Left Behind

How many of you with some kind of impairment or challenge have felt left behind because you were not accepted?  How many of you wanted to be given a chance to show your talents and abilities to the world around you? And, how many of you wanted to move forward with a positive attitude, but were held back because it was inconvenient for someone else?

What a shame it is that a country so vast, so smart, and so sophisticated turns its back on the talents and needs of the most under-developed population.  Not so much the visually, or hearing impaired; but individuals with Cerebral Palsy and other mobility or speech impairments which are either left to solve there own problems, or are locked away in group homes, or forced to be monitored by an army of social workers who want total control of there being.  Moreover, we are told time and again that we are incapable and cannot work.  We are told to our faces that it’s better for everyone if we just stay at home, aren’t seen, and collect a social security check for the rest of our lives. 

How sad is that?  How sad is it that a group of people or a government of people will not accept us as human beings.  How sad is it that we are put here on this earth, but have to struggle all our lives! 

What is wrong with the picture?  And, what is wrong with the world?  And why do “we” have to suffer? Why?

I can’t live with this injustice, discrimination, and humiliation any more! Why, you might be asking yourself?  Because this happened to me.  So I’m the first to balk.  I’ll be the first to admit the truth.  And I’ll be the first to share it honestly and openly with the world so that good change can come from it. 

Has this happened to you? 

These “experts” have only one set of options.  And these options don’t usually include making our lives better.  What’s more, is that these options limit rather than increase our control over our own lives.  It segregates us from society, and denies us our birth right and equal status as individuals and Americans.  We were put on this earth to have the opportunity to develop and make use of whatever talents and brains that God gave us.  Just because we were paralyzed does not mean we don’t have sense about us to think, act, or perform a given task, or duty we  would love to do.  Why shouldn’t we then, be treated or given the same opportunities?  Are we so ugly to look at, we have to be locked away in a closet? 

Time after time, we do as we are told like good little children, although we get nowhere fast.  Once again, we are not taken seriously, and we are disrespected and discounted.  This must end!  And so must these despicable attitudes from people who make up a world who don’t want anything to do with us or change.

Tags: advocacy, defence, in support of, endorsement,, Challenges, dare to invite, to engage, to stimulate, to test one's ability, deal with, social and educational opportunities
Posted in Advocacy and Advice | 4 Comments »

What Does Bullying and Making Fun of Other’s; Got to Do With it?

I have heard a lot of commentary about kids bullying others, and then those same children who could not handle the making fun of any longer; killing themselves or hurting someone.  Many people do not know how much that actually happens in the disabled community.  But it does.  Sometimes its even worse than out in the “regular world.”  I know this because I lived through it, and experienced it a number of times first hand.  

When I was a child the kids around me would chastise me for having an over-weight parent.  Time and again, they would say mean and cruel words that stung deeply; of which all I could do was  swallow what they just said, and turn the other cheek.  Still another time, I was directly bullied by the classmate’s in my classroom.  I was a quiet, demure, good-hearted child, who never thought twice about saying something or doing something down right nasty just for the sake or fun of it. 

Yet, I had classmate’s that did just that!  I experienced a practical awareness of people who came up to my personhood, stared me in the face, spouted nasty, sweet, nothings to me directly, grab my work assignments right from under my very nose, and ripped then to shreds.  Still another time, as an adult mind you;  while teaching a young client who had C.P., I was directly ostracize because she felt she had a right to mock my movements.  Obviously, someone put this in her mind.  Where did she get this from.  Was it her wealthy background, her being the eldest child, or her controlling, manipulative ways.  Was she made fun of by others, herself?  Or, did she believe that making fun would get her somewhere?  

What she did not realize  was she was also making fun of herself.  With a stern, caring, compassionate, human side, I professionally sat her down; and reminded her that she too had a disability, and while it was the same, yet different, she would not like it if someone made fun of her.   People are not aware of how much there words can impact people around them.  It would be very useful if we all took the time to think before we hurt someone’s feeling. If we perhaps, really took the time to be careful there would be a whole lot less suffering and tragedy.

Tags: Bullying, making fun of, intimidate, harass
Posted in Advocacy and Advice, Reflections | 5 Comments »

Advocacy Development

Since I began to deal with the obstacles inherent in having a disability, I have taken many paths in advocating for myself and those I care about.  One of the most rewarding directions I’ve taken was when I served as a fitness instructor for people with and without disabilities.  People didn’t realize how much their bodies were capable of accomplishing.  So, in each and every class I taught, I empowered my students with my "I can do" attitude.  I tried to make each class very enjoyable and carefree.   In retaliation, my students in the adaptive aerobics class would take the time to playfully batter with me as I counted out the number of repetitive repetitions to the exercise movement we were doing to the rhythm of the music.  They found much amusement and light-heartedness in trying to pull one over on me.

In my private work, I have been a part of helping many clients grow and develop not only their physical abilities with their specific limitations, but , I have witnessed  their self-confidence and awareness soar.   Despite my so called barriers, I have found a way to rise above and conquer and share. I have found ways not only to encourage and inspire, but to feel very grateful myself.

Thanks to my dance teacher, Al Gilbert, and my dear mama, I have been able to rise above many stumbling blocks and give of myself in ways no one else has.  It has been a sincere gift to be able to use what I learned throughout the many years of my life, in dance, aerobics, and physical therapy, and give to others unconditionally.  These life giving lessons have shown me that having this disability of Cerebral Palsy has not only helped me to develop myself, as a person, teacher, mentor, advocate, published author, but help others in ways no one else might be able to or admit to. 

My disability, and its so called inherent disadvantage or weakness, however you want to call it  has really turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Posted in Advocacy and Advice | 2 Comments »