concern
Scottie Bowman (bowman@mail.indigo.ie)
Sat, 01 Aug 1998 07:38:53 +0000
I'm grateful to Jim for illuminating my teasing of Camille.
He's absolutely on the button. There's nothing behind it
but the kindest of intentions. And after all, as he points out,
it's not just me. We are ALL aware of - & share in a common
concern for - her particular plight.
I've found the same approach helpful in the case of any gravely
handicapped person. Many's the quadriplegic I've encouraged
with a little joke about `getting off his bottom...' & indeed
the blind with the joshing request to `let in a bit more
daylight...' I feel it gives them a sense of belonging to
the general run of humanity & is much preferable to passing
over their condition in embarassed silence.
Similiarly, when it comes to Australians, I think good natured
leg pulling can be of benefit - if only in making little of their
terrible sense of remoteness & isolation.
Scottie B.