Community Linkage

Every week there are new press releases, articles, information, and videos popping up concerning Paganism, spirituality, health, or disabilities. Community Linkage is a collection of useful information and sometimes entertainment for you. You can stay informed by adding me to one of your social circles on

Google+ or follow me on Twitter.
First of all, I’m very sorry if anyone’s comments have disappeared. I’m having trouble with the Discuss comment upgrade. Your participation is important to me and I’ll keep trying to learn what I can.

What’s going on in my life:

Adopting While Pagan

Sara Whedon interviewed me for the Pagan Families blog. Part One and Two are up.

Rev. Don Lewis, of Magick TV and former President of Witch School, interviewed me at the 21st Annual St. Louis Pagan Picnic. It’s about the upcoming anthology Rooted in the Body, Seeking the Soul: Magic Practitioners Living with Disabilities, Addiction, and Illness. He is a very nice gentleman, and I mean gentlemen since he wears a fancy suit, has his camera attached to a polished cane, and tips his hat. My interview begins at 4.23.

My new author page is up! What do you see in the magic mirror? The page will be updated with book information and writing tips.

What’s going on in the world:

NBC News “Fashion photographer focuses on those with genetic disabilities to reframe beauty.”
Rick Guidott went from being a high fashion photographer to wanting to change how people see others with genetic disabilities. The idea for the project came when he saw horrific dehumanizing images in medical books that were used to prepare parents for what their children have. Now he frames each subject in bright spectacular photographs that bring out the best in them. The article includes a slide show and video.

Thanks to Chas Clifton and the Wildhunt blog http://wildhunt.org/2013/06/pagan-community-notes-documentaries-awards-surveys-and-festivals.html for reporting on the research project about people’s spiritual relationship with animals. Dr. Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology at California State University, Northridge, and author of “Witching Culture: Folklore and Neo-Paganism in America” is conduction the research. Magliocco says that “Magliocco elaborates on benefits of the study: “This research could shed light on how people come to imagine themselves as part of an interconnected community that includes domestic and wild animals, and develop feelings that lead them to want to protect, defend and care for both domestic and wild animals. It may also reveal areas in which individuals diverge from the theological teachings of their religion as a result of their personal experiences with animals. Findings could be useful in developing educational programs for children and young people that foster sustainability.” I wonder if the survey includes questions about working pets such as dogs for the blind or comfort animals. You can participate in the survey here.

Entertainment

Catching Up – A Short Film by Bill Crossland & Mindy Beach

According to Bill, who is disabled, “I don’t think any kid, disabled or not, grows up dreaming about making a film about disability and sexuality. I was a kid obsessed with fantasy, horror, science fiction, and adventure movies. These are the kinds of stories I planned to tell, and I still have them in me. But during my time studying film at college, I became increasingly aware that most cinematic stories about disabled characters were simply too sentimental, or patronizing, or so focused on politics that the personal, human side of the characters got lost in the shuffle. Basically, they were either nauseating or boring.” He hopes to make an entertaining short film then a feature.

Peter Dinklage
HBO’s Game of Thrones season three just wrapped up. Do you think Peter Dinklage as Tyrian Lannister deserves another Emmy? He won in the first season.