Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing-L digest, Vol 1 #242 - 10 msgs

[s leonard (ssl]

Rosa Leah <rcarson [at] wso.williams.edu> wrote:

>  Do I think non-parents should help with childcare in cohousing
> for group events or meetings?  You bet!  Do I think they deserve
> appreciation for that?  Yes, I do.  Otherwise, it feels onerous and
> unfair, even if it only comes out to a few dollars a month.
>

I am not living in a cohousing group but am interested, and actively looking.  
I am a
single parent, and one of my main attractions to cohousing is the "child 
friendly"
community environment which I hope it would provide for my son.

I am attracted to the idea of diversity (of ages, family types, and hopefully
backgrounds)

I have a couple thoughts:

1) substitued "handicapped" for "parents" in the above paragraph


>  Do I think non-handicapped should help with accesibility in cohousing
> so that the handicapped may attend group events or meetings?
>
> You bet!Do I think they deserve
>
> appreciation for that?  Yes, I do.  Otherwise, it feels onerous and
> unfair, even if it only comes out to a few dollars a month.
>

Does this sound different?

Because of legislation, this is now an "entitlement" in the US. the handicapped 
and
disabled are entitled to reasonable accomodations to allow them to travel, 
work, and
generally participate in life in the US.  Is this onerous and unfair?  I 
suppose some
would say so, but I dont think so.  It is easy to think of it as onerous if you 
have
never been handicapped or wheelchair-bound yourself, and dont know what a 
difference
a few simple modifications to doorways, curbs, etc makes to your mobility.

And I dont think that the handicapped/disabled should feel "required" to 
publically
voice appreciation to the non-handicapped for funding accesibility 
modifications to
the commonhouse. After all, if we live long enough, there is a good chance we 
will
all be in the same situation.  I would hope that this is something that is done 
as a
matter of course.

Likewise, I would say, as a single parent that having childcare available, as a
matter of course, for an important event, such as a general meeting is something
which can make an enormous difference in ability to attend.  I would say that a
community which includes a dollar or two a month per household towards 
"entitling"
parents to this is making a strong positive statement about the value of
children/parents in their community.

On the other hand, I do believe that the suggestion that a little appreciation 
goes a
long way is an excellent reminder.  I also feel that appreciation is something 
which
truly must spring from genuineness to be valuable.

So let me say, that I genuinely appreciate this list! I thank the various
contributors for teaching me much by voicing to your various viewpoints/ 
descriptions
of cohousing life.  (for example I now plan to at least put a bell on my outdoor
cat!:)

----
MHO
---
shanna leonard
----------------------------------


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