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GLOBETROTTING
NINETEENTH ISSUE - SPRING 2000 SPONSORED BY TYCO INTERNATIONAL, LTD. "THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE DEVOTION TO MOTION WORLD TOUR" DESTINATION - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ( DUBAI )
Welcome friends as we circle the globe in search
of more effective ways to improve the quality of life. During
our journey we will explore various forms of complementary medicines
and share our findings with you. We will also address
accessibility issues and investigate more convenient options to ease
the never ending pressures of traveling. In each issue,
Globetrotting will have a special section created for today's youth
with an emphasis on educating children and teens on the historical
facts of each country. Finally, each issue will contain two
trivia questions and some popular words and/or phrases from each
country. For more updated news, diary entries, in-depth research
results, and pictures from our journey, please visit our website, www.d2motion.com.
We hope you will enjoy the path we have chosen!!
D2M TRIVIA QUESTION #1
When and where was the first e-mail message sent?
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Considering that Dubai is a city of nearly 30 years of age, it would be safe to say that there is no form of complementary medicine which originated here. There are many forms of medicines practiced there that are contributing to the well-being of its residents and tourists. One type of complementary medicine that has been adopted here, yet has proven very effective is Watsu. While spending time here in the desert, the thoughts of a fine oasis or a warm spring seemed to come to mind often. Watsu is the quick fix to desire. Last year I had a great opportunity to experience a Watsu treatment at The Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Arizona, another desert. What a coincidence! Before I begin to share my incredible experience with this increasingly popular treatment, it would be wise of me to first explain how it originated and what it entails. Watsu, or in practical terms water Shiatsu, is a combination of Zen Shiatsu, Indian chakra work, meditation, and yoga. Sound interesting? Back in the 1950's, Harold Dull, the creator of Watsu, studied with Shizuto Masunaga, the Japanese master who developed Zen Shiatsu: Reuho Yamada, a Zen priest, and Wataru Ohashi, developer of OhaShiatsu. After years of examining these techniques, Dull began to brainstorm ideas to enhance and deepen the effects of all of these techniques combined. He thought that the missing element was water, warm water. He believed that the buoyancy and warmth of the water add a whole new dimension to healing. This was a natural approach to relieving pressure on the body and work with nature. The best way to describe Watsu is to visualize dancing with someone in the water. Now visualize your partner sleeping and totally letting go. The facilitator is literally doing a dance with you in the water; rocking, arching, massaging, stretching, bending, you name it. On the other hand, the client or patient is recommended to go into a meditation, close his or her eyes, and simply let go of everything. Sometimes floatation devices are used to assist in the buoyancy, while at in some cases, just a simple pillow under the head is utilized. Some professionals have questioned the close contact involved with this technique, while proponents of Watsu believe that a nonsexual approach with such physical contact is very instrumental in therapy and recovery. In regards to my own experience of Watsu, all I can say is that it was amazing on all levels. During the 45 minute session, I ran the gamut of emotions. In the beginning, I immediately began to travel somewhere far away. Some people have actually noted that the experience was similar to a re-birthing. That did not happen to me, but I did "let go" and venture somewhere where I have never been. During the first fifteen minutes, I felt so peaceful and so relaxed by the gentle movements the practitioner performed on me. The next fifteen minutes were an entirely different story. At this point, I felt as if my whole body was paralyzed and that I had no control over my body at all. It was quite frightening, but I hung in there to observe what was on the other side of the fear. I am glad I did. The next fifteen minutes, I felt as if I was totally free of paralysis. There were several moments when I so much wanted to open my eyes and see if this dream was now a reality. But I remained in my meditation and completed my treatment. When I opened my eyes, I did not know where I was or for how long I had been gone. I did not know how she moved my body and did not care to know because it was simply perfect. If you want to further explore this wonderful world of Watsu, please contact the Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona at crexoff@azstarnet.com or purchase a copy of "Watsu: Freeing the Body in the Water," (Harbin Hot Springs Publishing, 1993).
NOTE: If
you or anyone in your circle of friends are connected with any healer
or complementary/alternative medical practitioner around the world who
you would like us to research or visit, please e-mail us: chesney12@comcast.net
D2M TRIVIA QUESTION #2
What color of M&M candy is the most numerous in each packet?
ACCESSIBILITY
Here we are in Dubai again, a place we never thought we'd visit in our lifetime, let alone twice in one year! Why did we come here again? Well, the main reason is because Dubai is hosting the third annual "Rehab 2000," a conference that according to the chairman of the organizing committee is said to be, "the only event of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The goal of Rehab 2000 is to improve the quality of life for disabled people of the Middle East region. Dubai has every intention of becoming the aviation and tourism hub the Middle East and as such, have designed a new and more accessible airport equipped with special accessible taxi / vans and is improving accessibility in hotels as well as public buildings. There's even a large rehabilitation complex being constructed on land that has been donated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defense. Being relatively new to industrialization and rich in finances, Dubai has been fortunate in that it is easier to make accessible alterations to existing buildings as opposed to older cities like Florence and Rome which are famous for their ancient architecture.
According to disabled advocates in Dubai, Dubai
has at least 35,000 disabled people of which 14,000 are severely
handicapped. As is the case in many countries, the majority of
the disabled population is kept indoors, for fear of public opinion
and pity. However, it is events like Rehab 2000 that allow the
disabled population to connect with each other and to learn more about
the products available to them in order to make life easier.
There are vendors from each continent, selling and teaching the
participants how their respective product/services or organization is
making a marked difference in the lives of the disabled. Scott
and I were invited by Mr. Iqbal Siddique courtesy of Al Fajer
Information & Services, to participate in this three-day
conference and exhibition. Scott was asked to give two
presentations entitled traveling with a disability and emotional
paralysis, respectively. In addition, we were given a booth
where we could distribute information on our message and our journey.
At the conference, we re-connected with our friends from Dubai and
South Africa. New friendships developed with representatives
from Sweden, Finland and Oman.
While in Dubai, we were invited to the adjoining city of Sharjah to tour the brand new Al Thiqah Club for the Handicapped. Believe it or not, this is the most accessible gymnasium/health club we have ever visited. Fully accessible bathrooms, showers, weight room, modern fitness equipment, even a swimming pool with a regulation ramp can be found on the grounds of this establishment. The members get to enjoy basketball (indoor and outdoor courts), table tennis, Aikido, tennis, chess, swimming, and track and field.. The club began in 1985 in a one small building, but in June of 1999 His Highness Sheikh Doctor Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the ruler of Sharjah, commissioned the new complex. Membership is free for the disabled, and $50.00 per month for others interested in utilizing the facilities (a bit expensive). One word of warning, due to cultural and social traditions in the Arab world, all the members of this club are men. When I asked why they don't allow women, I was told that there has been talk of having one day a week for women (it is not possible for both sexes to use the facility together). This may be a shock to many westerners, but in Dubai, the role and dress style of local Arabic women is quite different than in other non-Islamic countries. In fact, we were watching the horse race The Dubai Cup, and noticed that all of the spectators were men, garbed in white robes and white head-dress. When we inquired as to why there were no women present, we were told that they generally do not come out to such events. In fact, one evening Scott and I tried to enter a place called "The Global Village," a yearly event were representatives from all over the world come to sell goods from their native lands, as well as serve food and play native music. Well, unbeknownst to us, the day we chose to go was a Monday, which happened to be "Ladies Night." Scott and I had to do the 'walk/roll-of-shame.' As we were exiting the village, we observed small groups of women all dressed in black robes and black head-dresses, giggling at us. We did manage to go there again on another night and enjoyed ourselves. Needless to say, this is the culture and as in every country, we respectfully adhere to their laws because we are guests in their country. Our sincere thanks are extended to Mr. Iqbal Siddique of AL Fajer Information & Services for his invitation and complimentary sponsorship to Rehab 2000. Many thanks also go out to Ronald & Christine Coleman, of Happiness for the Handicapped based in South Africa for organizing our stay in Dubai, and including us in their plans. Much appreciation is extended to representatives from the Al Thiqah Club for enlightening us on the possibilities for the disabled. Thank you to all of our new friends in Dubai and the rest of the world.
EDUCATION
PROPER NAME OF COUNTRY: United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Facts:
Historic dates:
ON A LIGHTER NOTE
During our travels, we have been in a unique
position to observe human behavior around the world. The
interaction between people is fascinating wherever one goes and is not
as diverse as one may think. Given the extent of our work, we
have examined how the handicapped are observed and the feelings that
they conjure up inside the able-bodied society. If you look
different, act differently, or sound differently, you can be sure that
you will attract much attention wherever you go. Why? In
the case of a handicapped individual, he or she is merely serving as a
mirror reflection for an able-bodied person and that reflection is one
that the able-bodied person usually does not want to see. Many
able-bodied people have yet to accept the disabled person within them,
so when they do see a handicapped individual, their emotions are
stirred. Handicapped or not, whenever you find yourself staring
at someone, either in envy or judgement, you are usually seeing an
aspect of yourself that you have yet to acknowledge and furthermore,
accept. Once you have accepted the disabled person within you,
you will still look at a handicapped person and possibly still feel
sad and wish for that individual's recovery, but you will not be
disturbed or disrupted by his or her presence. The best way to
describe this type of acceptance is to view how children treat the
handicapped. They are not phased at all and are more honest in
their feelings. A child is more likely to ask a handicapped
person why he or she is disabled than an adult. Why?
Because a child is more in touch with his or her feelings and is just
seeking connection. Adults seek the same type of connection, but
have formulated judgements and opinions, which have set up
restrictions to the pathways of connection. Until we begin to
accept our shadows, which may appear in the form of a handicapped
person for some, we will continue to attract people to play out the
roles of our shadows. Isn't it beautiful to see a child chasing
his or her shadow. They are fearless. They are beautiful.
And they are our greatest teachers! Ah, the innocence of a
child.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!! We will be traveling to Amsterdam, Portugal and Brazil in the next few months. If you or any of your family, friends, and/or colleagues have contacts (alternative medicine practitioners, hotels, children, or simply friends and family) in these countries, please e-mail us and let them know we are coming! Thanks for your support!
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY??
Please e-mail us your thoughts, questions, comments, and/or suggestions about our newsletter and world tour. In addition, if you know people who can benefit from receiving future issues of "Globetrotting," please forward their e-mail addresses to us or simply forward the newsletter to them. You can reach us at chesney12@comcast.net
NEXT ISSUE!!
Click on that e-mail in two weeks when we visit
Limburg, Germany. A small town near Frankfurt, Limburg is close
to the home of Mother Meera, a quiet and spiritual woman, who attracts
followers worldwide. Join us as we partake in her Darshans.
Until next time, keep globetrotting in your world!!
D2M TRIVIA ANSWERS
Trivia Answer # 1 The world's first e-mail message was sent 25 years ago from Los Angeles to Menlo Park, California.
Trivia Answer # 2
30% of all M&M's candies are the color brown.
Thank you for listening and we'll visit you
again in two weeks!
Scott & Pratiksha Chesney |
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