Join me in advocating for the removal of this ridiculous and insulting billboard.

Some messages that perpetuate ignorance about disabilities are subtle and some are more obvious. I can think you'll gather which I feel fits the billboard to the right that was recently posted by a DUI Task Force in Montana. I learned of  this highway eyesore thanks for the Justice For All blog (JFA) and newsletter and thought I'd pitch in to write a letter to the editor of the Missoulian newsletter and the County Commissioner. Because  find it petty (but amusing) to point out grammatical errors in my posts, I'll try to refrain from pointing out that my beautiful brushed Titanium Terminator is described with ONE word (wheelchair)-not two.

[Photo caption: Billboard with picture of police officer standing next to an empty hospital style wheelchair with text that says, "Think Seatbelts are confining? try a wheel chair."]

Here's my letter:

********************************************* 

Dear Mr. Backus,

While I'm not a Missoula citizen, I'm proud to say I have a few friends in the area. I was saddened to see the billboard recently posted by the Ravalli County DUI Task Force and hope you'll allow some education to spread in your area in an effort to counteract the negative stereotypes promoted by this public message. "Think Seatbelts are Confining? Try a Wheelchair." not only uses the dated connotation of being confined to a wheelchair, but it also clearly suggests that life in a wheelchair must be miserable and hardly worth living. My wheelchair is far from confining. It's provides me freedom and the ability to live a more active life than many able bodied people I know. I'm 28 years old and a recently engaged Ph.D. student studying clinical psychology. While bothersome, my self-esteem is no longer affected by these kinds of negative messages, but I'm disappointed that your town's children are exposed to such discriminatory statements.

I do want to commend your town's attempt to make a strong statement against drunk driving and the importance of wearing seatbelts. This is an issue shared by your community and mine, people with disabilities. Many people with spinal cord injuries acquire their disability at the hands of a drunk driver and/or from the failure to buckle up. This is a reality that I'd like us to fight together instead of divided. From a psychological perspective, research tells us that scare tactics don't work. I know the DUI Task Force's billboard was well-intentioned, but I'd like to see it replaced with an effective message that targets potential drunk drivers and reminds people to protect their safety rather than insulting people with disabilities in your county and across the country.

I sincerely appreciate your time to consider my thoughts and I hope you'll be a part in changing the tide of America's misconceptions about the world's largest minority group. If you have questions, I'm always open to discuss this matter further. I can be reached at karasheridan@bellsouth.net.

********************************************

What are your thoughts on the billboard? Want to get involved? Here's how:

It only takes a few minutes to get your advocacy on! I sent similar letters to all three contacts and will let you know if I hear any responses.