This week was ok my parents left town for a confrence so it is a bit lonely here but I have a ton of stuff to do for school .Can not wait til Wednesday. I went to The Big Wave Harvest festivle yesterday and helped out all day. My favorite part was rideing on
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
AZ's Week in Review
this week i started jr college.My sis came home. I hit a good golf shot and saw Motown the musical the earthquake shook up nor ca but I slept through that. A ok week.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Az's Week in Review Famila
Met my cousin last monday but hung out with my mom this weekend. Went to get golf clothes and helped my mom in her office ended the week at the golf course where I hit some in from the week.
Monday, October 6, 2014
AZ's Week in review
So today I am showing you the second week of August week in review.
That week my dad got a weird app that repeated back what he said in a monkey voice. I played golf three times.
Now for those of you that are new here. I started playing golf when I was 15, the summer before sophomore year. I was actually on the practice
team for three years. Here is a post I wrote back on my old blog.
October 9th 2009
That week my dad got a weird app that repeated back what he said in a monkey voice. I played golf three times.
Now for those of you that are new here. I started playing golf when I was 15, the summer before sophomore year. I was actually on the practice
team for three years. Here is a post I wrote back on my old blog.
October 9th 2009
Last Saturday was the Special Olympics play day. I love this day. It is for preschooler with special needs. There is basketball, bowling, dancing, biking, running, arts and crafts, parachutes and golf.
If anyone has not heard today golf became a Olympic sport. Golf is one of my favorite sports. I have played golf for the local Special Olympics and for my high school for the past three years. I love playing golf for my school. GO is really great guy he gets it. He is a former special education teacher who believes in inclusion. GO has let me play on the practice team and although I have never played a match I get to play on the course. He sometimes pushes me hard to do things I do not want to do. (More on this latter)He lets me be on the team. I may not play in the match however I have a uniform and am involved in all the fundraising and it means a lot to me . I love golf I may not be the best but I like it all the same.
So as I watched the little kids with disabilities play mini golf . There is that glimmer of hope for inclusion on a golf team in high school . The kid may only be on the prat ice team like I have been,but the kid will earn a spot through hard work. Like I am trying to do on Tuesday rain or shine. Although sun will be better. No matter if I play or not there will still be hope for the little kids because of GO. It is amazing how one person can give a glimmer of hope.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
The rest of the week in Reviews
this week I played in my first Unified sports golf match with tried university and went to a giants baseball game. An OK week.
This was my birthday week. I also got to watch the specials on OWN
This was an harder week see Dear University. I relaxed by going to the beach that Saturday |
This week I studied for a philosophy test and opened a door for the first time |
AZ's Week in Review catch up
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Because it is DS month
I did not know this but it is possible to have DS and CP co occur at the same time. Meet Veronika. She seems amazing. Meet her here.
Friday, October 3, 2014
How I Celebrated World CP Day
I brought cookies to my jc and spoke about CP it also happend to be a club fair so they were giving out itsits. I went to dinner and watched the giants win the wild card game.after that my parents the man and I watched music within. Its a great movie about a guy who befriends a guy with CP and in the process changes America.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Music Within
Last night I asked chose that we end World CP Day with Music Within. Its a great movie with even better quotes. My family ( my parents and my brother) watched it. I highly recommend seeing it.
Here is the trailler
Here is the trailler
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
World Cerebral Palsy Day 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Dear University : An Open to letter to all institutions of higher education regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities
Dear University,
I want to tell you a story about a once highly motivated student who is now the poller opposite.
This student grew up in a family that valued higher education. The student was from a home where bed time stories were a natural occurrence and the path to college was discussed at length The parents paid students grades in junior high and high school. During a middle school graduation the student friends parent told the student that they only had four years of college left. Without missing a beat the student said. " No. I have eight more years, the student was graduati
ng from 8th grade, I am going to college. The student's path was set. They wanted to get a BA.
The spring of the students freshman year, they developed OCD. It was really hard and made the student regress. Also with the demands on social in high school the student was behind and had trouble making friends due to Non verbal learning disorder. In her junior year of high school a job coach told the student and their mother that the student would probably work in the back room of Safeway. This and OCD made the student fear high school graduation. Nonetheless she graduated. Although the student had a rough start, they ended up excelling in school. Th
ey graduated with an AA in social scince with honors. But they were not done. They wanted to get a BA and go into the education field.
Last year they went to a University highly motivated to finish. But then they ran up against ableism. The campus was complete inaccessible There was no way for the student to self serve in the lunch room. The room that housed classes lacked an elevator.
One Professor told the class " That all students lean language without ever being taught." The student held their tongue at first but was visibility upset because she a speech impairment due to Cerebral Palsy and had a hard time learning to speak. When they the student did say something the professor replied , " Well all normal children do. " That really hurt the student. What was worse is that the professor overly praised the student when they got the seconded highest grade then admitted to the student that they " were surprised that [the student] did so well." When an able bodied student who got higher then said student was given the test. The student received no fan faire despite getting a hundred percent.
Another teacher tesed a student's hat. When the student had long hair and due to Cerebral Palsy could not do their hair so they needed a hat. The same history professor asked the class " If anyone had a rope." when said student had too many questions. The student was part African American and the teacher taught United States history. They could have ment lynching.
This remark was complete out of line.
The last teacher compared student to a child in front of the class. The teacher later apologized for this remark. Making her the only teacher to apologize
The administration refused to let the student return to school for personal reasons The student returned to school Fall 2014 under a contract. The contract stated among other things that the student could only take two classes and had to behave. In the event that she did not behave, she was blamed for reacting to teachers remarks, she was to see the Disability person, how can one person be in charge of all students with disabilities on a college campus. On thursday the student got a message from a conduct person. Which violated the contract. What made it worse was that the student went to advisor asking what the meeting was about. The consular said " I do not want to speculate. The student then met with the conduct person who said the consular was the one to report the incident. The student had went into a class asking to switch the classes that she wanted because everyone who took it was fun. The advisor said the student broke the conduct code. Another student said the student had followed procedure and had not broken the conduct code.
The student is already behind because they do not feel wanted. They do not trust anyone at the university. They feel betrayed by the consular. They had problems committing to two classes. Although the professors were decent this semester the administration has been hard to deal with.
So what happend to the student. Well, they are currently recovering l from a major bout of depression brought on by this stressed. They recovered not by the promise of a college education but with I pad games, The now scan the community for entry level jobs and are having a hard time focusing on education. They are hesitant to try another school. The student is writing this to teach you a few things.
1 Make campuses accessible. Every lecture hall should have an elevator.
2 Treat every student like a person not a trained seal. Not a half person not a miracle.
3 Dont joke about disabled students. Make them feel included.
4 Follow the Golden Rule.
5 If the student is on contract follow it.
6 If the student has social problems do not criminalize them. Use it a teachable moment . Be patient everyone make mistakes.
7 Honesty
8 Admit that you do not know everything. Ask the student to teach you about their background. Be willing to listen about what it is like to be them.
9 Be Patient
10 Have training for all staff on ability awareness. Take the R word pledge. Learn what Ableism is.
*** You may not be able to do all of these things due to lack of funding, yet all staff can have heart and show a little loving kindness for all students. Especailly minority students.
All the students that I have met in university have rallied around me. I have enjoyed talking to you guys. Thanks for treating me kindly when the staff has not. The Center for spirituality and the director of student retention have been awesome too. You guys rock.
I want to tell you a story about a once highly motivated student who is now the poller opposite.
This student grew up in a family that valued higher education. The student was from a home where bed time stories were a natural occurrence and the path to college was discussed at length The parents paid students grades in junior high and high school. During a middle school graduation the student friends parent told the student that they only had four years of college left. Without missing a beat the student said. " No. I have eight more years, the student was graduati
ng from 8th grade, I am going to college. The student's path was set. They wanted to get a BA.
The spring of the students freshman year, they developed OCD. It was really hard and made the student regress. Also with the demands on social in high school the student was behind and had trouble making friends due to Non verbal learning disorder. In her junior year of high school a job coach told the student and their mother that the student would probably work in the back room of Safeway. This and OCD made the student fear high school graduation. Nonetheless she graduated. Although the student had a rough start, they ended up excelling in school. Th
ey graduated with an AA in social scince with honors. But they were not done. They wanted to get a BA and go into the education field.
Last year they went to a University highly motivated to finish. But then they ran up against ableism. The campus was complete inaccessible There was no way for the student to self serve in the lunch room. The room that housed classes lacked an elevator.
One Professor told the class " That all students lean language without ever being taught." The student held their tongue at first but was visibility upset because she a speech impairment due to Cerebral Palsy and had a hard time learning to speak. When they the student did say something the professor replied , " Well all normal children do. " That really hurt the student. What was worse is that the professor overly praised the student when they got the seconded highest grade then admitted to the student that they " were surprised that [the student] did so well." When an able bodied student who got higher then said student was given the test. The student received no fan faire despite getting a hundred percent.
Another teacher tesed a student's hat. When the student had long hair and due to Cerebral Palsy could not do their hair so they needed a hat. The same history professor asked the class " If anyone had a rope." when said student had too many questions. The student was part African American and the teacher taught United States history. They could have ment lynching.
This remark was complete out of line.
The last teacher compared student to a child in front of the class. The teacher later apologized for this remark. Making her the only teacher to apologize
The administration refused to let the student return to school for personal reasons The student returned to school Fall 2014 under a contract. The contract stated among other things that the student could only take two classes and had to behave. In the event that she did not behave, she was blamed for reacting to teachers remarks, she was to see the Disability person, how can one person be in charge of all students with disabilities on a college campus. On thursday the student got a message from a conduct person. Which violated the contract. What made it worse was that the student went to advisor asking what the meeting was about. The consular said " I do not want to speculate. The student then met with the conduct person who said the consular was the one to report the incident. The student had went into a class asking to switch the classes that she wanted because everyone who took it was fun. The advisor said the student broke the conduct code. Another student said the student had followed procedure and had not broken the conduct code.
The student is already behind because they do not feel wanted. They do not trust anyone at the university. They feel betrayed by the consular. They had problems committing to two classes. Although the professors were decent this semester the administration has been hard to deal with.
So what happend to the student. Well, they are currently recovering l from a major bout of depression brought on by this stressed. They recovered not by the promise of a college education but with I pad games, The now scan the community for entry level jobs and are having a hard time focusing on education. They are hesitant to try another school. The student is writing this to teach you a few things.
1 Make campuses accessible. Every lecture hall should have an elevator.
2 Treat every student like a person not a trained seal. Not a half person not a miracle.
3 Dont joke about disabled students. Make them feel included.
4 Follow the Golden Rule.
5 If the student is on contract follow it.
6 If the student has social problems do not criminalize them. Use it a teachable moment . Be patient everyone make mistakes.
7 Honesty
8 Admit that you do not know everything. Ask the student to teach you about their background. Be willing to listen about what it is like to be them.
9 Be Patient
10 Have training for all staff on ability awareness. Take the R word pledge. Learn what Ableism is.
*** You may not be able to do all of these things due to lack of funding, yet all staff can have heart and show a little loving kindness for all students. Especailly minority students.
All the students that I have met in university have rallied around me. I have enjoyed talking to you guys. Thanks for treating me kindly when the staff has not. The Center for spirituality and the director of student retention have been awesome too. You guys rock.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
A Midsummer nightmare
So today I had class at my beloved jr college. I needed a text book for philosophy which my dad came to the bookstore to get,but we ended up not getting the book. " Why did we not get the book?"
When my dad came to bookstore he traded places with me so I could rest my feet and look on my iphone. I looked on Facebook that was fine, but then I got an email from my old university The plan was I would take classes at both the jr college and the university since I can only take two classes at the university. The same university that I talked about here.
Apparently not much has changed in terms of inclusiveness towards those with disabilities. Ableism rules supreme and the term has not began. How do I know this.
The email I got was play invite to all the students to try out for Shakespeare's A mid summer nights dream. I kinda like that play and have always wanted to be in at least one play my school career so I was interested in trying out . Until I read the following,
"This play requires clarity of speech and a passionate desire to communicate one’s point of view."
This is clear ableism. Why I have speech issues. I can barely say my own name. I have been in speech therapy since I was three. The speech issues are due to CP. Futhermore this was sent out to all the students. This was not broadway its a school play, something that I always wanted to do. Did they think about this?No.
I am leaning towards not going back to school and school starts a week from now.
When my dad came to bookstore he traded places with me so I could rest my feet and look on my iphone. I looked on Facebook that was fine, but then I got an email from my old university The plan was I would take classes at both the jr college and the university since I can only take two classes at the university. The same university that I talked about here.
Apparently not much has changed in terms of inclusiveness towards those with disabilities. Ableism rules supreme and the term has not began. How do I know this.
The email I got was play invite to all the students to try out for Shakespeare's A mid summer nights dream. I kinda like that play and have always wanted to be in at least one play my school career so I was interested in trying out . Until I read the following,
"This play requires clarity of speech and a passionate desire to communicate one’s point of view."
This is clear ableism. Why I have speech issues. I can barely say my own name. I have been in speech therapy since I was three. The speech issues are due to CP. Futhermore this was sent out to all the students. This was not broadway its a school play, something that I always wanted to do. Did they think about this?No.
I am leaning towards not going back to school and school starts a week from now.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
This could change my life
***** Authors note : I do not mean in any way shape or form to be disrespectful to people with intellectual disabilities or those that love them. If I did I apologize. I am just sharing my story.
So yesterday at around 5:00 I was talking to my psychology teacher. We were talking about my inability to communicate clearly and how people often assume that I am intellectually disabled. It happens right away. The movement I open my mouth to a new person bam they assume that I do not comprehend anything which is untrue. It has happend to me when I attend university . Lets think about this for a second. I had to apply and got in but still a professor was really surprised when I aced a test.
How I felt when the professor was surprised about my A . |
Not even 24 hours later I am reading Love that Max that mentions Talkitt. Its an app that translates unclear speech into speech that others can understand. This has to be the greatest thing ever invented. Now this does not change ignorant minds,but it allows for my message to be expressed in real time which takes off the frustration from me and the listeners. And perhaps if they do not have to disappear what I am saying just maybe they will be able to see my cognitive ability.
Talkit needs your help it is seeking funding to make this into a reality. If I could I would donate all the money but I can not but if any of my readers would I'd appreciate it. This has the potentialr to change the world for people with speech impairments. It would make my life a little easier. Go here to donate and watch a video of it in action.
Got image of elsa from
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2a/e1/e4/2ae1e45ff8e863aabc312bfe8212fd85.jpg
Monday, July 28, 2014
World CP photo montage Call for Pictures
Its that time of year people time to start sending in photos of you or your child with CP. October is world CP Day . So send in one photo to azchapman1991@gmail.com and tune in October first to see this great montage.
Wanta know what it will look like here are some videos,
2012
2013
Wanta know what it will look like here are some videos,
2012
2013
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
I am not sorry because I am not broken
Hay guys sorry its been a while things are good here just been busy with summer school at my old jc. I am breaking the silence because something has been on my mind that I want to talk about.
Back when I started my jc one of my first college professors apologized when I told her that I had Cerebral Palsy.
When I introduced myslef to my Psychology teacher this summer and told him I have CP, He did the same thing
Now before I move on I want to say that both
of these people were well intentioned. The first professor and I are now friends on fb and she has helped me out a lot this past year. I also am enjoying my summer class and the professor is very nice and understanding of my recent history.
But to get back to my topic. When people apologize for my disability it does not feel good. Imagine if someone said sorry for a characteristic about you. Having Cerebral Palsy is a part of me. Its been around for long as I can remember. It has been with me and has given me more reasons to celebrate. Because some things come harder then the average person, I get to have more celebration when I achieve them. I do not mourn CP because its a part of me. Does CP make my life hard at times yeah. Are there times I desire normalcy? Yeah but happly the feeling does not last long . I am not broken. I do not think that we need to invest money in trying to prevent others like me. I am amazing. I bring joy and laughter to those around me. I have a unique perspective of the world because of my disabilities and experiences. note the quote below is my own about disabilities particulary CP and NVLD. *****OCD is different as the condition itself causes me unwanted stress. *****
Back when I started my jc one of my first college professors apologized when I told her that I had Cerebral Palsy.
When I introduced myslef to my Psychology teacher this summer and told him I have CP, He did the same thing
Now before I move on I want to say that both
of these people were well intentioned. The first professor and I are now friends on fb and she has helped me out a lot this past year. I also am enjoying my summer class and the professor is very nice and understanding of my recent history.
But to get back to my topic. When people apologize for my disability it does not feel good. Imagine if someone said sorry for a characteristic about you. Having Cerebral Palsy is a part of me. Its been around for long as I can remember. It has been with me and has given me more reasons to celebrate. Because some things come harder then the average person, I get to have more celebration when I achieve them. I do not mourn CP because its a part of me. Does CP make my life hard at times yeah. Are there times I desire normalcy? Yeah but happly the feeling does not last long . I am not broken. I do not think that we need to invest money in trying to prevent others like me. I am amazing. I bring joy and laughter to those around me. I have a unique perspective of the world because of my disabilities and experiences. note the quote below is my own about disabilities particulary CP and NVLD. *****OCD is different as the condition itself causes me unwanted stress. *****
I have hope but am not mourning CP. |
=
The hardest part about being disabled is not the disability itself. It is much harder to live in a world that does not see your life as having value. It is much harder to deal with ableism and discrimination that comes with disabilities. AZ
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
A Gap in my knowledge
There is a show on Fox and National Geographic called Cosmos. I really love this show. The show talks about science.
Ever since I have been watching this show, I can not help but moran for a chance to be in middle school again. In middle school kids in resource only took three core classes. Everyone was required to take English, then referred to as Language Arts, and Mathematics. In terms of history and scince at my middle school you were supposed to chose between the two. All three years of middle school the school and my parents chose history. This really paid off because now I am a self proclaimed history buff and passed my AP test my junior year of high school in American History. But all three years I
missed out on science.
In high school when I finally took science , I struggled in science a lot. In biology I was able to work with the teacher who was able to help me on test. In Chemistry it was really hard because I was lazy probably in part because I had never had science in middle school. In college I did well in Biology , but when it came time to take the Solar System, I was lost because I did not know the order of the planets . I had to work really hard and I passed.
Instead of learning science in middle school I had resource room where I was bullied a lot from other students while the teachers did not do anything.
Lets think about what my day would have looked like if my school practiced best practices My teachers would have came into the class and help me inside my general education classes. Maybe I would get pulled out in a small group once a week for pre-teaching and study skills development in areas that I needed help with. Since it was a small group and it was with a purpose perhaps the other students would have been busy and not teased me. I would have taken Science and History . I wouldn't have gaps in my knowledge Perhaps in high school I would have had an easier time in my science classes. I might have had the foundation I needed to take an AP science course. In short I might have had a educational career similar to my peers who did not have a disability.
All schools should practice best practices All students need to learn in inclusive classes just like they would have if they did not have a disability. We are Worthy!
Ever since I have been watching this show, I can not help but moran for a chance to be in middle school again. In middle school kids in resource only took three core classes. Everyone was required to take English, then referred to as Language Arts, and Mathematics. In terms of history and scince at my middle school you were supposed to chose between the two. All three years of middle school the school and my parents chose history. This really paid off because now I am a self proclaimed history buff and passed my AP test my junior year of high school in American History. But all three years I
missed out on science.
In high school when I finally took science , I struggled in science a lot. In biology I was able to work with the teacher who was able to help me on test. In Chemistry it was really hard because I was lazy probably in part because I had never had science in middle school. In college I did well in Biology , but when it came time to take the Solar System, I was lost because I did not know the order of the planets . I had to work really hard and I passed.
Instead of learning science in middle school I had resource room where I was bullied a lot from other students while the teachers did not do anything.
Lets think about what my day would have looked like if my school practiced best practices My teachers would have came into the class and help me inside my general education classes. Maybe I would get pulled out in a small group once a week for pre-teaching and study skills development in areas that I needed help with. Since it was a small group and it was with a purpose perhaps the other students would have been busy and not teased me. I would have taken Science and History . I wouldn't have gaps in my knowledge Perhaps in high school I would have had an easier time in my science classes. I might have had the foundation I needed to take an AP science course. In short I might have had a educational career similar to my peers who did not have a disability.
All schools should practice best practices All students need to learn in inclusive classes just like they would have if they did not have a disability. We are Worthy!
Monday, May 19, 2014
60 years later
Over the weekend, Brown v Board of ed turned 60 years old. This court case turned over Plessy vs Feguson which said Seprate but equal was not acceptable.
All the news stories that I have heard only talk about race. Race is important I totally agree. It is still an important problem that society has not worked out.
But there is another issue in the fight for equality in the schools
Disabled students
Disabled students everywhere are learning in segregated classrooms. Segregated classrooms. Children are missing out on the opportunity to learn grade level class work and meet the kids in their neighborhood All studies have shown that special education classes produce bad outcomes for kids. The unemployment level for people with disabilities is high.
The next time you talk about diversity remember that there are students who look, move, roll different too. In a country as rich as ours we should find the resources to allow all students to learn together. There are no excuses.
60 years later.
We have a lot of work to do.
All the news stories that I have heard only talk about race. Race is important I totally agree. It is still an important problem that society has not worked out.
But there is another issue in the fight for equality in the schools
Disabled students
Disabled students everywhere are learning in segregated classrooms. Segregated classrooms. Children are missing out on the opportunity to learn grade level class work and meet the kids in their neighborhood All studies have shown that special education classes produce bad outcomes for kids. The unemployment level for people with disabilities is high.
The next time you talk about diversity remember that there are students who look, move, roll different too. In a country as rich as ours we should find the resources to allow all students to learn together. There are no excuses.
60 years later.
We have a lot of work to do.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Blogging against disability day 2014: Don't put words in my mouth
Too many orginzations that serve people with disabilites, the most famous one being Autism Speaks Do not listen to people with developmental disabiltes
Why is this a problem you might ask?
Let me take you back to history class more specifically American History class.
Your in fifth grade and its time to learn about colonazation. In it you learn about the British forced the colonist to pay taxes. The colonist pay taxes on things in which they have no say over stamps papper goods . Then they foce you to only drink tea from the East India tea company. People do not like it and a little thing oh what is the word for it o h yeah the American Revoultion happends. Americans are taught that British were the bad guys because they forced there agenda on the colonost, later the Americans.
Now can you igmane what would happend if instead of money people told you that you are an epidemic. That medince needs to heal you. That you have to wear smelly uniforms. The last straw for American people was when activist had to house soliders, You know what those all called to us Yanks the intolerable acts.
Then fast forward to the mid 20th centruy. We learn that seprate is not equal and everyone deserve a vote. So many fellow men and women of color gave there lives for freedom. People were hosed and had dog attacking.
Why isn't the same liberaty offered to those with disabilities. Why is it that people time and time again disregard us in making descins. Why do you refuse to ignore our wants and desires. Give us a vote. Bring us to the table and show us where the money is going. Ask us what we hope for. Ask us if we want to be in the world or a community. Asks us if we want jobs. Asks us what our dream job is. Then listen to what we have to say. Listen like you would to our able bodied counterpart. Listen to us. We know best. We know what it feels like to be isolated. We know how it feels to be talked down too. WE know whats it like to work hard in theaphy. WE have experinced frustration. WE experinced the laughter and taunts go unoticed . We know the pain of people dreading a birth of someone like us. We know how it feels when people tell us our experinced isn't valid because we are not normal.
Nothing about us without us.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Dear People sitting across the table
Dear People sitting across the table,
You guys are gathered around a table for a school meeting of a student that struggles. Maybe they have a intellectual disability or a behavior issue but you are about to meet with that student and their families to talk about the upcoming school year. I am that bad student. I was the one no one wanted to teach. I was "the hardest student I had ever had to teach". I am now that adult who is hardest to teach. I have been those meetings and boy they are not fun.
Can I ask you guys around the table for a favor. Can you please remember that every person has both a good and bad side to them. Can you please remember that students like me are not future inmates or horrible people headed nowhere. We are more then IQ scores or how inteligble our speech is.
Can I remind you that their is no alternative to inclusive education. It is the law for a reason No research has found that segregation what you guys call " a program" or " special day class" is a better option even for those with serve disabilities. LRE says that students like me should be educated for the most amount of time among peers who do not have disabilities using the rights supports and services and if all the supports fail first then is it ok to remove to a more restrictive environment That is the law. No one should have to prove that they are worthy of an education and everyone learns at a different pace.
Dear people at the other end at a table in an IEP meeting. Before you start , please look into the parents and child eyes. Everyone has a story. The parents probably have experienced a lot of heartache over their disabled child. Most people do not want a disabled family member and it is quite possible that there was a time when the child was small that they cried for their child's future. You may be able to go home and back to your lives , but the child's parents have to see the child that night. Please make it easy for them to see their child that night. If all you do is remind said parents that there child is rude and disruptive. They will have to go home and become the cop to the child. This will undoubtly make the student self esteem suffer immensely which will lead to more bad behavior and their believing that they are bad people.
Instead of calling it bad behavior why not say" Jimmy is confused by the social new-ounces of classroom life. Can we all work together to try to teach him social skills so he can get along in life." It is a lack of skill not bad behavior. Students are not bad if they do not understand an Algebra concept, nor should they be called bad if they do not understand how to behave in class.
One last thing. No one has a crystal ball so try not to predict the future thanks.
Sincerely
A young person that lacks social skills, and
has a strong love of learning.
image urlhttp://www.picgifs.com/clip-art/communication/meeting/clip-art-meeting-532273.jpg
You guys are gathered around a table for a school meeting of a student that struggles. Maybe they have a intellectual disability or a behavior issue but you are about to meet with that student and their families to talk about the upcoming school year. I am that bad student. I was the one no one wanted to teach. I was "the hardest student I had ever had to teach". I am now that adult who is hardest to teach. I have been those meetings and boy they are not fun.
Can I ask you guys around the table for a favor. Can you please remember that every person has both a good and bad side to them. Can you please remember that students like me are not future inmates or horrible people headed nowhere. We are more then IQ scores or how inteligble our speech is.
Can I remind you that their is no alternative to inclusive education. It is the law for a reason No research has found that segregation what you guys call " a program" or " special day class" is a better option even for those with serve disabilities. LRE says that students like me should be educated for the most amount of time among peers who do not have disabilities using the rights supports and services and if all the supports fail first then is it ok to remove to a more restrictive environment That is the law. No one should have to prove that they are worthy of an education and everyone learns at a different pace.
Dear people at the other end at a table in an IEP meeting. Before you start , please look into the parents and child eyes. Everyone has a story. The parents probably have experienced a lot of heartache over their disabled child. Most people do not want a disabled family member and it is quite possible that there was a time when the child was small that they cried for their child's future. You may be able to go home and back to your lives , but the child's parents have to see the child that night. Please make it easy for them to see their child that night. If all you do is remind said parents that there child is rude and disruptive. They will have to go home and become the cop to the child. This will undoubtly make the student self esteem suffer immensely which will lead to more bad behavior and their believing that they are bad people.
Instead of calling it bad behavior why not say" Jimmy is confused by the social new-ounces of classroom life. Can we all work together to try to teach him social skills so he can get along in life." It is a lack of skill not bad behavior. Students are not bad if they do not understand an Algebra concept, nor should they be called bad if they do not understand how to behave in class.
One last thing. No one has a crystal ball so try not to predict the future thanks.
Sincerely
A young person that lacks social skills, and
has a strong love of learning.
image urlhttp://www.picgifs.com/clip-art/communication/meeting/clip-art-meeting-532273.jpg
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
How I celebrated CP day
Hay guys so sorry long time no blog. I have been discouraged about the lack of comments but now i am back. I wanted to share with you what I did for national CP day.
My sister made cookies that I took to my program. ( I am not in school this semester but I may be in school in the Fall we have to see). The program
am was tempory and now i am done with the program.
I went to program in my green clothes and hat. It was cold that day so I wore a long white t shirt under my HOPE t shirt. After program I went to pizza and then took the bus home. I had a fun day.
A fellow Ceep, person with CP made this video. It was so nice to see many people wearing green to support us.
My sister made cookies that I took to my program. ( I am not in school this semester but I may be in school in the Fall we have to see). The program
am was tempory and now i am done with the program.
I went to program in my green clothes and hat. It was cold that day so I wore a long white t shirt under my HOPE t shirt. After program I went to pizza and then took the bus home. I had a fun day.
A fellow Ceep, person with CP made this video. It was so nice to see many people wearing green to support us.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
The Solution is Inculsion
One of my earliest memories come from when I was in preschool. I have a few memories, but the one that stands out is when on a playground on a elementary school campus. The teacher yelled , " The big kids are coming." Now she could have yelled that the big kids are coming for two reasons One that we were preschoolers and when you are that little a seven year old is a "big kid" compared to you. Or it could have been that all the kids on the playground, including myself, were disabled. I attend a county preschool special needs class. That ment that most days I rode a small yellow bus to and from school I was met by others that had special needs. Some were hearing impaired others were in wheelchairs, I was in a speech impaired class as talking was, and continues to be, a huge moments task for me.If I spoke clearly, I would try to do a Ted talk on inclusion. Since I don't talk clearly, a blog post I will write. I am able to write it because I was included and learned how to write essays.
Special education classes are the biggest diservice to students with disabilities today. That is a pretty bold statement . But so all these.
34% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed
In 2012, 12% of people with any disability had a BA or higher.
How are thses outcomes OK for students. How can we commit one more youngster to these same "programs" that produce these result. Obviously we have failed people with disabilities but is inclusion the answer. I argue that it is because I was included in school.
I was included right from birth. My parents did not spend an hour a day with me then leave to take care of my seven year old brother. Could you imagine if a parent did that. That would be child abuse. If that is child abuse, Why is it OK for elementary school kids to only be include for specials( art music PE science and history) ? The science and history disappears as an option once students enter middle school. This is not okey. This is denying children access to stories and math games and other things that kids are doing. I was in general education classes and we spent most of the day doing reading and math. If I were only mainstreamed for science and social studies, I would not have had writers workshop or reading Charlotte's Web, and tile math.
Speaking about other kids, Why is ok to deny children with disabilities access to neighborhood schools? For kids, schools are there first community outside their family, so when we bus kids to other places they do not get to meet the neighborhood kids. They do not get to walk to school. They do not see other kids that they know in there local supermarkets or REC Centers. Isolation is common amongst kids with disabilities. So knowing this , why do school people routinely bus kids to other schools in there district All kids that use public schools should go to the school in there neighborhood.
How do we teach kids how to be in the community when all they know is isolation. The answer is not to take secondary students out in the community during the school day. The kids need to be in there local high school classes learning about the world around them. Just like they would if they did not have a disabilities. If they need work experience why not try to find it within the high school community so they can feel connected to the school. Could they work in the cafeteria once a week? Could they mange the sports equipment physical education department? Could they be messengers that work in the front office? Could they be teacher assistants? Could they be on student council ? They can do all of these activities and more to get job skills within their high school experience with help. Without ever stepping off the campus they can work in there community. When you are 16 your community is the high school. I remember being afraid when I started pre -k in a inclusive setting. There were more kids and different expectations. I can not imagine if I had spent my entire school carrer in a special day program then transition into the community. I would have been lost. My transition into the community was made easier by me being in inclusive education because I grew up in my community. I learned about being in a community by being part of my school community.
Parents might tell me that there kid loves being in the special day classes. You know what ask any kid if they wanted to go to all day dance and most would like it. Ask any kid if they want to go ice skateing for the day and most would like it. How bout to see the latest film.? If that was there school day then of course then most kids would love school, but they are not ready for life. This is not education. Education is all about learning.
All the special needs classes that I was in did not have structure The teachers and students disrespected me. Most students with intellecual disabilities were segered, so when I showed up last year at university, people taught that I was not intelligent People were surprised when I did well on tests. I really do not blame these stereotypes I am willing to bet big bucks that these professors never had a chancee to know what disabilities were. Professors never knew that the disabled were capable of greatness. The sad part is a whole generation of kids in america are not having the opportunity to know different because of the system. The system needs to change. Kids need to be on the same level to begin to falsify these stereotypes They can not do if they are helpers. They can not do it if disabled kids are segregated. They can only do it when the disabled student is just another kid in their classes for the whole day.
For those of you that haven't heard my story watch this
What do you think? I want to hear from you. Please commet before you leave/
References
http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/reports/acs.cfm?statistic=2
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unemployment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-more-than-twice-as-high-as-general-population-245835281.html
Special education classes are the biggest diservice to students with disabilities today. That is a pretty bold statement . But so all these.
34% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed
In 2012, 12% of people with any disability had a BA or higher.
How are thses outcomes OK for students. How can we commit one more youngster to these same "programs" that produce these result. Obviously we have failed people with disabilities but is inclusion the answer. I argue that it is because I was included in school.
I was included right from birth. My parents did not spend an hour a day with me then leave to take care of my seven year old brother. Could you imagine if a parent did that. That would be child abuse. If that is child abuse, Why is it OK for elementary school kids to only be include for specials( art music PE science and history) ? The science and history disappears as an option once students enter middle school. This is not okey. This is denying children access to stories and math games and other things that kids are doing. I was in general education classes and we spent most of the day doing reading and math. If I were only mainstreamed for science and social studies, I would not have had writers workshop or reading Charlotte's Web, and tile math.
Speaking about other kids, Why is ok to deny children with disabilities access to neighborhood schools? For kids, schools are there first community outside their family, so when we bus kids to other places they do not get to meet the neighborhood kids. They do not get to walk to school. They do not see other kids that they know in there local supermarkets or REC Centers. Isolation is common amongst kids with disabilities. So knowing this , why do school people routinely bus kids to other schools in there district All kids that use public schools should go to the school in there neighborhood.
How do we teach kids how to be in the community when all they know is isolation. The answer is not to take secondary students out in the community during the school day. The kids need to be in there local high school classes learning about the world around them. Just like they would if they did not have a disabilities. If they need work experience why not try to find it within the high school community so they can feel connected to the school. Could they work in the cafeteria once a week? Could they mange the sports equipment physical education department? Could they be messengers that work in the front office? Could they be teacher assistants? Could they be on student council ? They can do all of these activities and more to get job skills within their high school experience with help. Without ever stepping off the campus they can work in there community. When you are 16 your community is the high school. I remember being afraid when I started pre -k in a inclusive setting. There were more kids and different expectations. I can not imagine if I had spent my entire school carrer in a special day program then transition into the community. I would have been lost. My transition into the community was made easier by me being in inclusive education because I grew up in my community. I learned about being in a community by being part of my school community.
Parents might tell me that there kid loves being in the special day classes. You know what ask any kid if they wanted to go to all day dance and most would like it. Ask any kid if they want to go ice skateing for the day and most would like it. How bout to see the latest film.? If that was there school day then of course then most kids would love school, but they are not ready for life. This is not education. Education is all about learning.
All the special needs classes that I was in did not have structure The teachers and students disrespected me. Most students with intellecual disabilities were segered, so when I showed up last year at university, people taught that I was not intelligent People were surprised when I did well on tests. I really do not blame these stereotypes I am willing to bet big bucks that these professors never had a chancee to know what disabilities were. Professors never knew that the disabled were capable of greatness. The sad part is a whole generation of kids in america are not having the opportunity to know different because of the system. The system needs to change. Kids need to be on the same level to begin to falsify these stereotypes They can not do if they are helpers. They can not do it if disabled kids are segregated. They can only do it when the disabled student is just another kid in their classes for the whole day.
For those of you that haven't heard my story watch this
What do you think? I want to hear from you. Please commet before you leave/
References
http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/reports/acs.cfm?statistic=2
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unemployment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-more-than-twice-as-high-as-general-population-245835281.html
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Cerebral Palsy PARTY Day 17: National Cerebral Palsy Day
I do not hope that there will be a cure for CP because I am not suffering. Honestly do I look that I am suffering from CP. I am not broken, therefore I do not need to be fixed. CP is a part of who I am. Please do not pity me. I am on a adventure called life, which includes CP. I do have hopes for fellow CPers.
Ten things I hope that people with CP have.
I hope that kids with CP will have the chance to meet other kids and adults with CP so they will have role modals.
I hope that kids with CP will attend school and develop a love of learning.
I hope that people with CP will be valued members of their families.
I hope that people with CP will be valued members of their community.
I hope that people with CP won't get bullied.
I hope that people with CP will find friends
I hope that people with CP will enjoy life and have fun.
I hope that people with CP won't always have to prove that they are intelligent.
I hope that people with CP will have people expect greatness from them.
Ps if you are wearing green today. Let me know. If you want to send me a picture of you or your loved ones wearing green. Post a pic on my AZ Chapman face book page. or email me azchapman1991@gmail.com. You could be featured in a upcoming blog post.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Cerebral Palsy party DAY 16: I love the snow
Today's pics come from skiing at MT, Rose NV. We used to go up every President's weekend and go skiing. I love the snow. I have not been in awhile so I am hoping to go back perhaps next winter.
Roesbuds has a great adapted ski school, I was able to get private lessons. Pricy but worth it |
all business |
carrying my ski |
book gal AZ and Princess, |
Heading in,
Remember to wear green tomorrow for national CP day. If you do take a picture and send it to me. You could be on the blog later this week.
|
Friday, March 21, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Party Day 15: golfing
Hay guys so today's photo to end out the week will be from the first time I played golf.
Ok so its not real golf but mini golf. I really enjoyed playing here. Besides mini golf they had go carts, an arcade, and bumper boats. This was a really fun center. I was sad when they had to close this fun-land.
I continue to play golf for Special Olympics and was on my high school golf team.
Don't forget to comment before you leave.
PS Happy World Down Syndrome Day.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Cerebral Palsy Photo Party Day 14: Grandma says
This is an old post but its too good not to re share. My grandma wrote something last year on my blog for CP month. Reposting in case you missed it.
I make this attempt to organize my thoughts and perceptions on electronic paper regarding my grand daughter, AZ Chapman, who has had to work hard to accomplish some things that so many of us take for granted.
When AZ was born with CP it was unexpected; it has also been a learning experience for the family as well as for her, during these years of her babyhood, then childhood, then becoming a young woman.
One thing this remarkable young lady has shown us is how perseverance in the face of difficulty can accomplish a whole lot in life. Though not confined to a wheelchair like many people with CP, AZ does have to deal with some difficulty in physical coordination. Her determination and perseverance have given her the freedom / independence of being able to walk to a small shopping center near home, to take the bus and to successfully attend college.
I know it has often been frustrating for AZ when her body resists cooperating with her mind, and I am grateful for the helpful therapy made available to her. Mind over matter is not the easiest thing in the world, especially as a battle prolonged over your entire life! The wonderful improvement in her speech shows how hard she has worked.
Awareness: being conscious or perceptive. Being conscious of the difficulties and hardships of cerebral palsy can demand a lot of focus. It could be easy to make it the whole focus of your life and develop a real pity party attitude or use it to manipulate others around you. Happily for AZ, her parents and her siblings and even Zoe ( the family dog ) remind her daily that she has her own chores and responsibilities like everyone else in the family. The empathy and compassion that AZ has grown to have for others with a handicap are shown in her work with Special Olympics and in her postings on FB.
We all have difficulties and hardships; we all have our perceptions and feelings, we all have our ups and downs in life. We are all human and have our individual things to deal with. I find it admirable that those with some of the harder problems develop such determination and perseverance and empathy for others.
Don't forget to commet before you leave.
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