Cerebral Palsy Party Day 8 : Brining out the Marshmellows

  So todays post is going to be long but it is  going to be helpful.

 The biggest  way that  my Cerebral Palsy affects me is speech.   I understand the world  around me but   when  I try to speak the words do not come out clear. My  arch nemesis is the evil  K.

 For a longtime  I could not say the /k/ sound among other sounds.   I have a /k/ sound in my name which  would lead me to mispronounce my name. So "cookie" sounded a lot like  "tootie".

  A  great way  for others to understand  whats its like  for me to talk is to take marshmallows and  without swallowing them  try to talk.  For  preschool and kindergaten kids.    Have them  sing a song that they know like   Old McDonald had a farm while having marshmallows in there mouth.



  If they are  older you can take it a step forward.


 Steps
1 Line up outside the door.
2  one by one enter the  classroom and  given a card with a single word.
3  Sit  down  quietly  Don't  Talk
4 once  everyone has a word  hand out marshmallows  try to  have students rearrange  themselves in ABC  order with these rules.

       They  can not use hand gestures.
       they  can only say there word that is on their flashcard aka no sentences.
         They can swallow there marshmallows
  Explain that this is what  some people with CP experience everyday. The  pain the frustration the inability to communicate 

  I  did  the ABC order  activity in a linguistics  class.   The students learned a ton.  One told me that  if she  ever has students, she wants to be an elementary school  teacher,  with a  speech impairment they are going to bring out the marshmallows.

 got  images  from

 letter K
https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-ash3/50271_239794985914_7024254_n.jpg
 marshmallows
http://www.farmersalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Marshmallows-thumb-420x240.jpg

Cerebral Palsy Party Day 7: Childhood Home

   

       So  now that I  aged out my  EI  program it was time to  move. We  moved into the house we now live in, so  all of my memories are in this house. Moving also ment that I had to move preschools, but  I would have had to move schools anyway because  EI is  birth to three  and  preschool  is  from  3 to 5.   I went to a  pre school program for  children with speech  delays.   I have found memories of  pre school.  My  teacher was  great  she was able to get me to talk in full  sentences.  

          I love my house it nice and has a big backyard, more on this later,  The one thing I did not like about  our house is that  there is not  a lot  nearby.   It makes it  really hard  especially
  since I do not drive.
 

 Tip for people who  have kids and are looking for  a home


MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE THINGS TO WALK TO, ITS SO IMPORTANT  THAT KIDS ARE GIVEN  FREEDOM AS THEY GET OLDER.

  

Cerebral Palsy Party Day 6 : Learning to talk

      Hay  guys  today  photos will be from  one  of my last days  in  EI.  Early  Intervention,   These  guys were great because they  taught  me everything I needed to know  before  preschool.   A funny thing is that despite my CP,  I graduated from  PT  as a toddler    I would  go  on to play neighborhood sports,  more on that later.   Early Intervention   taught me and my family sign language  so  I could communicate as my speech was  hard to understand.   Back  then   there was no  Signing  Time  so   I had  to  learn  by a teacher.  She  even    came to my house to tutor  me .  How cool was that

   My  family minus my  big  brother 

 I loved  Sesame Street 

 I am  so thankful that my  parents  worked so  hard   to get me to communicate    It  was key to  unlocking my potential.  I have  come a long way from using  sign language to express  myself.   Now   my  parents  and siblings  wonder  if  I will ever   be  quite.   I am  always  getting myself  in trouble at school  for  talking to much.    This is probly because   of  my  NLD, more on that later.

Cerbral Palsy Party Day 5:Becoming a big sister

   So to end out the week  I am going to be posting some pics from  when book girl was a baby.  I   was two almost three.  My  parents  wanted  to have more kids so that I would have teachers.  They were right about the whole   teacher part  but what they did not realize  was that I would end up teaching them as well.   I  asked book girl what she has learned from me and she said that I have taught her patience and not to judge a book by its cover.  She  has taught  me   about asserting myself  along with how to juice

   Don't  cry  book  gal  its me AZ 

     AZ  watches over a sleeping book girl

Aww

  Have a  great weekend guys.  I am  going to a conference Friday and Saturday that I will blog about.    Be sure to come back  monday  for  more pictures.

Cerebral Palsy Party Day 4: Team AZ

         

Today   is actually my  half  birthday.  So today's photo will be of my first b day.   I  had a great party,  I do not  remember  my first memory   comes about  preschool.   My  dad took some video  at the party and I have seen it.  I was  surrounded by family  and   friends.

 First  birthday loot

I  do  tend  to make connections with others.  It takes a  village  and  I  am  the  mayor.  I  actively recruit others  to be  a part of  Team  AZ.  Over the years   it has  include  family  friends teachers    my childhood OT& PT and  my  good  ST's .     My current team  incudes my  family,   A  bunch  of  people  at  my  jc, coaches  from Special  Olympics, and my  Facebook friends  and blog  readers .   I hope  everyone   has  enjoyed  being on team AZ  because  I have  enjoyed  having  all of you in my conner.

Cerebral Palsy Party 2014 Day 3: Finally home

   I went home  finally  and was able to  start living  life  in a family.   I did not  meet all my  milestones  on time but I  was  still  a  very  cute baby.   I  went to  early  intervention  to help  me  reach my milestones.    Things like walking talking siting  standing  took  me a lot longer.  

 I  think  I  was  three months old   here 

  I  am  rockin that  sweater.  My  mom    dressed me in super cute clothes
  

      This photo  was taken shortly before I  turned  one.  We were in Texas visiting family.  I also  went to Maui  in my first year. I was  quite the traveler

Because it  took me a lot of  blood sweat and tears, I  take offense to  people saying that babies learn through  osmosis.  That  is not how  I  learned, nor the  800,000 of  others living with  Cerebral  Palsy.   If you  were to say that all babies  are  cute  but AZ  was  super  cute  I would  have   to agree.  

PS:  today is   Spread the Word to  End the Word  so if you  have not pledge to  end  the use of the R word please   go  here  and  pledge.  I do not have an  intellectual disability  but I have  seen  first hand  how  powerful  words   can  be. So  please  pledge to  respect   everyone. 

    

Cerebral Palsy Party 2014 Day 2: In the Hospital

 Day  two

                 Today's  photos  will be    from the  hospital.  I was  born  prematurely and had to spend   a couple of  days in the hospital.   As  a infant I  had  trouble  sucking.  Initially , I  had to have a  tube   put  through my mouth  into my stomach.  Eventually  I learned how to  eat and was able  to  go home but my  parents  have  told me that   feedings took a long time.

   My  mom  loved  me  right  from the start 

 Sleeping Beauty 

Today  I am  really  tall and love to  eat and  drink.   My  diet  is  pretty  restrictive  but that is choice   not  CP.


  Things  I love to  eat

   pancakes

 Mac n  cheese

  Sandwhiches
     PB&J
     Turkey
      Meatball  and  Turkey
        Egg  Salad

Pizza

  Cheeseburger ( especially  from  In N  Out.

 Spaghetti and  Meat balls

  Pesto  pasta
   
Drinks  I like
  milk
  orange  juice
   Orange Soda
 Sprite
' Fruit  Punch

      Yeah   I   know  I need  to  make better food choices.  I  do like    berries  though.  you  got to start somewhere.

  Until  Tomorrow

Cerebral Palsy Party 2014 Day 1: The Beginning

           So  its   that time of year  again.   Its the  third  month  of the year  which  means   its  time  to  GO  Green  to  celebrate  Cerebral  Palsy.    This  is  the  lead up to  March  25 which is  National Cerebral Palsy   Day  in  March for people  in the  United  States .



  I  thought  it would be soo fun  to post  pictures   from   yesteryear  every   week  day  this month along with some  guest  posts  from  people that have known me thoughout   the years  to   really show  you   what having CP  is  really like.  Its  going to be  fun.  Somedays will be   a photo  while others  will be  multiple.   Its  going to be  awesome.      I can not wait.   Before  we get to the  photos  here are somethings you can do   to support  CP  Awareness Month.


 Online
Switch  your  Facebook  profile pictures to one of these.
  Follow  AZ Chapman  on Facebook link  on  the left .

  Leave a comment  on this blog  and come  back   all this month.

   Offline  
Get    this shirt for  March  25.  You  need  to  order one  of these   this week.
  Tell a friend about this  blog and CP.
    Stick around for more activities  that you can do with others to show them what CP  is like.


So  without futher  ado  here we  go.



      Why  not start at the very  beginning .  According to   The  Sound of  Music  its a   very good  place to start :)
  These  photos  are  from  the  day  I was  born.

         September 6, 1991 

  The Day I  was  born 

   One of the first  photos  I have of myself.  I was a cute baby 

  My  dad,  my big  brother (  age seven)  and  me

     

Able to go to College - Episode 18 : The End of the Year

    After     two  years,  this is the last episode of able to go to college.  you  got to  go  out with a bang  so  this   episode  is really  long.  If  you have   7  mintues   pull up a chair and something to  drink  and hit play,

         


 The  main  reason that I  made  Able to go to College was  back in high school I  was so scared of  college.   I thought college was this big  abyss   and  I knew that I was no where near ready to go. I was  wrong.


    Yeah   College is different than High school  no  doubt about that but  it  not   a scary place.    I  will be honest though  college  poses  new challenges  to students with disabilities.  There are no IEP that  ensure an individualized education, but there is still  help,  The key is  to find the right people.  I  feel  so  blessed  to have been  lucky  enough to  attend my community college.  There  program  is phenomenal   They  did everything in there   power  to make  me successful.  They advocated  for me  and   I  felt that   they   truly  valued   me.


  Were there instances  where  I  felt discriminated against?  Yes.  There  were also processes set up for me to   voice my concerns.  I got along with most professors, in fact  one of them ,Prof D, I  joking call my body gaurd.  Its a   inside  joke  between the two of us,

  Prof D  and  AZ   Summer 2013 

     If you are  reading this and   have a disabilities and want to go to college but may be a little scared.  Don't  be.   Surrond yourself  with  a  group of people that believe in you.   Do not let anyone tell you what  you have to do  when your adult( esp  if  they are not  part of your family).  Never  give up  and  always  Follow your  dreams.      Because you  only have  one life to live.



  Have  questions  feel  free to   ask in the comments or email me

 azchapman1991@gmail.com

Able to go to College - Episode 17 : Shoulder Hiker

 On this episode  my bio class takes  a fieldtrip.  Its a great  trip  that is a lot of fun.   Unfotunatly   I ran soo fast that I fell in the 100  meter dash.  You  might remeber  me mentioning it here.   That was not my  finest moment.  The  important thing is that  I   got up and  kept on running.


      On the hike  I  was kinda nervous but  once I commited myslef to  going on the trip  I  did fine.   Just like  in college.   If  I am   ready to do something I  will do  a great job.



 The    final  episode will be  posted   tomorrow.  You do not want to miss it

Able to go to College - Episode 16: Party time

      There are only two more videos after this one !!!   The last one is  so special  you  do not want to  miss  it.



           So  now  its   part time at  DSPS.  I  know  I have said this a thousand  time  over but   this campus  has a  great disabilities  program.  They  have a whole team of people that  work  hard  to make sure that  I, along with any other students  who have  disabilities succeed.    They have audiobooks  computer programs and  more all with the purpose of helping  students succeed.   There program is  so  good.   They  took me in with all my behavior problems  and    improved my self esteem   Actually going to this college really improved my  self esteem.  I was able to make  Dean's List  and  graduated  with honors.    Not bad  for someone who  was terrified of  going to college.    I learned the  hard way that not all  university are supportive of students with disabilities, which  makes me  appreciate  this  college even more


 One  of the   best ways they  help people  with disabilities   this  is by  hosting  parties,  like the one you see  in the video.  I  remember attending  one of these  parties when  I  first started college  in  the fall of 2010.  Back then  I was  so scared about  attending university  but seeing other disabled students made me feel  less alone.


 This  school  has  been the most inclusive school  I have ever   attended

  Better  than

   pre school

  private elementary  school  (Pre -K -1st)

 public elementary school  (2ed -  5th grade)

  public  middle school     6th -8th grade

  Public  high school  (9th-12th) grade


  Its  my seconed  home.  Even though  I graduated  in  May  I always go   there to visit.   I love it  that  much.

Able to go to College - Episode 15 : Stage and No Sleep

       

   On this  Episode  I  get an award for receiving the  Echo  Smart Pen.  I   remember this day  it was a fun day  because I was being  recognized  for something good.  The  Smart  Pen  really  helps  me out in college.  Its a great  learning tool  for   students  with disabilities.

    Also  on this episode  I got no  sleep  because  I had to pull an all nighter   It was  well worth it though because  I  ended up getting  a hundred  percent on  the  bumble  bee  project.    Yeah   the bumble   bee  project  isn't  just about   looking for  honey  bees   we had  to  compile  a  report siting our findings.    This  teacher and I  are still  in contact.  He  gave  me a  great letter of recommendation 

Dear Pete Schiff,

 My  family  has a weekday   night time tradition watching the  Daly Show  and  the  Colbere   Report.    Due to the   State of the  Union  Adress  it was not  on  when  I went down  stairs.
  So I was dishearten   when  I   saw the following clip .


    I  really  hated  the last  part.  It felt like  I  was being  punched  in the gut.    You  see  I am 22 years old  and  live  with a developmental disability.     I have  Cerebral  Palsy.

  No  I  do not have  a  intellectual  disability that is  the  proper  term  now  not  the  R  word .  Although  if you met  me    you might think that I do  because  I have a speech  impairment  and  drool  at  times.   But  it  still  hurts  what   Pete  said.     I do not  respect  him   enough to  use his  last  name.

      In  the spring of  2009   I had a school  meeting  at which  time  a  job  coach  sat  across the  table  from  me and my  mother and  recommend  that I    work at Safeway,  most likely  working  for  pennies a  hour, and live in   a group home.   He  had said this    despite the  fact that I was in my second semester of   Advanced  Placement    United States  History,  which  I  ended up   passing the AP  test  with  a three.    I was a junior at the time, so  when senior  year rolled around  I  was scared  of    leaving  high school.   Can  you  blame  me?    I did not  want  to  do it and I  assumed that  the  job coach was right because he  worked in the field and knew me.  Senior year   I  had to work   one of those jobs and I hated.  I  got a pay check   but was   unaware of the  low  wages.     To this day I am scared  of working a  entry  level  job.      Its not  fair .  I  want to  get   off  social  security,  you see that is where the money comes from   but its hardly enough to live off of.


        After   high school,   I  decided to  attend  a  community  college and  I  excelled in those classes. I  got  good  grades.  I  got so many that when  I   graduated  I was able to graduate with honors.   Thats  right a  person  who  was   predicted  to  work  for   pennies  a hour   went on to graduate with honors.   I am not  worthless.  I  attend   university  where  people   did not   respect    me and    am  currently on a leave of absence to  care of my health.


 The  world  is not set up for  people with disabilities.       Colleges  do not  know how  to  included  those with developmental  disabilities and  thanks  to the loophole in  the Fair  Employment Act    the jobs  that  societies  expect us to do barely  pay  us  anything.   Disabled  people have  feelings  and   we want   to  be include  in life.      We can  be  tax  payers,  some  people   may need help  paying  taxes but they  can  still  pay   them.  We  do not need   to be  dependent on the    government.


  Oh   and  our  founding  fathers   said  this  about  people.


   "  We  all  hold  these  truths to be self  eve dent that all  men  are created  equal."   Ring a  bell.   If not  look  in the Declaration  of  Independence and  maybe then you will  find a  heart

Able to go to College - Episode 14 : Bus Basics

  So this weeks  episode is all about taking the bus.    One  of the hardest things about     leaving high school for me was a fear of  taking the bus.  I thought I was not ready to  take pubic transit and  I was not  too trilled about  taking   para transit.   I eventually  got on the bus  and  have not looked back  sense.  At this time  I do not drive so  taking the bus  is my token to independence when  my parents or siblings are not home.


  Speaking  about tokens

             Around here there are a lot of  different options for paying  a fair.     You can pay  two  dollars a  trip, in cash or  coins.  You can use  a  token, which  you can see  in the video, or you could  use  a card that  acts like a  credit card.  I use  tokens  to   take the bus,  they are quick and  easy or  when   I can not find them  I  use dollars.



  Thanks   Ms. Parks
 

Thanks  to  Rosa  Parks     I can  sit anywhere on the bus.    That is  true  but for some  reason  the bus's  disability  seats,  which  i  sometimes  sit in but not always,   are in the front.  The first day of university   I met a guy with Spina Bifida  on  the bus who  just happend to be  a  big  Nintendo  fan.   We have  been  pals  ever  since







 got  images  from


  Tokens
http://nationalticket.com/siteimages/Tokens.jpg


   Rosa  Parks
http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/djj/Technologykp/Blackhistoryweb/BlackHistory/rosa.jpg

Able to go to college : Episode 13 : An Earthly prize

       


 Talk about a  Jam   packed  week .    This week on  Able to go to college I   get   to go a out of class  lab for  biology and I  get  to receive my very own  smart pen,


         Back  in   January.  I  had  completed enough  units  to  get a Smart  Pen.  If you remember  from the best way to go to school.  You  may  remember that I  used a smart pen in college  but can not  take it home. All that  changes  now that I  am the owner of the Smart  Pen.


          I want to give a  huge shout out to the  people  at  my  school   they  have a wonderful   DSPS  program  complete with  consulars  staff  and assistive technology  ,     These  wonderful  indiviuals   value    educating those with disabilities .  They   believe in using  proper  accommodations ,  like   quiet  testing  spaces to  make  sure that  people with disabilities   can  use their abilities  and continue their  education.   Everyone is  supper friendly and understanding. They  believed me  and   helped me  believe in myself   .


        They  professors  who  are not in DSPs,   take  cues  from the DSPS people  and    most are  very  nice.     I  wish  my   JC   was an univeristy   because  then  I  would not have any  problems.

Able to go to college episode 12: Bee's Law

             I think its  pretty  funney   don't  you.  Anyway  guys  I am  on the last half   of  Able to go  to college  videos.    Check back  tomorrow for more videos.     Sorry  it has taken a long time  that was not my intention.  Tomorrow  is a  special  episode you do not want to miss.

Able to go to College Spring Break 2012

 That was a fun trip.  I have not seen  Coach  L   since then.   I hope   I  can  see  her soon.

Able to go to College : Episode Eleven : Health Fair

           



           


   So  I went to the  Animal Fair.   Ok  so not  really but  this week  their was a health fair at  my school,  it was  in  2012  I am still trying to catch up on  this web series.  These were   great events because you got to  get information  about health and  get prizes,  or in  this case  burritos one of my favorite foods .    I  enjoyed going to the health fair.


Come   Back  tomorrow  for  My  Spring Break   trip to San Diego 



   Preview it will  be slimy




 What does  that mean  you will have to come  back  on  Thursday to find out.

Everyone is Norm

   Hay guys  today  is the  relaunch of  the   I am  Norm  website  to celebrate the   re launch of the website.  I am delighted to be a part  of this  wonderful  organization.   I am  norm  is  a youth  run  inclusion campaign    I have been working with them  all four years  all online.  They  do not mind  that I have never flown  they  accept  me  and  include  me and  tell  me  that I  too     am  Norm.    I  feel so blessed to work with such caring  people. 


 To  see the  new  website  click here.

Able to go to College: Episode ten : The best way to go to school

     









Going to school with  my dog is the best way to go to school. I mean   Zoe is really cute   and  soft.  
  Anyway  about the smart  pen.

  The Smart Pen  is a  pen with a tiny recording device that allows people to tape record  what anyone is saying.  It is  a helpful tool for  people with  disabilities.     The best part is  if you do not  write everything down and  miss something you do not have to listen to  the whole thing over again.   The only drag  is    that  at this point  I could not  take the pen home because it  belong to the school.  To learn more about  the smart  pen  click  here.

Saying good bye to a difficult year

 This year has been one of the hardest  years  of my life.  I have lost  two grandpas in addition to meeting people with ablest  attitude aka college professors.  The past couple of months have  been especially  hard  so I am sorry  that  I have not had a chance to blog. I hope to keep writing stuff in   the New Year.

       January :My parents go to  Obama's inauguration.    I help build a roller coster with C and  R.       I  meet   Prof D  and he guides me through  the  Adventures  of Huckleberry Finn.  I also had a situation with the cheese burgers.


 February    I  got new  glasses   and  was team  ghost busters  for Turn of the screw.  My parents went to  AZ  for spring training My father's dream  come  true.

March . I met up with  Steve Wampler again   and  watched his  documentary about climbing El Captain    The cougars bring home  the gold in   2013 Basketball championship.


April     My  family  gets a new car. Tragedy strikes the  special  needs blogging community when Gavin  passes away suddenly.   Aunt  L  gives me a new hair style

May I graduate CC  and get accepted into   university.

 June  
Princess finishes up her freshman  year of college.   My  dad's dad  passed away suddenly in his sleep.   We celebrate fathers day  at my mom's  sister's house.

 July
I celebrate the  forth of July and learn about an emperor  who might have had Cerebral Palsy.  My  mom's  dad   is told that he is  sick.  My cousin has another baby.

August
 I   say the pledge of allegiance and  earn another  gold medal in golf  and  receive the best medal  ever   begin  university.

 September
  I got a personalized orange back pack for my 22  birthday.

 October
    I am a world CP  Champion .  I   make  a Super  Hero  World CP day.   My mom  takes me to see  the Wizard of   Oz.   Its a fun night but the mood turns to sadness  when a later that month    my mom's dad  had a stroke    and  died.

November
    I had  to say goodbye to my  grandfather at his funeral.  I  attend  the ability expo and see demos of  wheelchair sports and  a  super  cool new wheelchair.   My  cousins and  I took awesome fall photos  for thanksgiving

December
  I get  to  see   Dan  Habib's new film.
 We  get new carpet.  I  got to  go to see my first NBA  game on Christmass  and   hang out with   C and R .  My  parents are in  Mexico  and  I can not wait to see  them in the new  year.










   It  is bittet sweet  to say  goodbye to this year because of all the deaths that have happend  in my family.    But  I  know that   the memories  of my grandfathers  and  Gavin  will continue   in  the  new year and beyond.

  Note:   Sorry I have not  posted more on here I  am plaining to   work on the  rest of the Able to go to college  posts and should have those up  starting in january . I have finished all of them   I  just have not got a chance to upload  them all.   I also  owe you  guys more  post.  Hopefully I will  have time in 2014. 

 Happy   New  Year  Everyone.    

When Universities are not inclusive

  So  last post  did not get any  comments but I  did  post a question.  

 The  inaccessible
 staircase
 that leads to campus.  I do not  take this
 often.
 I  go  where the cars
go.

        My  university is completely inaccessible.  Walking  up to  the  campus  from  the street,  I   take the bus  because I live at home with my parents,  You  are met with a wooden   staircase.    You  know the  wood  that cause  you to have  splinters if  you  need to  use the rail due to  compormised   balance.       
  There  are only two people that I have seen  that use  wheelchairs  and  I am not surprised because there is  one  building  that holds classes    does not have a elevator.


 Why  am  I  telling you this , well this is the scene  of my college  and their  view of  disabled  people.   This  is where  I have been attending for the  past  week and although I   do not need an elevator   I still have a major  disability.  I  have CP   NLD and  OCD.

   *  I have had  teachers  that do not  get it. 

*  I had a professor   make jokes about my  hats and then  when  I explain  the fact that I can not do  my hair because of  Cerebral  Palsy.   He says  whatever

 A sad day at school.    This was taken  in the
 beginning of October
:however things never improved  they got worse

 *  I have  had an  Linguistic teacher   say  blanket statements    such as  " Everyone learns  language without direct instruction,  which   invalidates   my experience,

*   I have  had a professor    defend  the use of  the word  cripple.  She  is not  a  crip   thats  my  word to defend.

*  I have had a  professor  use the R word and  then   scold  me  when   I  bring  it to his attention.

*  I have had a professor   not  understand  why   reading   Beowulf  and  Canterbury  Tails   ( Click on  each one to hear  how its pronounced )  out loud    seem  like cruel and  unusual  punishment   for someone who  struggles to speak  modarn    english.

 *   I  have had   a professor   force me to take a test that I was not  prepared  for.


 The last  one  was the  straw that broke   my  back.  i have  no  intention  of  going back this semester     Its   gotten  too the point where I do not want to  be a teacher anymore.    




 So what  happens  when  schools   are not inculsive  

    One of the few fun times that   I  had  in University was
 an activity  on campus.   

 " IT MAKES  DISABLED  STUDENTS  FEEL  LIKE THEY ARE AFTERTHOUGHTS.   IT MAKES US  GIVE UP ON OURSELVES AND   LIVE UP  TO SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS,   IE SHELTER  WORKSHOPS,    IT  MAKES US  DEPRESSED AND UNSURE OF  OUR  FUTURE." 

Inclusive Schools week 2013 : A Question

 If  I knew what I know  now.   I do not  think  I be smiling for the camera .

             According to my parents, who are both physicians    College is the key to a good life.  You need college to have a great job.  I   believe this  and have a lot more to say; however  its 11:25  I have class at  12:30  which  means that   I have  to leave but  before i do  I want to leave you with this thought.


" If college is  supposed   to be the key to   a successful adult life .  Who is that  key ment for?  Is it  ment  for  everyone  who  wishes  for a  good life. Is it ment for   people who  fit the mold  of   a college student.   How about  students who  have physical and  mental  health issues.  Is college ment  for them."   

An Update on Henry

     Remember this   amazing young man.

    No  well  maybe  this will spur  your memory.  






 Here is  his  update.      Watch it til the end its  worth it.   He also  got an  Award from ASAN.  











  Keep up the good   work  Henry.  Still want to meet you one day

Its been a while

   Hay  guys  so   I  know  I have not been around    recently.    Its because   I have been dealing with  mental health issues/ depression in addition  to another loss in the family ,  My mom's dad    pasted away  the last saturday of  october.  So its been  hard.   Hope to blog more soon.

Dear Public Schools,

   Dear  Public Schools,


  You  know when  you have school wide events,  and  the school  website  .  All  the kids  need to be represented.   That   means   every type of  learner  needs to be represented  at the school.   If you have  school  wide   pajama  party  or a  Science fair  or  walk a jog .  All kids  need to be represented.  Including those  kids in those  classrooms.  You  know the ones  who  for no fault of your own have special  needs.   Let me tell you a secret.

  Those    kids have names

 Those  kids   enjoy  having fun.

 Az, a student who has special needs goes down a bouncy slide  on her  Senior Activity Day.     

 Those kids want to belong to the school community

 So  next time  u have an event   Please make sure they know.   please  make sure they are invited.  If you  happend to take pictures of  said  event   please make sure you capture their smilies to  post on the website.   They    have  the same rights  as the  average students.

 Sincerely

 AZ
 ( a  student who   is friends  with  students in the Special Education  classes. and has  disabilities)

 AZ graduated  community college with honors and a  degree in Social Sciences 

Got  pic from http://prek-8.com/holiday/backtoschool/images/backtoschool_nametag1.jpg

World CP Day 2013

  Hay  guys  so today  is  World CP Day  and this year its  special because I am a champion for  CP day.     Today is the day to  wear  green and  talk about the abilities of people who live with CP.  The  video  this  year is  a very  unique one because it shows the great  abilities that  people with Cerebral Palsy  have.  I want to thank everyone for sharing their photos with me.    It was so fun to be able to see all  of the people with CP and learn about their abilities. Thankyou.

  I also want to thank  Kate  for letting me   honor  her son Gavin.   For those of you who do not  know the story.  Gavin    passed  away this past  April at five and a half years old .  His  family   called him  their super hero.   For more information please visit Kate's  blog  to learn more about Gavin and his amazing family.


   Hope  you enjoy the video



 Rest in  peace  Gavin

 Have a great day everyone and remember to wear  green.


 Ps.   Sorry if there are spelling mistakes.