Re: [at-l] Handicapp Access

["Howard D. Lyons, Sr." <turtle@aryeh.com>]

Lots of nice things said about the topic, but---
There is no standard, encompassing, goal expressed on land 
use--especially government controlled lands. You could not get (haven't 
gotten) AT-Lto express a single goal how can you get a single plan for 
managing the land.  Some special interest groups (i.e. S.Club) are 
politically motivated and seek "wilderness" as an item for "control". 
handicapped groups (I am handicapped) seek to lower all challenges to 
the lowest common denominator. The days of Lewis & Clark wilderness 
experiences are all but gone. I don't think the the AT will ever be a 
wilderness--unless nature is allowed to reclaim it--that will never 
happen.
     
To experience what remains is a noble goal. My kids will never 
experience camping on Springer as I have. They will never experience 
communications as I have. They will never experiene some of the douglas 
firs I have, but I will never experinece some of what they will 
experience. How many of us would give up fleece for Ed Garvey's kakis. 
We certainly couldn't endure what our fore-fathers endured. Wilderness 
(and wilderness travel) will be defined by each generation. Each 
generation will define their own challenges and carry parts of their own 
civilization into their wilderness attempting to overcome what ever is 
there.
     
While we should help handicapped individuals reach as far as their 
limitations willl allow, they sould also allow and encourage everyone 
else to reach their fullest potential even if it means they are left in 
the dust in certain experiences in life.  As a society we should be 
lifting each other up to new heights not trying to find common 
denominators. Mayby we can clebrate the differences.
     
Just an old man's thoughts,
Turtle


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