Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party Day 13 : Its always tough to say goodbye
Today's picture is my last day of kindergaten. I look sad but it makes sense because transitions are very hard for me.
For me boundaries are very hard for me. I think this is due to being bullied a lot as a kid. Its tough to grow up disabled because you are more likely to get bullied and regected rom peers. I am a friendly outgoing person but making solid friendships are a challenge for me. I get along great with teachers and stuff but for the longest time they kept telling me that they were not my friends All that changed when professors befriended me in jr college. I am grateful for that because so many people have enforced those boundaries When people are willing to listen to me I feel great because so often I am on the sidelines as life goes by.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party Day 12 : My hair
Yesterday I told you about my feet today let me tell you about my hair. My mom is African American and my dad is hispanic and white. When It came to hair I inherited long hair from my Dad's genes, curly hair , from my mom.Sometimes it makes for good pictures like todays.
Dear people who think I am a hobo
I can not do my hair and I hate getting it done because it is curly. Add to this the fact that I have an habit of rubbing my head so it sticks up. Shortly after leaving high school , I discover the power of hats. Some people might see me wearing a hat and think that I am a hobo. To that I have the following to say.
I have something called CP which messes up my hands so I can not do my hair. When I was younger someone always did my hair in the morning, but it would stick up after rubbing my hands through my hair so it would stick up, so I wear a hat. The hat has no correlation to my intelligence or my social class its just the fact that I have CP. Thanks and good night and the next time u see someone with a hat do not judge them because until u learn the whole story I have a disability and am doing the best I can and no I do not want pity thanks
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Cerebral Palsy party day11:feet problems
Yo ho yo ho a Pirates life for me. Here I am with Princess on top of the boat that was at a Children's Meausum .
My Cerebral Palsy is mild . In fact throughout my childhood. I would say that my feet gave me little to no problem. As I have aged, I have noticed that my feet are giving me problems. My endurance is not what it used to be. I am finding that I have to sit down more, or risk a throbbing pain in my foot. I have also found that I can not localize pain very well. For example I think my feet hurt at the arch, yet I do not trust myself. Happy st patricks day
Friday, March 14, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party Day 10: Soccer time
The fall after I graduated preschool. I turned five and started full inclusion pre-k. I have a September birthday so my parents wanted me to wait another year before kindergaten. They talked to many people that recommended that I get another year to grow and learn before I start formal schooling. Even though it was pre -k ment a new school, a privite traditional school with a small class size.
Soccer Star |
It also ment soccer time. I played soccer on the neighborhood tradtional U5, bunch-ball I got a great coach who included me right from the start. I would later play with him in U10. He would nominate me for an award the second time around and I would win. He also had a daughter who attended out church. I was able to build community all around me because of inclusion It worked. Inclusion rocks.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party Day 9: Preschool graduate
Today's pictures come at a happy time for me. It is the first graduation that I remember
yeah I remember graduating preschool. It was a special time. My parents already made the choice that I would attend a private elementary school which was not set up for kids with special needs which ment that none of my fellow classmates would have me in the same class. I was on to bigger things. I had no idea that I was changing tracks It was still school for me.
yeah I remember graduating preschool. It was a special time. My parents already made the choice that I would attend a private elementary school which was not set up for kids with special needs which ment that none of my fellow classmates would have me in the same class. I was on to bigger things. I had no idea that I was changing tracks It was still school for me.
Getting my diploma from teacher J. She would continue to tutor me at my home |
I was soo cute |
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
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
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
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
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.
Monday, March 10, 2014
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 |
Friday, March 7, 2014
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.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
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 |
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party 2014 Day 2: In the Hospital
Day two |
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
Monday, March 3, 2014
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 .
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.
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 |
Thursday, February 27, 2014
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,
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
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
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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
Thursday, February 20, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, February 10, 2014
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
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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
Thursday, January 23, 2014
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
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
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.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
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.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Able to go to College : Episode Eleven : Health Fair
So I went to the
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.
Friday, January 10, 2014
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.
To see the new website click here.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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.
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