Friday, May 14th, 2010 by klynn
In the last few months, as I have struggled with inner ear problems, and have been bed ridden and house bound, I have had a lot of time to think. I have come to the conclusion that the greatest waste that our men, women, children encounter in our society is the lack of participation in our lives. I am very passionate about these thoughts and feelings, because first hand, I have seen human beings turn their backs on others. They are more interested in helping oneself get ahead than helping advance a cause of a particular group. Every time I think about the unfairness of these inequities, and the time of day by day empowered experiences wasted, it hurts and drains my spirit in a way I almost cant explain. Where is the kindness? Where is the help we need to help ourselves? And where is the understanding of what we are really trying to do?
Isn’t it awful that we have to spend a lifetime proving ourselves over, and over, and over again because men and women in and out of power think that because we have a disability we aren’t capable of making the run! It is a non-verbal, uphill battle, of delay and deal making which never gets us anywhere, fast. Thus, we are pronounced to be…mentally deficit, with scattered thoughts, and unrealistic goals, and why? I ask you why? Because, someone in power is threatened by what we want to do. No where in my life, on the internet, or blogs has ever cared enough to talk about just this. So I am. I am the rebel with a cause! We are meekly by-passed, ignored, and forgotten. Nobody wants to deal with US. The full and equal participation of our or any disabled community in public life is squandered by prejudices and limited ways of thinking which was designed to hold people back, lock them far away in a closet, and leave them to rot on a mere social security check for the rest of their lives. They don’t want to deal with us. They don’t want to make any sacrifices, and they don’t want to spend their week-end trying to help us, help ourselves. It is so much easier to spend time on the most sever and obvious cases which only want an ice cream cone now and then. People would be shocked at the amount of bargaining, sacrifice, and cunning required to deal with the very organizations which claim their purpose is to help.
When I am labeled “mentally retarded” on three separate occasions, when the speech impaired person have there talents ignored, and when a person who has spent eight years proving their abilities, spent a hundred thousand dollars for a doctorate, is told he belongs in a workshop- something is very wrong!
We need to “…look in the mirror and change our ways.” We need to reach out and help- we need to replace expert directed thinking with self created choices. We need to overhaul the way people treat others.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 by klynn
“The Promise of the Park”
Friday, February 5th, 2009
REVIEW by Professor of American History Sean Dineen, MA, Kean University, NJ
The history of disability inclusion began earlier than you think, although the issue has always been a struggle. We in the Disability Community have spent our lives watching the struggle for inclusion unfold, bit by bit, inch by inch, and sometimes, by the grace of God, triumph. It is very easy to fall into the misunderstanding that no one was really thinking about “our issues” prior to 1973. It was my pleasure to learn that this is not true at all.
I recently observed Theatre in Motion’s musical play “The Promise of the Park,” a fetching, time traveling tale about the first American park open to everyone, New York City’s Central Park, and its maverick first Architect in Chief, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. “The Promise of the Park” is well-researched and handsomely written by Ms. Leslie Fanelli (Artistic Director and Founder of Theatre in Motion). The performance I saw was engagingly fresh and exciting, juxtaposed to the fact that Central Park’s history germinated in the nineteenth century.
It took sixteen years to build and officially open the park in 1873. This was a full century before the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which laid the foundation for equality in education and physical accessibility in government buildings in the twentieth century and beyond. In the nineteenth century, Mr. Olmsted and his co-creator, Calvert Vaux, designed Central Park as largely physically accessible via the use of ingenious landscape architecture—specifically, the park’s sunken transverse roads. These sunken roads separated “the frantic zeal of the cross-town traffic” from “the rustic beauty” and patrons traveling about the park. In fact, in the original 1857 design called “The Greensward Plan,” Olmsted and Vaux had pointed out that the transverse roads would allow for the inclusion and safety of people with disabilities—and ladies (in big, hoop skirts)! Olmsted and his two sons would go on to design thousands of American landscapes, and in 1893, Olmsted, Sr., designed the grounds for the spectacular Chicago World’s Fair. He also designed breathtakingly beautiful grounds for a number of hospitals. In this arena, he was brilliantly ahead of his time because he espoused bright, air-filled treatment rooms, in place of the stark “cells” of the era. Plus, of course, he believed his lovely grounds to be naturally therapeutic. It is ironic that he spent his last few years after acquiring dementia in the McLean Psychiatric Hospital, where he had previously designed the becalming scenery.
Throughout his career, the genius landscape architect Olmsted saw the need to use public spaces to bring people together. In a time when any concern for the non elite was dismissed as radical, or dispensed with the disdain of paternalistic disengagement, a public park for all humankind to share—black and white, rich and poor—was unheard of. Even before he sustained his decided, permanent limp in a frightening carriage accident, he understood the need to integrate those with disabilities into his parks, and by extension, the wider world. In fact, as Ms. Fanelli’s play reveals, he designed the first wheelchair accessible trail to the top of Mount Royale in Canada in the 1870’s.
The play is executed in a whimsical, yet compelling manner, like all of Ms. Fanelli’s vibrant works. In “The Promise of the Park,” she is director, actress, and singer—in addition to being the playwright. Her teenage persona (along with her friend and conscience, “Amy”) is played with zest and humor. Ms. Amelia Fowler as “Amy” is endearing, piquant, and funny in her role. In one scene, they are having a picnic in the park when, to their disbelief, they encounter Olmsted himself, who has traveled through time to see his beloved park in the twenty-first century. Initially, they cannot believe that Olmsted, whom they have never heard of, is anything more than an actor or confused soul, but he is able to convince them that he is, in fact, Central Park’s first Architect in Chief. That accomplished, the three share an exciting journey back into the park’s creation, after which, they time travel forward into the present to better understand and heed the critical environmental concerns facing the world now.
I would be remiss not to mention Bill Houpt at the piano—a fine, keyboard “one man orchestra.” He not only plays the pleasing accompaniment, but plays the sound effects, as well.
The lion Olmsted, brought to life by Mr. William Dembaugh, experiences great wonder at this new world. He believes a jet plane to be a new bird, and the tall buildings on the perimeter of the park to be incredible structures, especially because in 1873, there were virtually no buildings surrounding the park—and certainly none as tall as today’s skyscrapers! He proceeds to teach and mentor the two young people on how to protect this park treasure that he has given to everyone. “The First American People’s Park.”
As the mighty protagonist Olmsted, William Dembaugh is humbly resplendent. His exquisite, tenor voice captures the beauty of Olmsted’s life and work. The entrancing music, created by an artistic team headed by Ms. Susan Mondzak, is delightful and, when needed, dramatically engaging. “The Things I See” and “Back in 1873” are bracing, musical stand-outs. With regard to the musical drama, Mr. Dembaugh is careful to portray Olmsted not as an archaism, but rather, a forward-thinking, inclusive artist.
Yes, indeed, the history of disability inclusion began earlier than you think.
Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr.—a man of his time, a patriarch before we knew what that really meant.
Theatre in Motion is an award-winning, professional, non-profit theatre company that features intergenerational creative and performing artists with and without disabilities—serving intergenerational audiences with and without disabilities via original dramatic and musical productions.
Theatre in Motion’s New Music CD, “The Promise of Central Park,” is available at CDBaby:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/theatreinmotion
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 by klynn
Were have the days gone? It was Christmas only 2 months ago! In the hectic lives we all live and lead, we eagerly just keep turning the pages of time. The moments don’t stop for us, or for our convenience, they continually keep on ticking. Tic, tic, tic. Daily we look at our calendar’s. We look to see what we have scheduled and penciled in for that particular day.
Rarely do we stop for a second, to take a moment to smell the fragrances before us. We don’t stop to listen to the quit, stillness in the air. Still, we seldom stop to focus in on the unseen and the unspoken. We certainly don’t stop to mark or jot down those treasured seconds. We get caught up in the moment, deterring us from what’s really important to us. Too fast, the moments slip by. We forget to think about all the precious things that we are grateful, for. We forget about nice things that are said and done. Before you know it, in a blink of an eye; years and decades have past us by. Things that were once so very important to us, have melted away like the glaciers in the most high.
Now, the sweet ,sugar, coated aromas of the canopy fill the air. Red and pink pedals of roses are in plenty, and lovers will soon croon the tune "unforgettable." The card store’s will be creeping with people hustling to hone in on the perfect card and gift. People will crowd the restaurants to celebrate Anniversary’s, birthday’s, and especially valentines day.
These celebrations are a reminder to value what is really important in our lives, which is time spent with those we love. In looking back, it is that which we remember.
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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 by admin
It is now three weeks since I have returned home, and 11 days into the month of June. Where I live, the June gloom has covered the skies until about 1:00 p.m. pretty much every afternoon. I have gotten back into my daily routine, and I have been happily writing. Yesterday afternoon, I started an article that will be published in next months Audacity Magazine and before this article, I had two others published. The two older articles, now, have already been posted. One on Audacity Magazine, online- the other, on ldonline.org I welcome you to read them and comment on here if you like.
From where I came from, I never really thought that this desire of mine would have come true to fruition. As I can remember how difficult writing was for me. I could not write a complete sentence with my dyslexia and learning disability, nor could I punctuate in the correct way grammatically. It was a daily struggle which brought tears to my eyes many a times.
Now, when I write, I am truly, amazed that these words are pouring out from my mind and heart. I give thanks for my ability to write and reach others in the way that I am doing.
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Thursday, May 29th, 2008 by admin
Since I last wrote, I have crossed the ocean and flew over three thousand miles to address the Historical Society at Kean University, as well as advocate in a friends defense. I took a beautiful, scenic train ride up to Massachusetts, where the vistas captured a quiet peace within myself. It laulled me into a place of traquility where no one could distub me or my oneness.
I was away from home for three weeks, and while in New Jersey, I received an email asking me to come back to Kean University next year to speak to an even bigger audience of individuals and professionals. How sweet the sound…
Thus, I go from here to inspire and empower, and to reach more of all of you…
Untill next time…
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Saturday, May 17th, 2008 by admin
The canopy shines down upon me with it’s bright beautiful light, spurring me on with its powder blue sky’s to keep on keeping on. Its warm, soft fibers wrap me up in a comfortable, soothing blanket where I have been blessed to have people who care about me, and can guide me, and help me, and lead me to problem solve, and fix this 2 month old frustration and dilemma I’ve been having to maintain and fix my blog; so that I can continue to write my entry’s to all of you.
It is indeed a blessing, because I was beginning to wonder if I would eVER get this thing working again. I am so connected to writing and sharing, and touching other individuals lives who have Cerebral Palsy, a learning disability, and aNY other kind of developmental delay; that I do not know what I would do if I couldn’t write, connect, or reach out in the way that I do.
Thus, I want to thank all of you for being patient with me as I keep moving forward to make this blog and my site the best you expect it to be. I welcome all your suggestions and kind words, as I continue to fight the good fight and continue to speak up for the rights of people with disabilities and advocate on your behalf!
I will climb the highest mountain, and speak the truths as I see them. It has been well over thirty years since I have started on this path and no one, no where, no how, will stop me from empowering and inspiring and leading the way to real solidarity in the world we live in today. We must forge forward, together, in unison. We must do this by continuing to break down the walls and the berries that separate and divide us. We must keep our chins up, and face our foes head on, and we must continue our battles in a constructive, positive, reaffirming way. We will succeed, and keep succeeding, and conquering, but ONLy if we lend our hands to another.
If you want to wage a war against discrimination, or in any mater- we must all work together in partnership and truly heLP each other across the board like I was today, and yesterday, from a fellow CPer."?))))))))) If we all find it within ourselves to help or lend a helping hand to one another we will all better ourselves.
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Sunday, March 16th, 2008 by admin
The cold of winter has left for the season, as well as the hearts and arrows of Valentine’s Day. They have been left behind by the many moments and minutes and weeks gone by. If you haven’t seen any entries from me going up lately on this blog for the past two months, it has been because I have been literally and physically jumping hurtles to cope and deal with people who are "EXPerts" in their own fields, who think they know it all- about EVERything!
Some people have suggested that I rewrite all of my articles with a preface. While others, tell me to get Goggles help, and still other technicians offer little or no suggestions at all. What then is a poor, sincere girl like me suppose to do?
All and all, I have continued on the straight and narrow. In the last couple of months, I have not only been making arrangements to fly back to the east coast, but I have begun the process of trying to expand my visibility. I have secured a speaking engagement for the historical society at Kean University. This is just another goal that I have been working towards to empower myself and others. Because of my Dear and devoted friend, professor Sean Dineen, this speaking event has been made possible.
We will be making a video of my presentation which I hope to share and make available to all my readers and compatriots. I am really looking forward to this trip-in meeting new people, making new contact, and expanding my own personal circle of friends. I await anxiously to spread my story and book to those who have no idea of who Karen Lynn is.
I do this because I find a deep reward in giving of myself and of sharing my life with others. I have experienced so much throughout my entire life span; that I feel that this is the least I can do. I feel that this is the only way to give back to the world and community, and to stay personally connected with each and everyone of you! It also gratifies me in surmountable ways, of which, has profound effect on my life, and gives me an energy that revitalizes my spirit. All of you have either watched me personally, or experienced for yourself, what daily struggles and challenges are like. Weather living with a disability or not, we all have moments in our daily affairs which we have to cope and deal with. But if we have a friend to turn to… it makes life a whoLE lot easier to deal with these difficulties effectively.
I share with all of you, so that we all are not alone, and so we all have each other to turn to!
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 by admin
The days of January 2008 have almost passed us by. The rain has drenched the grown, the snow covers the mountain tops, and the sun tries to shine brightly through the grayish clouds. Pretty soon, it will be Valentine’s day where partners send flowers and roses valuing their significant other. Will we stand alone or will we too be valued?
In the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition for the word valued is…the regard that something is held to deserve; importance or worth. Are we and our lives held with value or worth? Do others accept us for who and what we are? Disability, silent or not? Do we accept others and ourselves with the sensitivities we have as being people (with Cerebral Palsy or a learning disability)? Even though, we have C.P., a learning disability, have scoliosis, a developmental delay, arthritis, or whatever our disability may be- WE are still men and women, young and old, of the human race. We still want to be treated respectfully and with care and kind regard.
We want to be treated like those without a disability. We want to reach our highest potential and reach for the stars.
So, let me ask you… do you do everything you can to move your life forward? And if you can’t is there someone caring for you who can? Are you not only valuing yourselves more, but the one’s around you taking steps to give you the worth, regard and importance you to deserve? Do you feel your own worth and confidence?
For the most part, in our hearts of hearts, it matters to us deeply that others care. It matters how much people around us and in the disabled community understand and value us. It matters that we be treated with value. What ever our disability is, we would like people in our lives, our community, our world, our schools, and in our organizations to treat us like those without a disability.
Instead of competitiveness, let us teach others around us, to turn away from needing or having it all! Teach others how you need help, And show them the light and power of helping those who need help the most. It is not in the material or worldly good that we fine peace and harmony and worth within our every day experience- Instead, it is in the act of giving of ourself selflessly and lending advise and a hand to though’s who need it the most.
This Valentines, see what kind word or dead or act you personally can bring to the hearts of those with special needs. See how you feel. See the difference it brings to your spirit. It takes thought and mindfulness, care and consideration. It takes intention to do something positive. It takes a willingness to make a difference in just one person’s life. And it take doing ONLY one good dead to bring someone hope and joy!
How can each and every one of us make a contribution to society. How can we bring hope and faith to those who what it , need it, and deserve it the most? How can we make ours and other peoples voices heard? How can we help to move our and those other peoples lives around us forward? How can we bring peace back into our and others lives? It is our basic right- these are the fundamentals of wiping out true discrimination. Help me to make a stand and to make a difference one person at a time! I ask you…
We need to communicate our needs, our wants, and our desires and those achievement that would truly make us happy and fulfilled, while gaining the publics respect and our world to value us as human being such as we are. We must know within our own conscience that we are doing good, that we are making a differences.
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 by admin
I thought I would spend the first blog of the new year on something a little different. I thought I would share and mingle some positives thoughts for my life and yours!
I have learned a great deal from the challenges that have come with my C.P. All my life I have had to work doubly hard to get to where I am and to have created a life for myself and those I care about. Every-time, I mastered a new skill, whether it was driving, getting a job, or building this website, my sense of control over my own life was enhanced. "Destiny has a thousand pieces of wrapping paper over it." I think what Armand Hammer meant by that is that out of struggle and adversity comes a great desire to achieve in every aspect of our lives. It feels me with pride to know how much I, and each one of you has accomplished in our own lives.
The effort myself and all of us have put out in our families, our work, and our spiritual lives pays off in a hundred different ways. A person can only succeed by putting out all that they are. It has allowed me to lite a spark that has been burning for a very long, long time. And this light has developed into a blazing display of contentment, joy and happiness. Knowing and feeling all of your support with me has given me a new sense of dedication. My hope has expanded and has taken on a new meaning. Because without any of you, I am truly nothing!
The disabled community has a special love for each other, a deep connection and link to a kinship which is un-breakable. A bond that will last until eterinty. This connection, which is based on knowing how much we have worked to achieve. These specific challenges may differ, but, we have seen the glory of the light, and, we know first hand how much we need God and each other to bring hope not only to each other, but to the world. As a great American play-write said, "Our task is to rise and continue."
In everything that we do, we remind ourselves and the world not to take anything for granted. We defy the all to common idea that nothing is worth a long term effort. I have seen a thousand types of struggle: to deal with discrimination, physical and mental pain, and the daily task of cleaning house, taking a shower, caring for my animals and hubby, and finding within, the courage to reject every limitation other people put on myself.
I hope, that reading this blog I have set up and written for all of you, has made your own struggles a little easier and your joy last a little long.
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Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 by admin
One of the thing I have always struggled with is the argument between the help I felt I needed, and that which "my helpers" were willing to give me. This was particularly true with my education. I have struggled for many years as you have heard me write about because I didn’t receive the help I truly needed. People either got to much or too little of what they "really" needed. Especially today, where there is very little concern for individual learning styles and needs.
Educator are too worried, anxious, and obsessed with target and memorization. Leaving out the most important concepts to build not only skill, and memorization, but self-confidence and self-esteem. Unfortunately, because I was not getting the help I needed, I had to find other sources and ways to thrive, learn, and retain. My educators, had little understanding of my potential.
Later, I had to fight for the right, to learn, and to go to college, to fill all the empty spots I had not learned in twelve years of education in the educational system. What is wrong with this picture? Today, the educational system has not gotten any better. So my dear readers, and friends, we must forge forward, stay motived, and educate ourselves though travel, reading, and conversation. However, there is far more to be learned.
I had learned a great deal from my own experience, and thoughts I worked with while doing adaptive aerobics and Yoga. The journey is not over my friends. Yet I think we are turning a corner. Every time I write on this blog I am learning from you, as you are from me. This computer is the greatest tool for interaction and learning this world has known.
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