Palomar College
Volume 35 No. 15
A Publication for the Associated Students
riday, March 26, 1982
San Marcos, CA
Gilson conducts masterpieces Two, large-scale orchestral masterpieces will be presented by Palomar Community Orchestra, conducted by Robert Gilson in the Palomar College Theatre April3 at8 p.m. and April 4 at 3 p.m. The program consists of "Symphonie Fantastique" by Hector Berlioz and Bela Bartok's "Piano Concerto no. 3," in which the soloist will be Peter Gach. The "Symphonie Fantastique" represents a culmination of the grand Romantic tradition of the 19th century. Berlioz said in his memoirs that the work was the history of his love for an Irish actress, Harriet Smithson, and the names of the movements themselves tell the stoyy - Dreams, Passions; A Ball; In the Fields; March to the Scaffold
and Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. The music is as dramatic as the story suggests and the orchestra correspondingly large to accurately depict such drama. The Piano Concerto No. 3 is a leisurely work which Bartok wrote as a farewell present to his wife because he knew he was dying. In spite of this, the work bears no trace of morbid sentiment anywhere, but is moving in its simplicity. Admission to the concerts is $3.50 general and $2 for students and senior citizens, and tickets are available from the Palomar Theatre box office or at the door. The box office is open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. For more information phone the Palomar College Music Department at 744-1150 or 727-7529.
Handicapped set 'ride day'
TWO FOR THE ROAD - Susan Ruby and George Karnoff sing "In My Merry Oldsmobile" during the vaudeville program following "The Tavern." (Photo by Meri Boyles)
SONG AND DANCE - David Bleth sings "Kelly" in the vaudeville routine following "The Tavern." (Photo by Meri Boyles)
Non-handicapped students will have the opportunity to take a wheelchair ride during Handicapped Awareness Days March 29 through April 2. The Undefeated Club is sponsoring this event to raise funds and to assist the public in becoming aware of the handicapped population. Activities will take place in the Student Union patio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Special adaptive equipment will be displayed and demonstrated
during the week. The Undefeated Club will encourage students to take a spin in a wheelchair. According to Ruth Tait, enablar assistant, this is being done "to make the general public more aware of the mobility problems the handicap face". Some hand crafted items and home baked goods will be sold. If any particular pastry is especially good, it will be possible to purchase the original recipe. A raffle for an original oil paintingis also being conducted. Tickets Continued to page 4¡
Eyes open when shoes are changed By Betty Hollman Being allowed to walk a mile in someone else's shoes can be a real eye opener. In this case the shoes were in the form of a wheelchair. Handicapped Services provided the wheelchair and the opportunity for a standing person to get a view of life from a sitting position. L:>oking harmless enough, the chair awaited its rider on the far side of the room. It appeared to be a comfortable chair but after sitting down the room suddenly became smaller and far more cluttered. Maneuvering around the table and chairs toward the door made one feel clumsy and awkward. It seemed as if getting from one side of the room to the other was equal to running an obstacle course in the dark. Once outside the downhill trip toward the Student Union appeared to be mere child's play. Not so, especially since the chair was not electric but manual. Manual means using arm power. Even at a slow creep all energy was directed toward keeping the chair on a somewhat straight and steady course. Simple turns, people and doorways suddenly became dragons that needed slaying. Avoiding the turns by cutting across the grass was not a smart move. The combination of the grass and rubber wheels gave the impression of driving a car with the emergency brake on. Although people seemed to know when to move, a certain amount of responsibility was felt by the driver not to run up the back of legs or over an unsuspecting foot. And getting through a doorway developed into a lesson in how not to get
the fingers pinched. Maybe these weren't fire breathing dragons, but dragons never the less. Frustration set in early. Knowing that with practice it becomes easier didn't seem to help. The arms were tired and nothing seemed simple anymore. The bright sunshine did serve as a reminder that things could be worse. What if it was raining? The chair could slide and tip over or get stuck or . . . the possibilities were endless. While mulling all this over on the way back up to Handicap Services another awkward reality set in. Strangers who only hours before had appeared casual now seemed slightly uncomfortable and terribly preoccupied. The slow moving wheelchair seemed to fluster them. After finally reaching Handicapped Services the opportunity was afforded to talk with a few handicapped individuals. Smiling and joking they gave pointers on how to use the chair. Tom Rhoads who has been in a chair for nine years, explained the fine art of making a graceful tum. "Opening doors, does sometimes pose a problem," Rhoads said. The simple answer to that was to ask someone for assistance. "If no one is around to get the door, open it a crack, then holler inside for help. In other words you must learn how to speak up when necessary." Although Palomar's facilities for the handicapped were judged as being very good, a few improvements were suggested. For example, the pool, which is considered an excellent form of physical therapy for the handicapped, has a difficult access.
"The hill leading up to it and even getting in and out of the pool itself is a problem," commented handicapped student John O'Donnell. O'Donnell, who uses the pool regularly , was quick to add that the college has been very responsive to the needs of the handicapped population. Unfortunately the feeling of being alienated from the nonhandicapped population during the wheelchair tour was not
imagined. It is quite common for people to feel uncomfortable and nervous when they are confronted with a handicapped person. Speaking quietly, Rhoads offered his perception of this obstacle. "People need to be told that we have the same feelings as others. Everyone is in some type of wheelchair. Its just that mine is visible while their's is invisible ."
"There is also a resentment, a feeling of fear that this person might not be able to do very much. However, it has been proven that the handicapped person can be accepted because he is dedicated. Whether it is employment, academics, or friendships, the handicapped person is dedicated." According to Gene Zevin, director of Handicapped Services, it is vital for persons with a handicap to interact with nonhandicapped individuals . "The handicapped person needs the perspective that the non-handicapped can offer. This is why we encourage all people, with or without a handicap to join the Undefeater's Club." "The club," Zevins explains, "acts as a social and emotional support group for the handicapped." After working with the handicapped for eight years, he feels that the emotional, intellectual, and social growth of the handicapped can be greatly enhanced by the guidance and friendship of a nonhandicapped person.
AUTOMATION - Pat Podence opens the door of Handicap Services with the assistance of an electric door opener. (Photo by V. Knox)
Summing it up he emphasizes that, "These individuals have much to offer the nonhandicapped population, ifthey would only take the time to know and get involved with them." The slight incline back into Handicapped Services at the end of the afternoon was hard on the arms. But remembering something Tom Rhoads had said helped to make those last few feet in someone else's shoes a little easier. "If you moan, groan, and say you can't, yo,u won't."