Color me orange

  So  wondering about the hat in this pic 

 Well     it is  part of my  Halloween Costume 

 I am a orange crayon 

  I even was able to get my dog involved in the picture

  

 Happy  Halloween guys. Off to crave a   pumpkin. 

E:60 - Sacrifice

   

love  this story

Giants and other stuff

  Hay  guys sorry  for the lack of  text  I have a big  paper due on  friday    so  i  am  tying to  finish that in fact that is what   I need to be doing but I have two   ideas for posts   that will be coming  up    next week sometime.


   but   I  will leave u  with a pic of  me   after the giants won  the world series last night. Wonder where I  got that  hat from? well  stay   toon

Neil Poppin Award Winner 2012- Barbara Aden

       

 I had a great time playing with Barbra today we took third

Sesame Street: Katy's Growing

 This was on when i was younger   at the  time  I did not  know anything was different about  Katie.   That is why sesame street is such a good  show       thanks sesame street

Halloween 1991

 This is a  repost  from  my old blog 




My first halloween I was a pumpkin. I was the not the only one who wore this costume. My two sisters were pumpkins there first halloweens as well. I  think my mom reused it because it was  a cute costume
  ( It was pretty big on me)

(I am a few days shy of being 2 months)

Who is this  guy  holding me never mind it is just my dad 

(Me and my Mom. Do you see  the yellow and red thing behind

 the couch just above my mom's shoulder? 

That was a reaching thing.

 It  was sesame street  theme.

 Book gal and princess used that   as well.)

President Obama Engages with Youth with Disabilities

Goo B

   I  actually know   Barbara she is on the same special olympics  site as  I am  for many sports. She  awesome  and   is really  nice. I was so happy to see  her pic in the   papper  enjoy the moment Barbara  you  deserve it 

 to  read more click here 

AZ says

As a person with a disability I would rather learn something at school and be board and serious then have fun and not learn anything. I think all kids given a coice would chose this. You attend school to LEARN not to have fun

You do not need to be a kid to have fun

          So     like  I  said earlier  I went to the  Science fair at my school  on saturday.      It was a family  fun day.  I was  really  looking forward  to  the hands on activities, the only problem was that they  were geared  for kids.    Now originally I was supposed to  go  with  LM  but that did not work out soo  I went with my mom.     My favorite  room   was the Chemistry  room where I learned about polymers.   One of the   stations was  making bouncy balls.  It looked like a lot of fun only the average age  was    elementary school  age and it was crowded.  My  mom  told me to do something else,  We left the  room  but I came  back to  make  a bouncy  ball  when my mom was in the  planetarium show.

    fireworks  on the frouth   Summer 2012

        The  moral  to   this story  is   that   adults can  have fun  to.  I am  21  but    I still like mario   Sora  Riku  from the  Kingdom Hearts Series.  I  love   hands on stuff, despite not having   good fine motor control.   I want to  carve a  pumpkin  this fall  and  over the summer I wanted to light  fireworks on 4th  of July .    The  thing is for me I wish that people  were able to shat dissipate  this  I am  still smart and   enjoy   discussing  politics and  all the  other things that come with  being 21.    


 When  Finding  Nemo was  in  3D   last month, I  went  twice and  you  know what  when there was a    couple   around  my  age, or older,  that was there and  when  I  told  my classmates   in  American Literature  class about  my   time with  Nemo they said that they  wanted  to go  as  well.  Now  I do not think  this  girl  has a disability  and  really    having  fun  as  an adult  should not require a disability.    Yeah  I know that  their  are parties and other stuff that  most  young adults like  but you know what    right now  that is not my idea of fun.   I would rather  play  mario  or  go to Disneyland  and  you know what its fun  and  thats  what  really counts. 

movie time sunday

Science day

 
   Today   I went to my college's science festival.   more details  coming soon

Another Question answered

  Ellen  from   Love that max asks  me what inspires me 

 the answer is  reading about  inclusive  success stories and people  overcoming  obstacles    that is what inspires  me  

  What inspires  you    leave  your comment here.  Also if you ask a question I will answer it   next friday 

Why I stand with Henry

         Soo  if you are on facebook   and into the disability u might of heard of a  kid named Henry.  Henry  lives in florida  and  is being home school by  force. The  reason is  he  can not go  to  the local junior high because he has some  disabilities.

  The school does not have a right  to   keep him  away  from  his neighborhood school.  People  say that  that   he  needs to  take a test to prove that he can   go to school.  I  find this funny because  no one else  has  to   take a test  to go to  public school.   Its a  public school   not a private school.    Why  force him to take a test  this is not right  education is all about learning and all  humans  can  learn.  

  I could say wow   I am so  glad that I do not live in florida  except This could have taken place  where  I live because  schools around here are not that  inclusive in fact I know the only reason that I was able to go to  public school was tthat   I did not have an intellectual disability.  I have  CP My    In fact there is  a private school that is inclusive in our area. Thats  right there is a private school  that does what  the public schools  should be doing.  

  I stand with  Henry  because I  know the benefits of attending the  neighbor school amongst peers.  I stand  with  Henry  because  I  know that he deserves  the same high exceptions  as his class mates.  I  stand with  Henry because  I know  that he will need to interact in a world where there are people without disabilities.  I stand with  Henry because   he deves a chance to  achieve his dreams. I stand with  Henry because     he should have  the chance to be involved  in after school activities and  dances  if he  wants  to.  I stand with  Henry because I know that good education   allow him to  have a rich and full life.

        Henry  if  you ever  read this  I want you  to know how much  I admire  your determination to  forge ahead,  Never give in.  I  have heard from some parents around here  find it hard   to pave the wat in terms of inclusion.  Never give  in.   Never take those   tests. You sshould not need to  fight .       I hope  I can meet you one day

Jeff & Mister Rogers

Able to go to College episode six: Breakfast the most important meal of the day

 


 On this epsode   I   get  to have a tasty  pancake  at school.   One  of the perks  of college is  that there is  great food in a cafeteria.      College  has been  the first time  where  I have eaten in a cafeteria  at my  school.   At my school  we have tons  of  food  to chose from including a breakfast  and lunch .    You  could  get a burrito on  monday  and a  pizza  on tuesday its nice to  have verity  about what   you  eat.  Now  its  not the  best  food  but its  quick and  yummy.



  Just for  fun  some things that I  enjoyed eating via the  school cafeteria

1 Pancakes
2 Burritos
3   Cheese burger
4  Spegheatti  and  Meatballs
5   Sushi
6  Macaroni    and cheese  ( special)
 7 Personal Pizza
8  Turkey sandwich
9  banana nut  bread
10 Blueberry  muffin

Thanks Zoe

    New video    coming soon  but  I had to share  what my dog did.

 Me and my dog summer 2012

 So, after class today after lunch   my dog  wanted to go out in the backyard,   so  I opened the door. She did not want   to go  alone( Zoe is a very spoiled doggie)  So  I    go  with her (told u she  was  spoiled) she then   finds a  tennis ball to give to me we then  played a  nice game of  fetch.   Thanks  dog for getting me outside  today  on a beautiful sunny  day.  

More able to go to college videos

 are coming soon

 to get  ready click here  to  read and watch  previous one

Inclusion: A Special Education Dilemma part 1of 4

a question answered

 This is from  Michelle  who is    hosting 31 for 21 this month


  What are  my strengths in school

  Well to be specific  I am now in college but I degress   I am a big auditory learner. I  remember  most of what people say which is helpful  in  during lecture .  I also have a great memory.   My english  professor  now  has   my  blog adress so maybe she will chime in.


  TUNE IN  NEXT WEEK  THERE WILL BE SOME COOL  POSTS  SO BE SURE TO STICK AROUND 

 IF  YOU  HAVE A QUESTION  ASK ME  AND I WILL ANWSER IT    NEXT FRIDAY

Last day

 to ask me questions about    me   right  now  I  only  have one  would  like more   got any?

Post for today

    http://prestongannaway.com/#/multimedia/chosen-ones

 great   story

Adults with Intellectual disabilities can be parents?

   This  movie  is great  I saw it on youtube ( has  since  been  taken down)   I want to be a mom one day  so parents  with disabilities give me  a lot of hope   that  I can.


 To  read about this  family  click  here ( this was originally published  in 9-91  shortly after I was born)

Another good movie gets ruined

  So today I went with my dad and  brother  to see trouble with a curve.  It was a good  movie   wait let me  repress that  it  was  almost a  good  movie but then someone  used the R word   and  it was not a teachable  moment.     I think this   is  the second movie this  year that has  used it when will hollywood  ever lean.     Why do people seem to   think that its  still ok to use the r word.  I know  a lot of  people with  intellectual disabilities and that word hurts.  It  isn't ok.      What harm will a  harmless movie do  you ask  well     people  see it  and think its  ok.  It  isn't OK. Treat others the same  way  you like to be treated.     People with intellectual disabilities  have  feelings  and  they can  be hurt  by   saying  this word.  It is not  Ok.      I know  of  some little  guys with intellectual disabilities  who love  baseball  but  this  movie  will not  be good for them to see because of   a couple of lines of dialogue.

  got image f rom here http://www.publicimagesnetwork.org/Disable%20the%20Label/DISABLE_THE_LABEL-R-word_Hurts.jpg

21 things I want to do in life

 I am 21.  I  have my  whole life ahead of me .  Here are 21 things that I want to do   in my life    

 21things I want to do 
   1 go to dc 
2   vist new england 
3     coach  high school soccer team
  4  Be a mom  
5 date 
6  go on a zip line 
 7 Live in a place that snows 
8 make  true friends 
9 write a book
10   get   my  teaching  credential
11  graduate college.
12    go to an indoor waterpark
13 teach  high school students with  disabilities while allowing them  to  attend  general ed   academic classes
14  make a documentary
15 learn to drive 
 16  go  to an  NBA game
17 go  camping
18  adopt a kid with a disability  from  EE
19   meet   Tim Shriver 
20     try  surfing  
  21  visit all the   states 

  What are   21  things u  want to?


 ps did u  know   Down  Syndrome happemds when their are  three copies of the  21st chromosome

Yesterday was a bad day

      Most days   I  do not feel  bad about  disabilities  but there are times when I do.   Yesterday  was  one of those  day.

  It started out in class when I asked  someone to  join me  to study  and they said no.    Too make  matters worse   I am  trying to befriend this  guy  and I thought it was  going well , but then his  friend from high school  who hadn't been in class for a while  came back and I could see their  interaction and  realized  that we were  not  friends .


 Then  we  went to the  Oregon Standford  V ball game to  root for the ducks, by the  way  since  Princess  has  started  going there  my  parents have been turned into duck fans  I think they are   growing wings lol.     

 My  first soccer team  G U-6    So cute   

Watching the game it hit me that I play on special olympics,   and thus we do not have   nice uniforms and  for soccer, which  along with basketball and   golf are my favorite  sports. we only have  eight  practices.   We  practice  once a week for  two hours.  That is not a long time.    Regular sports  get  longer seasons.  It seems like   our  seassons   are getting shorter and shorter.    Its not fair.    We   will train for eight weeks and play a tourment  that consist of  two to three games and that's all.     I want more.  When  will Special Olympics  realize that   this  program is the only advenu for  people with disabilities  to play sports.    If  we only  have  eight weeks   couldn't we have  practice  twice a week  for two hours.   Once  week does not allow   athletes  too improve  right.   Just saying.    

Questions

Got any questions for me? will anser them next week

Disabled Democrat

   Disclaimer  before  I  begin .  I am a obama  supporter always have and  always will be. I  have  comment  moderation on  so think before you post.



 So  judging by the title  I am a democrat which means  that  I like Obama.  The best part is   this  is the first   election that I will  vote  in  so it is a big thing  for me.  Now   here is  what I thought of the   debate last night.

   Mitt Romney
 "My own view, by the way, is I've added to that. I happen to believe — I want the kids that are getting federal dollars from IDEA or — or Title I — these are disabled kids or — or poor kids or — or lower-income kids, rather. I want them to be able to go to the school of their choice. So all federal funds, instead of going to the — to the state or to the school district, I'd have go — if you will, follow the child and let the parent and the child decide where to send their — their — their student."

  Key 
    This  /   that  :is what i will    discuss



   Idea  or title one 

    Why  are  these  two  programs  lumped   together     IDEA  are disabled  kids     Title one is  low  income  kids.     Two  seprate   programs    not all disabled  kids are  title one  and  vice  vs.  Take me  I had  an  IEP  all throughout schooling and   both my parents are   DRs



       Kids  with disabilities  need to go to  neighborhood school. They  should not have to    chose  what program  is  better.    If the  kid is  five then  and there  is a elementary school  down the block then    they  should  go to the school down the block.  If same  student   is  15 then  they should go to the high school across the street.  We do not  need  a classes for disabled students  to spend  their  majority of their day.  All   schools   need  to be inclusive it should not be a fight  because  you  know  what   the message  is when  you isolate them is that    " they  can't learn"    they  need  to be taught    life skills. Its   baby sitting.  States  run their policies differently in  each state.  CA    is one of the worst.  We need all public schools  to be able to teach all    students,   this includes students with intellectual disabilities      this   guy   says  it best,

Dentist tips for people with CP

                     So   I have  been  going to the dentist  for a while  now.  As of  right  now,  I go to a pediatric dentist.  Its  pretty cool   u  can  play  videogames or  watch movies   while getting your teeth cleaned.  Its  a  great place to go  however  CP  makes  it  a  little  bit hard.   So  I thought  I  give you  guys   an insiders view of going to the dentist  With  CP.

  Disclaimer:  CP  effects  every  kid  differently  so  while  going to the dentist is  hard for me   it may not be hard for someone  with  CP whose mouth  is  not  effected.

 Now  I am  pretty  mobile   so    getting into the chair is not a big  deal  for me  but  i think  someone who  has more  mobily    challenges with CP  may need  help  getting into the dentist chair.


    Open   up

  Ok so  opening  up is  really  hard  for me because of  CP.  My  mussels  are  really tight  so   its  easier for me to keep my  jaw closed. Which  means talking and   opening up wide is  a challenge.  I also have  a bite  reflex which means I  may  bite  down  if  someone  puts something near my  mouth.

  A  solution

  a bite block_ I do not like using this

    Not having me keep my mouth open for a long period of time.  So when it comes to flossing my  teeth which I do not  do a lot   more in another post   The dentist may  floss a couple of teeth then  let me close  my mouth before reaping it.  As  I have gotten  older I have tried  to  keep my mouth open for long periods of time I can do it  but  it  takes a lot of effort.

  X-rays

X-rays are  really hard for me to do  so  sometimes I need to   go under  ( if I have a cavity)  so they  take them then




  So   parents  self advocates  how is the dentist for you  or your child.  Do you have any tips to share?








 photos from

http://www.picturesof.net/_images_300/A_Woman_Dentist_Examining_a_Woman_Patient_Royalty_Free_Clipart_Picture_090819-002470-733053.jpg

http://classroomclipart.com/images/gallery/Clipart/Dental/patient-dental-xray-exam.jpg

Jesse

 

 I wish  I could actually have the chance to meet Jesse .  He  has two  vary famous parents and lived  in  boston. That is right folcks Jesse is no longer on this earth.  He died  January  of  2005   in his sleep.  The book is  his life story told from the  perspective of his Mom (Marianne Cooper)


 Jesse  like me  had Cerebral Palsy and it was  peaty severe.  He had to use a wheelchair  , was non-verbel and had  terrible seizes   which  were the thing that ultimately killed  him.    For everything that Jesse  had going against him  he had lots going for him. He had  supportive  parents a normal intelligence  level and a wicked  sense of humor.  He  wrote poetry and   learned  Greek as a high schooner  and  was inclusive education for most of his schooling.  Through the book  readers will get a chance to know Jesse and  how  learn how  amazing  people with Cerebral Palsy are.  If you have not had a chance to read  this book   make sure  you get it. I  enjoyed  it so much and wish that  I could have meet him on this  earth.    It  was  really great  reading  Knowing  Jesse  and   I  hope you will  read it  soon.


  Jesse  was  in  the world CP  montage   that I made last month  for  world  CP day    (September 4)

Grab This Button

Get it down 31 for 21

 So  today  is the first    day of  October  meaning     its  Disability   Awareness  month. So  in order to celebrate  I  am doing a  31 for  21  in  which I will  blog  every day for  down  syndrome.    Which  will  include  more     Able to go to college  videos  along  with  summer photos.  

Grab This Button

  So why  I am  blogging   for DS  when  I have CP.


 Well  why not  I have    a disability  and  have lots of friends  with DS including LM who   you will hear  about   during the month.  He's  been   my friend  since  I was ten  and although  we do not get together  often  he  I enjoy the  time we  spend  together.      Lately     LM  me and his   "brother"  his  best friend  who also has  an extra chromosome  all hang out  together.


  So   are you  blogging for DS awareness month?   Any  fun stuff  planed  for this month  let me know.  If you are doing some  fun things and  take  photos    I would love to see them you can  post them to my  Facebook page or email   me at azchapman1991@gmail.com .        Who  knows you may  be asked   to write up something about   it to be featured (with your permission) on    the blog which shows the world that  All  people  with disabilities  have   more abilities then disabilities. 

  

Dear Princess : A disabled older sister's letter to her younger sister upon leaving the house

 Grad  party  June 2012

 Background
    For those of you that  have been  reading  a long time.  My  youngest sister and I do not  get along  that well so  it would  seem that when  she   left for college  I would not   feel soo  sad .

  Thats

 Not  

 True

 So today  my sister is  on a plane   heading for  Oregon  where she  will  be  attending college.  Her major is  undecitead  yet she is  ready to  take off.   Book gal and I will stay  behind   this year as  book gal  will be going to  a  JC  this year and I am  still  at  the same  JC  I was  last semester.






 Dear Princess.

 Halloween 1994   Big Bro ,Princess, Book Gal and  AZ

             As you  reading this you are in Oregon  your new home.  You may feel  happy and exicited   to  be branching out on your own.  I know  college is a big change from high school   just from my experience  but  this is  different     not only are you going to college   you are leaving  the house.   No  just  a house  our  house   our  home that we have shared for the last  18  years.   There is a old video  of us visiting the site  before moving into the house while you were still inside mom's belly.  Now  our house is  bulit  and   it has had many  renivations  done  over the years.  We  have added    hardwood floors  windows     a swing set    which has now been replaced with a swingset.   Theres  a small  garden and our beautiful  California hillside that is our  backyard  in  our small  part of the neighborhood.  Inside  you have moved rooms    the first room that you used to share with our  brother  is now  my  room, yet  I still  remember  your little white bed  the same bed that we  sat on  in this  halloween picture.   Rooms have changed the house  has changed  and grown  just  like you have changed from the baby     in the pumpkin picture   to  a  beautiful duck  who   now  loves the    Pretty Little  Liars.

     It seems  funny to think  that I  am  still here.  But a lot of things about me being the older sister have been funny.      Growing up with developmental disabilities is  hard  but   it must be harder for you  to be the  younger sister of  a  older sister with disabilities. You have  had to become elder, yet be younger then me by age.    You have had  to explain to other s why  I talk funny and     yell so loud  and am  prone to bouts of anxiety. I am sorry that you had to experience these things and become  afraid of my behavior at   times.  To be honest   I  was hoping that    we  would have a better relationship  before you left home, yet  I  know  I am hard to  deal with.  I want you to know that although I have not been the easyiest   sister  to  grow up alongside with  I   love you so much. I hope you enjoy  Oregon and have a great life  you are a special young lady who is  a great motherly figure to your  younger friends.    You are  ready  to be an adult.   I need some time  but  I will  get there.  I love you soooooooo  much.

 much love,

AZ
.

AZ  Big Bro and princess 1994

Birthday Blues

  So  today is my 21st  b day.  I live in the US which  means that at 21  I could go to  a bar  and  get achole  and   maybe a little  tipsy

  But because I have no friends   it  makes  it  impossible   of course having Facebook  helps  a ton  people from  all over   wishing  me  happy  b day   yet    no one  is  coming later to celebrate  and at  21   family  just   doesn't cut  it.   Oh   Well.... 


 My dream for my  next b day is  having a group  of really  good friends to celebrate  with possibly  a  bf   but   i  think   that is  asking to much.

 Happy  b  Day to me  

Its World CP Day

 First off I want to thank all the  fellow self advocates and parents  who  gave  me  some  photos  for the montage/  I kept  moving the deadline  farther and farther.  I loved seeing all  these photos of  everyone.  Please feel  free to share this video  with people  on your own  blogs   its  all about awareness.  This  is  so cool because   people  with  CP finally get a day to raise  awareness and come together  as a community   It is  great to know that   I am not alone in dealing  with CP.   I had soo  much  fun doing this so   I think  its  safe to say that  I will be doing this next  year .    Offline the fun counties as  I have class and    ST and  then    CP  Day  dinner.  If anyone  local  wants to  come  email me  azchapman1991@gmail.com  and    I will  give u  details.  For  now  enjoy the video.













  What did you  think   of the video?  Are  you  guys celebrating  World CP Day   offline?


  Happy  first  annual  World Cerebral Palsy Day

Palsy photos

    Hay  guys so September fourth  is World  CP  Awareness day and  to celebrate  I am   having a photo montage   email me a photo     by       next Sunday

 azchapman1991@gmail.com

  I want to make this the  best montage ever  so   please  spread the word.

  The  video will be out  September fourth   so  remember to check  back then

 me summer  2009 Will this  photo  be in the montage ?  Check back September fourth 

Able to go to college episode five: Test Time

           So this was the first test  of the semester ( which is  ironic  considering   next week  is  my  first day  back)



 Anyway

  In  college  I am in   regular  classes( of course)  but because of my disability  I  get to take  my take in a special   place  called   DSPS.

 DSPS  is   a resource  for college students  with disabilities almost every college  has  one.    In my college  I  have  an accommodation form that I  give to the teachers that basically says that I   have a disability and   need  accommodations.  Accommodations  vary   from  person  to person but   for the most part  every student with  a disability will need extended time on test.       At my college extend time on test  comes   with double  time (   a  30 minute test = 1 hour)    or time and a half      does  anyone  know?    I think  I  have double  time. This does not mean that   I  have unlimited  time  cuz  i do not I just have more time to think about  the  test material.  And    there is no cheating allowed







 For this test  I t was on  the human  cell   which    was a hard test but  luckily  I had a study  group meeting at my house so  I studied well. I  got a  B.

 Do you  know the  parts of  our cells 

 images
 video  pic from goggle
 test http://www.bestmastersineducation.com/teaching-to-tests/standardized-tests.jpg
cell http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/cell1.gif

Today numeber of the day is

 

 That is  how old   Princess  is  today that is so crazy    can't believe  she is an adult  happy b day  princess 

Respect

  R-E-S-P-E-C-T  find out what it means  to me 


     Thanks,  glad  you  want to know.  It started earlier  today  I was watching  the  US women's soccer   with my parents they were in the  gold  place  medal  round in the Olympics and they  won  today   2-1 like  many    proud Americans  I  was  proud that we won.  Why  shouldn't  I?   I   was  born in  the US  I love soccer  especially  watching it on the big  screen as was the  case  today. 

 Then their  was the medal  ceremony.  Then  it  hit me  like  a fist.     Disabled  athletes   do not  get the  same  respect  as  average  people.   There  they were   with their  matching  warm up   atire    amongst the fans that were  cheering for  them   that I was able  to see    100 miles away  on   the big screen.   

  Got this  off  of  Facebook its  to good not  to share with u all 

The  Olympics feels  so much  more  poignant  to me  because I am able  to  see it on  TV   on  a major channel  I  was able  to  watch   the opening  ceremonies and   most of the events on  tv.   They   were on   in every  restaurant  that I went to   over these  past two  weeks.  My parents   recored  via  DVR.      I  was  never able to do  it  this  during last years  World Special Olympics  Summer games, nor  do   I  believe    I will able to  watch the  para  olympics  in the next two  weeks. This  really  pisses me   off.  I did some  research  and   I  found that in  2008  the  Us  broadcasted  a  two  hour    pice on the  para olympics.    Ok   so  you  broadcast   two  weeks for the  US   but   two  hour  pice  on   para olympics. I  know  you can  find  it online  but  you  really have to  look, but    it is  bluntly  obvious that the  olympics   are on.   
Why  wasn't   Oscar    known in the US  before   the London  olympics  he was obviously a great  athletes .?  He was  not known  because  the  para olympics are not   broadcast  in the  US.


  I am not saying that   Hope  Solo,   Michael Phelps,  and   the rest of the US olympic team   do not deceive our  respect. I     am  proud of all of them.  I am saying that  disabled   athletes who represent  team  USA     should also  become  households names .
  I am a  athlete and  I am  Normal 

Why people with CP should be able to be Special Olympics athletes

    I know the title  is a mouth full. But at least you know what I am  talking about.  :)

athletes

  So  I have been  competing  in Special  Olympics  for a while  now.  Since  2005, seven  whole  years, and     all  of that  time  I have never had a  intellectual disability    my  area program  does  not  have    Unified Sports, yet  I still compete  with  people  with  intellectual disabilities.  I have  won  medals  and   received  ribbons.

   Now  I  know  special  olympics  is  for  people with  intellectual disabilities  and     some times   I  feel guilty  for competing.


   When  I was  little   I had  no need  for specialize  sport  because I  was able to  play  with   kids  in  neighborhood  programs.     I  played  soccer every  fall  with    AYSO in the  mainstreamed  program.    I have memories of  orange slices and team banners .    This  was  great for a couple  of  years   but then  reality of  physical disabltiy  set in.       It started  with my  parents holding me back a  year  so  I was the eldest  person  on the team.   (  A team  for  girls under 8   i  would  turn nine.)  It also helped   that  I was  held back a  year in  preschool( another post )  so  I played with  a lot of kids in my class.     I  did this  almost  every  year; however,  when  I  was in 5th   sixth grade my dad  did not sign me up because  I was not ready  and could not keep up.   I  remember  feeling  sad    and  angry that fall because it broke  a  tradition I had.


 Around that time  I started participating in church  basketball  but i was never on the  A  team.  I was  always  on the  developmental team  for  girls.  It was all typical  peers but   I  never  made a basket till eighth  grade

   In  third grade  my sister signed up for t ball  but  my dad  refused  to sign me up  because he felt that I would  get hurt.    I  was  a die  hard  baseball  fan and  often  accompanied my dad to  giants  games as well  as  my  brother game.       I was so sad   but managed to be bat  girl and  the  coach  gave me something   at the end of the game.  When  I  played  in fith and sixth  grade    I was one of the worst kids and in  sixth  grade I  knew  I was  being left out.  That was my last time playing softball.

   All throughout  middle and high school  I would   try out  for school sports.  And every time  I would be cut from the team.

       In  seventh grade my friend invited me to join special olympics  swimming  and  for the first time in  my  athletic career  I  could  win races    that  gave  me self esteem.  I  told my  favorite teacher about  it which  led to   a tradition of  telling my  teachers how  I did  in sports.  After   competing  in  golf   summer 2007  I was able to  join  my high schools   practice team.   Special Olympics   allowed me  to discover  a new sport and  allow  me  to join  in on high school sports.   I was on the practice team  all  three  years   and   only played in  one match, yet I was able to train with my high school


  I am sharing my story   because  I  would  like  for Special  Olympics  to consider  welcoming  athletes with physical disablties into  the world of sport.  I know  there are more AZ's  out there  who  are die hard sports  fans living  with  physical  disabilities.     The para olympics is made for  athlete with physical disabilities, yet they are  no local   training  events  so  the kids  wind up trying to compete with there peers and always  coming in last or  making their  team lose.    As I got older   i  used to feel guilty  on  regular    teams  because  I  thought I was making the teams  come in last

Able to go to college Episode Four: Cars and Hearts

   So this week  i will be blogging about   the  week of Valintes day  (2012).      I  really think that my  dog  knew it was  Valinties day because  when  I woke up this  morning I  found her  on my parents's bed looking as  cute as ever.  I had a  good day at school and to make things swet   one of my acquences  drove me home that dad.  He  was not dating   so  he  coined the  term  Single Awainess day  I like that (esp since  I have never had a boy friend)  My dad came home  that  day  and  found  a note   that said that   AZ had to unload the dish washer.  I had  seen this  note  but  I had "forgot" to  fallow though.     My  dad was  home  so  I  had to listen to the note  aw  well.  Luckily  I have a  great tip for doing the dishes which u can see in the video.

 So the  second  half  of  the video   highlights a  constant struggle  between  my parents and  me.  I want to  try driving.  Now  I  tried driving a little  my senior year, yet I was no where near ready.  Unforntaly my parents  do not think  I am  ready  so  for now  I am stuck to taking public  trasnit, bus. I hate the  bus.  The  main  reason  is that a bus  confines you to a se.    Taking the bus  means that   if you miss the bus you have to wait for the next one.  The bus   that  I take  runs  once every hour so  if I miss it  I  have to  miss at least ten minutes of class.  This was the case  in the second half of the video.   I am  only  20  so  I think  I have  still   have time to learn how to  be  behind the wheel.

Help them become Leaders of the pack

 These   three actors are the stars  of   a  internet   soon  to be  TV show    called  leaders of the pack  They  need our help  in terms of votes to  vote   u   need

1. GO TO: http://www.nextventertainment.com/votes.php?indx=2#
2. SCROLL DOWN to RICHARD REDLIN
3. CLICK VOTE! on right hand side


 if they  get  enough  votes they  can  be on  TV    that would be  cool  

Lauren Potter and  AZ   fall 2010