Thank you to everyone who reads the Staff of Asclepius. Monday’s post has been shared 78 times and counting. Since August the views have gone from one or two to fifteen – eighty per day. I would not be able to live my passion for writing and sharing information with the community if others weren’t reading. Thank you. The Staff of Asclepius is my offering to the Pagan community. It’s a place to share how a spiritual and magical life... Read more
You can read part one here. www.patheos.com/community/paganswithdisabilities/2011/02/28/interview-with-drake-spaeth-psyd-pagan-minister-psychologist-and-professor/ (Update: I just discovered that today, March 1st, is Drake Spaeth’s birthday.) Image: Drake Spaeth photo courtesy of www.spiritoftheearth.org Masery: You recently attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Cultural Impact Conference. How often is this conference held and about how many people attended this year? Drake: It is an annual conference, attended by students an faculty at The Chicago School. I would estimate that 1500-1600 people attend yearly. Masery: You presented “Magic... Read more
Because of the Western world’s economic downturn or crisis as it is sometimes called, there is a debate going on in the United States and the United Kingdom over health care budget cuts. These proposed cuts are disheartening for disabled and impaired Pagans. The good news is citizens aren’t going to take it. www.patheos.com/community/paganswithdisabilities/2011/02/25/saturday-us-and-uk-citizens-unite-to-uncut-social-benefits/ The other news is that important steps are being made toward better health care for the Pagan community. Cultural anthropologist Kimberly Hendrick, PhD conducted the Pagan... Read more
UPDATE: The Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) has refused Gov. Walker’s request to clear out the State Capitol. To show support for the peaceful protesters who clean up after themselves, they are asking WPPA members to come sleep among the protesters tonight. Read the full press release at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/February11/0225/0225wppa.pdf The Chant That Crossed The Pond The United Kingdom and the United States are in the midst of an economic downturn. Just as a household would trim a budget, the governments... Read more
Disabilityscoop “Man With Cerebral Palsy Finalist In Oprah Network Contest” by Michelle Diament Zach Anner, who has cerebral palsy, is a finalist in a contest to host his own show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He wants to create a travel show “for people who never thought they could travel.” As a side note: Redditors, members of the massive internet forum Reddit, held a campaign last summer to support Zach. Read more at www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/02/21/zach-anner-finalist/12367/ Disaboom Contest: Winner Announced! The winning... Read more
The Standing Stone and Garden Gate podcast is hosted by Juni and Bren. The February 21, 2011 Episode “Reasonable Doubt” discusses Pagan unity in the opening segment. Listen to the podcast at stonegatepodshow.net/ Bren and Juni discuss Islam and how praying to Mecca creates a powerful sense of unity since members know millions of others are doing the same thing. Bren mentions that it is simple to become a Buddhist or Muslim. The new member simply says some words to... Read more
In January, the Associated Press conducted a health care law poll and spoke to 1001 Americans by telephone. For more information about the poll you can read the previous Staff of Asclepius post. www.patheos.com/community/paganswithdisabilities/2011/01/25/associated-press-january-2011-american-health-care-poll/ Of the 1001 participants Religious affiliation: Protestant 25% Catholic 25% Mormon 1% Jewish 1% Muslim 1% Other 26% No religious denomination 19% Of the “Other” religion 87% were Christian and 13% were not. To find out what American Pagans thought of current Health Care Law I... Read more
Dear Readers: I’ve had the opportunity to work on a temporary local design and publishing project. With that and my ongoing search for permanent employment, I will be taking a few days off. The results of the American Pagan Health Care Law survey will be up on Wednesday. Hope to hear from you in the comments! Blessings, Masery Read more
Today, hundreds of people will be arriving for the 17th annual PantheaCon in San Jose, California. It is one of the world’s largest indoor festivals of its kind. Because of it’s location at the DoubleTree hotel and large convention staff, it is also one of the most accommodating for Pagans with disabilities and other health concerns. My husband and I attended PantheaCon twice when I lived in the Monterey Bay area. We enjoyed the experience immensely. I was impressed by... Read more
There is an informative three part series on Pagan health care by Cara Schulz at Pagan+politics, a project of the Pagan Newswire Collective. “Much of the conversation regarding health care in our country revolves around cost and what the government’s responsibility is towards the citizens in providing health care. Sprinkled throughout are bits about greedy doctors, litigious lawyers, and rich taxpayers. Very little is said about the role that you and I play in maintaining our health. We are looked... Read more
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