‘Twixt Paganism & Disability: Your Thoughts & Questions?
All of my grandparents immigrated from Lithuania, which was the last country in Europe converted from Paganism. This may be why I’ve had a life-long interest in Paganism during my 68 years. It’s also my 47th year as an activist for disability empowerment. I’m a quadriplegic psychiatric survivor, and I Co-chair our Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene Accessibility Task Force (ATF).
I’ve been reflecting on the intersection between the Disability & Pagan communities. Of course many of us live in both worlds. But deeper than that I see several fascinating connecting roots. For instance, this overwhelming climate crisis we are all facing seems to be an opportunity for humanity to become more humble. Perhaps we can now more easily recognize our interdependence, and that the idea of complete “independence” or able-bodiedness is a myth. Let’s explore this concept of “Green Disability.”
I’m working on a brief article on this bridge between disability and paganism. What comes up for you, whether you’re disabled or not, local or national? What are your thoughts, opinions & questions? I’d like to quote you; if you wish to stay anonymous, choose a pseudonym. Please try to email me by the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2023: davidwoaks@gmail.com. Aciu!, which means thanks in Lithuanian.
(I am Unitarian Universalist, and a current member of their national pagan group, CUUPS, as well as our UUCE local Church pagan affinity group. While I hope to hear from other UU’s, please feel free to email me with your ideas whether or not you are in a faith community of any kind, or none at all.)
