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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
Steve,
Would it be possible for the Café to add a forum for disabled magicians? I bring this up now because I've just noticed that a partially paralyzed wheelchair-bound member has just joined, and that brought it back to mind. As you probably know from my posts, I have nerve damage in my hands from diabetes. There are many older members who have complained of problems with arthritis. And, of course, we have deaf magicians like Ron Jaxon. When I polled members last year, I found a great deal of interest in such a forum. And since the Café now has an active forum 'For the Ladies', I thought maybe you might be open to the idea of having one 'For the Differently Abled'. Thanks for hosting a great place to discuss magic, Steve. And thanks for listening.
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I'm for it. It's been discussed a little but I can understand some questions that might arise on it.
Some might wonder if it would be proper. Others might wonder if there would be enough interest. As someone who has a "Difference" I think it would be proper. In other words I doubt there is any danger of anyone being offended. On the matter of interest. I wouldn't think it would become as popular as some sections of the Café such as the "New to Magic" or "Food for thoughts". But I think it could be just as popular as some sections here. Here are some other thoughts. First let me tell you this story. I know a guy (Strangely his name is Guy). When I first meet him and he found out I was a magician. He went out to his car and brought in his little magic case. One look told me that he was more likely a hobbyist (Judging by many Royal magic props.. ). Anyway, we became friends and I taught him some stuff. For no real reason other then this is how life goes we kind of lost touch with each other for a few years. One day I was searching around in Ebay and found a magic case for sale. I looked at the name and found out it was being sold by my friend Guy. I found him and asked why. He then showed me his hands. His arthritis was now so bad that his hands where bent to a very strange shape. He can barely hold a deck of cards anymore. Because of the frustration he quit magic and sold all his props. The moral to that story... I have great respect for Airship who, from what I gather, has a similar condition yet here he is. Not quitting and finding a way to cope. Now I'd bet that if I where to ever meet him in person he'll show me things that he does differently then most because he had to find a way around his condition. I could just see us sitting there and I do some card move and he says something like, "My hands won't let me do that move. So this is how I do it". Then he's show me his alternative and I might someday have a use for that. I know of a few one armed magicians. They do things one handed. I could use those move too. In some situations it might allow me to have a free hand to accomplish something else. I've been talking to a fellow Café Member Kyle lately. Kyle also happens to be deaf. He also happens to be a fellow deaf magician. We've shared funny stories, embarrassing stories. How we've solved problems. We even discussed the possibility of gather magicians with "differences" and asking them to submit their stories. Not only stories but methods they've used to adapt to their condition. Methods that they came up with because they had no choice and many of these methods would be helpful to people without a "difference". Just last week I made a post in the "grand Illusion" section on a method of having better timing on some stage illusions that I had to work out because of my deafness. I also think about the fact that we all have to overcome conditions even if they are only temporary. Have you ever had to perform a show while you where sick? How can I control that cold and fever long enough to get through the show (I drink hot tea.. ). Have you ever broker or sprained your arm, wrist, leg, etc..? If I had a broken arm and had a show I just can't get out of. I'll definitely seek a one armed magicians to see if they have any suggestions. If you have stuffy ears comes find me.. LOL I would also imagine it would be a great place for us to find help. I might run into a situation that's caused by my deafness. If I can't find a solution we've got some great minds in here and who knows. Maybe someone would be able to come up with something for me. One more thing I think this section could be good for. We have a lot of discussions here on the Café asking for advice on performing "for" people with a difference. This could also be a place to find help for that. So you've got one vote from me. Ron Jaxon |
MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
I actually put up a similar post just a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, no one replied to it.
The reason for my post was because I met a man at the Magifest who gave a lecture about using magic to work through disabilities. He, himself, had been in a car accident and suffered a major neural deficet(sp?) and used magic to aid in his recovery. While he is not 100%, he feels that he is a lot further along than he otherwise would have been because of magic. I sincerely hope that Steve gives this the consideration it's due.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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sibbie Special user East Coast 525 Posts |
I think this would be great not only for those with disabilities but also for those that work with charity work such as "Project Magic" who may be able to learn new approaches to teach people they are helping.
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edh Inner circle 4698 Posts |
I to would like to see a section for the "differently abled". I'm in a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair. While I can do most magic, there are some things I cannot do, or find difficult to do. This would be a great place to ask others with similar disabilities for help in overcoming such situations.
Please consider this. thanks edh
Magic is a vanishing art.
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Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Dear Steve and friends,
As I suspect I am the individual that Airship is referring to, I would like to add that as we all get older, many magicians will probably be leaning more on canes than levitating or making them disappear. So, a source of information regarding performing magic with physical limitations could be of use to the mainstream magic public as well. May I add that I am extremely touched by the warm welcome I have received here at the Magic Café.
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
You're welcome, Hearttau. It's always good to meet a fellow magician whose just found the Café.
To add to what you were saying, it seems the big killer for a lot of older magicians is arthritis. Finding new ways to do old favorites, or even discovering new favorites if need be, is very important as we age and can no longer do what we used to take for granted.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Believe it or not, this is something that has actually been on the backburner for a couple years now, and we will be creating this special forum. Aagain, I anticipated this need a long time ago and just haven't gotten around to setting it all up. Rest assured that I will. By the way, if it offends someone - too bad.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
Thanks Steve,
That's great to hear. Your's in Christ, David
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
'Way to go Steve!
Julie |
airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
Hey, thanks, Steve, that's great news!
And I also chime in on adding 'performing for the differently abled' as another worthy purpose of this forum. PS Ron, I don't think I could probably teach you ANYTHING!
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
Yea, Steve contacted me quite some time ago about a section for deaf magicians. I liked the idea but I did bring up my thoughts on not knowing how much interest there would be in it. But a section like we're talking about here would be great. even someone with a hang nail could join in..
I'll tell you one thing though. When it's up and running I'll definitely spread the word with those I know. I don't know all that many deaf magicians myself but just a little over a month ago I received a very interesting Email. A man named Simon Karmel (who is a deaf magician) is in the process of creating two books. One of them is on Deaf folklore. It'll explain things like the origin of Sign language and different aspects of it. He sent me one article on the way dear applaud reached the USA. I found it very interesting. The other book is on deaf magicians. I'm honored that he asked for me to be a part in that. The book will basically be a collection of deaf magician biography's. Can you believe they'll date back to the 1800's?! Anyway, he obviously knows a lot of deaf magicians so I'll get him to spread the word. I should save more information on that for when the section of the board is up and running. Ron Jaxon |
MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Quote:
He sent me one article on the way dear applaud reached the USA. I found it very interesting. Ok, Jaxon, you got my interest peaked. What exactly is "dear applaud"? Inquiring minds want to know. While not deaf myself, but hard-of-hearing in one ear, I have studied a little bit on deaf history and culture. One book in my personal top five is "Deaf Like Me". An excellent addition to anybody's library. One interesting tidbit states that the two hands of the statue in Lincoln's Memorial form the letters AL in sign. The sculptor, if memory serves me right, had some interest or something to do with bringing sign language to America.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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MagiClyde Special user Columbus, Ohio 871 Posts |
Here is the real scoop on the Lincoln Memorial statue:
Quote:
Do the hands on the Lincoln Memorial spell out a message? Others may say coincidence, but I can't help but suspect otherwise. Steve, don't worry about what others may think. This would definitely be a welcomed forum to the Café.
Magic! The quicker picker-upper!
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
It's in the works...
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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