News from Arizona

Hi folks, currently I am in the warm and sunny southeastern part of Arizona taking a much needed working break with family in these parts. Until November 29, I will be catching up with posting about Australia, a bit more about New Zealand, and then also on Atlanta, where we at Charis had a fabulous time---and I also had fabulous one on one meetings with Eleanor, Mark and Mia. Pictures will be posted around November 29 because I'm working from a dial up connection which is too slow to handle picture posting.

At this point I've flown 22 flights as part of this project and fear I may be developing an allergy to airlines... well, I'll get over that but it is quite a lot of flying. I also came down with a cold the last couple of days, so it's just as well I'm away from most of civilization at the moment. I do very much appreciate the messages of support I have received via e-mail and it is very inspiring to see how much people support the advancement of advocacy by and for women with disabilities. It is so so cool. I am amazed by all my hosts' generosity in things like feeding and housing me, which helps me stretch my grant just that much farther to do more work with more women.

I think perhaps I am also in existential crisis mode. As in: having seen so many "homes" of the disability community, and such different kinds of work going on in so many places, and such enthusiasm with so many warm and hard working people, where the hell do I want to be and work (and live---I'm terrible about forgetting "me" time)? Yes, Chicago is my home right now, but also I realize that the disability community is everywhere---and that the number one mechanism women with disabilities need right now is some kind of way to stay connected and organized. So what is the best way to do this, in a way that empowers all of us and isn't all about me being everywhere? Comment or email with ideas!