assistance is our thing.
As part of our thing, we believe words, names, descriptions, labels, classes and many other categories are very powerful influences. These powerful influences can have unintended effects to divide, subjugate, and lessen groups just as they can heighten other groups. The descriptors can raise and lower at the same time.
Dis
Not so much Dis and Dat, but the prefix Dis is often a powerful expectation lowerer. Have a think about the words beginning with Dis and what may occur if any dis descriptors are accepted as part of your own labeling or others labeling of you.
For example
Disincentive
Disinterest
Disgust
Distrust
Distemper
Disempowerment
Disable
The last two are where GeriTraK will concentrate initially. Disempowerment and Disable go together too often.
We believe in the newer term AltAble.
Disability, as a term, is inherently divisive for everyone. AltAbility is inherently inclusive.
Alt – Alternative.
This can mean many things. Overall, it means change is inevitable. No matter who we are, we will change. Some change is out of our control, but if we choose change we have some control. After uncontrolled change occurs, in most circumstances we still retain a capacity to exert influence over our new circumstances.
Able – Having a mind set accepting we have an alternative, makes us more Able
Put the two together and we arrive at AltAble.
GeriTraK has health professional founders with broad hands on long term experience interacting and treating people with serious physical and mental life challenges. As individuals, we have had our own challenging life experiences. We understand the need to communicate and that words are important and helpful.The world is full of such words to help describe and categorise people into such groups to assist in understanding, funding, targeted programs, and for lobbying to gain acceptance.
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of many to make the categorisation positive, negative connotations seep in and mentally constrictive barriers form.
GeriTraK aims to eliminate the constrictive barriers by having everyone include themselves as AltAble.
How can you be part of this change for yourself and the world?
The following steps are the baby progressions before you walk the talk, then begin to run with the idea.
- Understand the idea of choice.
- Deliberately choose
- Invest in your choice
- Own it
From now on, you are AltAble.
We are born AltAble.
Acceptance of inappropriate labels can undermine AltAbility.
The first change is that of correct labeling.
No longer DisAbled.
“Do or do not, there Is no try.” Yoda
Step. Walk. Run. Is a mindset, not a physical instruction.
Imagination, ambition, talent, can all run wild without physical components
GeriTraK – Good To Know