Isn’t there a faster, better way?

Off the Editor’s Spike by Darryl Wilkinson

Lots of people know Albany beat Gallatin in basketball for a GRC title. But Albany, the town, is also beating Gallatin in other ways that really count.

Albany was paving its streets while Gallatin mulled over a similar street improvement program which eventually was defeated at the election polls. Now Albany is strengthening its infrastructure by initiating a municipal Internet service that promises better speed and reliability. The investment involves a tower and service training. But Albany appears determined to keep competitive as more and more business turns to the web.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development reports that our state is the sixth-fastest state in connecting to the Internet. While the number of Missouri households owning a personal computer grew by nearly 11% between 1998 and 2000, the number of households connected to the Internet nearly doubled — jumping 19%, from above 23% in 1998 to 42%.

Albany invests in its future. I can’t help wondering, why not Gallatin? It’s good to see in the board minutes where our city administrator, Jason Helton, is asking the same question as he focuses aldermen’s attention on the possibilities.

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We were stunned to learn about the death of young Jordan Laughlin. We knew about his serious illness without knowing how rare it really was. We missed his mother, Carrie, who usually coaches sixth graders at the annual Pattonsburg Tournament. I’m old enough to remember Carrie playing in her Winston Redbird uniform, and I know Carrie enjoys helping with the girls teams.

Nobody knows the future. We simply expected the hospital stint to end with Jordan eventually coming home. So, despite Carrie’s absence, life never seemed more normal than in the Pattonsburg gymnasium Saturday.

The annual grade school basketball tournament at Pattonsburg is always a crowd pleaser regardless of who wins. You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate the unabashed enthusiasm the youngsters display as they go at it, many playing in a “real” game for the first time. We really appreciate everyone who helps put this event together.

Gallatin usually divides its sixth graders to field two girls teams and two boys teams, with an emphasis on getting everyone in the game. This year all four teams made it to the tournament finals. After an exciting game between the girls, the boys teams played to a 22-22 tie (or was it 20-20?) on a free throw with less than a second remaining. PHS Coach Jeff Bowland declared a co-championship as the fitting end of the tournament — and a whole bus load of boys all went home undefeated!

And now, in contrast, school at Gallatin dismisses early today for Jordan’s funeral. How sad, and how deeply sorry we feel for the grieving mother.

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It’s looking more and more like the proposed relocation of the county health department will become a reality. Naturally, the remodeling of the cap factory must be accomplished to the standards required by the American Disabilities Act. We’re fortunate to have the help of the folks at Access II Living Center to clarify any confusion.

A greater concern is attitude toward those with disabilities. Language is a reflection of how people see each other, and sometimes you can offend someone without realizing it.

Gary Maddox shares information that outlines how we can choose language which reflects the dignity of people with disabilities — words that put the person first, rather than the disability. Here’s a brief summary of tips that make sense.

Think people first. Say “a woman who has mental retardation” rather than “a mentally retarded woman.”

Avoid words like “unfortunate,” “afflicted,” and “victim.” Also, try to avoid casting a person with a disability as a superhuman model of courage. People with disabilities are just people, not tragic figures or demigods.

A developmental disability is not a disease. Do not mention “symptoms,” “patients,” or “treatment,” unless the person you’re describing has an illness as well as a disability.

Use common sense. Avoid terms with obvious negative or judgmental connotations, such as “crippled,” “deaf and dumb,” “lame,” and “defective.” If you aren’t sure how to refer to a person’s condition, ask. And, if the disability is not relevant to your conversation, why mention it at all?

Never refer to a person as “confined to a wheelchair.” Wheelchairs enable people to escape confinement. A person with a mobility impairment “uses” a wheelchair.

Try to describe people without disabilities as “typical” rather than “normal.”