Note : You can not send them to me in a comment but email still works |
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
If by chance then do not judge
So, I am in speech therapy again and am working hard and sometimes , ok a lot of the time, I drool. Once while saying the /th/ sound I accidentally sprayed my speech therapist . I got so embarrassed and rushed to apologize . She wasn't mad and said that I couldn't help it.
This week in America two black men were shot by the police. This is not new, but this is the first time I am talking about it. Black lives , not all lives in particular because black lives have been tossed away without public regard for all of America's history mater. They matter because they are people who are a part of families. They matter because the person killed by the police is someone's son, brother, lover, friend. They matter.
One of the reasons that it seems silly to me to judge someone based on a characteristic , such as race, gender, sexual oreantation, religion or ability. Is that these are characteristics that the person themselves has no control over. The individual person does not chose these characteristics yet in America we tend to punish certain groups for a characteristic that they themselves did not have control over. Just like disability, my mixed race identity has contributed to the person that I am. I am a disabled women of color. I knew about slavery before it was taught to us. My mom has stories of the Jim Crow south as do my grandparents. It shapes me into a more conscious person. It is not something I chose, but it has shaped me into the person that I am today.
To judge someone because they are different for whatever reason is wrong. Because it is all by chance. Random Chance. The bad thing is that some people think they are better because of chance. There is one race the human race. We are better together.
Remember the Golden Rule: Treat Others The Same Way You Want to be Treated
My deepest condolences to those that have loss a person to police violence
This week in America two black men were shot by the police. This is not new, but this is the first time I am talking about it. Black lives , not all lives in particular because black lives have been tossed away without public regard for all of America's history mater. They matter because they are people who are a part of families. They matter because the person killed by the police is someone's son, brother, lover, friend. They matter.
One of the reasons that it seems silly to me to judge someone based on a characteristic , such as race, gender, sexual oreantation, religion or ability. Is that these are characteristics that the person themselves has no control over. The individual person does not chose these characteristics yet in America we tend to punish certain groups for a characteristic that they themselves did not have control over. Just like disability, my mixed race identity has contributed to the person that I am. I am a disabled women of color. I knew about slavery before it was taught to us. My mom has stories of the Jim Crow south as do my grandparents. It shapes me into a more conscious person. It is not something I chose, but it has shaped me into the person that I am today.
To judge someone because they are different for whatever reason is wrong. Because it is all by chance. Random Chance. The bad thing is that some people think they are better because of chance. There is one race the human race. We are better together.
Remember the Golden Rule: Treat Others The Same Way You Want to be Treated
My deepest condolences to those that have loss a person to police violence
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
Last Final
Just finished my last final of college undergrad. 17 months ago I was told that I could not complete a degree in Liberal Studies at NDNU. Eight years ago I was told that I could not go to college to do behavior problems and I really should work in a back room. But yet tomorrow I will get my BA. Impossible is nothing. Never underestimate anyone. Have high hopes and use inclusion to get there.
6/10/16
6/10/16
Friday, June 3, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Legacy
Once upon a time there was a young women who went to a grad fair. Seeing all the graduation ceremonies they left because there were things for other graduations , Black Grad, Asian Grad but no graduations for those with disabilities. Being a disabled advocate she went to the disability program and mentioned it to the staff. The staff liked it so they put it on. Today was that day. It was a fun day. This will be an annual celebration at the school. This is pretty good legacy to leave behind.
For those of you that are worried that this means this graduate will not be included in the traditional ceremony, Don' t worry she will walk across the stage in ten days.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Happy b day Book girl
Book girl is amazing. She always is looking out for me. She is awesome. Happy b day Book girl Love you lots.
AZ
AZ
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Happy Mothers Day 2016
Hi guys sorry I have been absent. OCD has not been kind to me these past few months and I am graduating and generally really busy. But I wanted to blog for Mothers day.
My mother is the best mom I could ever ask for. She is strong beautiful and wise. There have been many times where I wanted to quit college. After an horrible college experience I did not want to go back to school. My mother was there and was firm in her stance. I would finish college no matter what. I am now graduating with my BA in June.
Whenever I am in one of my ocd meltdowns there is only one person that I want to talk to it is my mom. My mom may not be trained in mental health. She does her best and helps talk me through things. I know its not easy to deal with - for both of us- but she does it well.
For all mothers of disabled kids, and fathers too. Thanks for loving us, helping us,. Thanks for holding us, talking to us, playing and planing. Motherhood is not an easy job for any parent but you do it and we love you for it. For any mother of a disabled kid who thinks that they are not doing enough for their kid. Let me assure you that you are doing the best you can.
And for my mother.
Thanks for everything that you have done for Princess Bookgirl and me. Love you always.
AZ
My mother is the best mom I could ever ask for. She is strong beautiful and wise. There have been many times where I wanted to quit college. After an horrible college experience I did not want to go back to school. My mother was there and was firm in her stance. I would finish college no matter what. I am now graduating with my BA in June.
Whenever I am in one of my ocd meltdowns there is only one person that I want to talk to it is my mom. My mom may not be trained in mental health. She does her best and helps talk me through things. I know its not easy to deal with - for both of us- but she does it well.
For all mothers of disabled kids, and fathers too. Thanks for loving us, helping us,. Thanks for holding us, talking to us, playing and planing. Motherhood is not an easy job for any parent but you do it and we love you for it. For any mother of a disabled kid who thinks that they are not doing enough for their kid. Let me assure you that you are doing the best you can.
And for my mother.
Thanks for everything that you have done for Princess Bookgirl and me. Love you always.
AZ
Friday, March 25, 2016
National CP Day 2016 : Wishing Out Loud Please Do not pretend
On this national CP Day I have a request. Do not pretend.
I am a 24 year old college senior, who graduates in June. I understand a lot of things. I love to read and devalued Harry Potter Books in my youth. I am very good writer, despite not having the best proof reading skills. While math is not my strong subject, I can count change pretty well and worked at a Cash Register.
Me Jumping rope. Notice my right arm is bent |
The Biggest thing that happens though is my speech. I have a speech impairment. My muscles in my mouth are tight. I do not open my mouth wide when I am talking. I have dysarthria that is the result of Cerebral Palsy.
Please Do not pretend that you understand me when I am speaking.
My real name is hard to say. Its four syllables long with an R in one of its syllables. I hate my name but have no ideas for a new name. I am still considering a new name.
Me Eating a Banana. That is how big my mouth is |
In the meantime if I come up and introduce myself to you and you're not sure what I said, or anyone with a speech impairment please I ask you to to asks us. to repeat what we said We know when you can not understand and it sucks. I know you think that we can not understand the difference and its an awkward situation; however, it hurts.
When you pretend to understand me. I feel disrespected, I feel like what I have to say is not important - which makes it hard especially since I'm nearing the age to enter the l job market. Please presume that I am making sense. Please be a little patient and work with me; ask me to show you, or write it down. Enlist the help of others around you. Let's work together to get my point across. Because what I have to say is important.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party An interview and a chance to work with AZ
Hi guys so today I am featured on Tonia Says. Go check it out.
I am also looking for people to work with me. Cerebral Palsy Party is a book that I have written that explains what CP is to children ( think between the ages of 5-10 ) There are no good books to explain what CP is. Its a picture book without pictures. I am looking for an artist to help bring my book to life.
Here is the flyer
Please share this post to help me find an illustrator.
Don't forget to Wear Green Tomorrow for national CP Day.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party What inclusion look like
Hi guys today is #whatinclusionlookslike twitter chat today. 2pm so I thought I'd show you /tell you.
Inclusion is having parents read your bedtime stories and expose you to books about different cultures and races. Inclusion is knowing that college is expected of you when you graduate high school
Inclusion means having access to the playroom at the same time as your siblings.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Recycle Post Talking and understanding are not mutually exclusive
Add caption |
I am re posting because I will be writing another post related to this topic later this week.
Talking and understanding are not mutually exclusive
Lets say a genius who spoke Latin were to come to the United States. Now lets just say for the sake of the argument that there was no one else who spoke Latin. Is the genius still a genius. Of course many people would say he just needs needs to learn English. Well what if there was a person who could not speak at all and had no device, could he be a genius?
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It angers me as a person living with a speech delay when I hear someone who has no speech due to disabilities, and do not have any device and are placed as limited intellectual ability. It really angers me because the person does not have a opportunity to prove there intelligence one way or the other. Why am I pissed off let me tell you my story.
bookgal princess and az We were so cute |
I was born September 1991 a month prematurely resulting in mild Cerebral Palsy. As a newborn I could not suck from a bottle to well a feeding tube was placed though my throat so I could eat. When my parents took me home I had a hard time breast feeding and my mom had to pump her milk out and put it in a bottle. My muscles were soo weak that feeding took forever.
When I was a toddler I had difficulty communicating. I leaned sign langue to communicate. I remember saying and signing cracker in the kitchen. Using signing I was able to express my wants and needs until my speech came along.
With me and my speech impairment repeating words is frustrating especially when no one understands me. I hear myself speaking clearly, My mind makes the ideas and the words that come out are fuzzy. I remember saying answers in class being told I was wrong and someone said the same thing and got it right. That means that I got the answer right.
Now for me I have a voice . Its not the best but its a voice. As frustrated as I must feel it must be ten times more frustrating for people without a voice. I feel for those people and can not igmane being inside and not having a way to communicate and because of not being able to communicate getting labeled as worthless. Having the school system write you off being isolated from your peers. Being talked to in a high pitch voice every day when you are not a kid. Then because of your physical limitations being labeled as being as smart as a toddler. That is not fair nor is it right. I know all about history understand Spanish and english have a talent for writing can play chess yet I can not say the L R K G sound easily. Does that me not smart no. Now igmane if i could not talk or had a device yes I would not be able to write read and play chess not because I was not smart but because i had not had the opportunities to learn. If you are reading this and have a child who can not communicate my advice is to go to the ends of the earth for your kid, Buy the i pads the dynvoxs help your child find their voice. If your the parent or know someone whose older who can not communicate do the same thing. The sooner you get it the better but do not give up on an older person in fact you need to get the information them faster to make up for loss time. In the meantime continue talking to the person as would with a person as there chronological age. ( So talk to a baby like a baby
All people deserve a chance to connect with others. It does not matter how smart they are everyone wants to connect with others. Think about it this way if the person is said to have an intellectual disability and you talk to them about stuff that is to hard for them then they it will be to hard, but if the child is smart but has not fond their voice they will observe it like a sponge. Please remember speech is very complex and hard but the spoken word is the end result. The process may still be in place.
Monday, March 21, 2016
He Has
He Has been on the earth for 22 years.
He has a great job.
He gets around in our town independently.
He has co workers that adore him.
He loves to play basketball and swim.
He has friends that are close to him that he considers part of his family.
He loves to see movies.
He has his Eagle Scout.
He has an extra chromosome.
Honestly I hope you do not think that he is a different person. He has been a constant friend in my life since I was ten. LM, LM has Down Syndrome, and he is a normal young man. Yes, He does navigate the world without someone. In fact there are times when me him and his best friend, who also has DS, have walked downtown to grab a bagel. I do not live in the same area as they do so they were the ones guiding me. LM is amazing because he is doing things that some said would not happen. I am so proud of LM. He rocks.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party Sorry for the lack activity
I have been busy with finals. Happily that is over and I am on
Tune in next week for
new posts. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party day ten Skiing
I love skiing I have not been in a while but it isn't for lack of asking. I love going down the mountain. Skiing is one of those sports that can be made adaptable for all kids. Click here to see adapted Skiing in action.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party day nine : Ted Talk
Hay guys so I have a final on Wednesday so I am sharing videos. Today's video is a Ted Talk by Shelly More. I met Shelly in a inclusive fb page filled with people with different diagnosis teachers and para educators.Click here to listen.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party day eight Great song
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Palsy Party 2016 Day Seven :General Education Physical Education
I am a big believer in inclusive education, I am a die hard inclusion fan for life, This will never change.
In Academic classes I can pretty much keep up. I can go to class sit down and learn. I can write papers and take tests without modifications. I have never need modifications throughout my school life . My IEP gave me accommodations and speech therapy.
Art Class 2010 |
When it came time for recreational classes art and PE, things looked a lot different. In high school I took a ceramics class. I needed a lot of help because of my fine motor difficulties. I enjoyed painting my pieces and still have a bunch of my work from that class.
Now I am a college senior. When I went to a consular they told me I needed two more units of PE. Ok no problem. I am a big sports fan and my CP is very mild, I walk without any adapted equipment. I took Yoga last semester and Judo, from a Jujutsu perspective
this past quarter. My last class was last night.
Yoga 2015 |
Now judo this semester was much mo. The teacher went very fast but was willing to teach me deferent paces. A big thing that made a whole lot of difference was another student. He works as a PT aide in a hospital and knows all about CP. He was able to break stuff down and allowed me to learn the moves. He gave me balance activities to do. I loved working with him. I wouldn't have been successful without him and am truly sad that class is over because I do not know when we will meet up. We were paired up for the final and he was able to talk me through the moves. I got a lot out of that class because he was there. I think the class would have been more frustrating if he was not in the class. He has made all the difference.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party Day Five:When we are not there you miss out
So yesterday I talked about my friend KB, KB is my good friend from my private school;however, it is lucky that we are still friends,but more on that later.
These past month , I have heard troubling news from three mothers . One parent had pulled her child out of school, another was told despite progress ,he had to switch schools. Another school ,of faith mind you , rejected her child.
These three children resides in the United States. These three children are missing out on a good education. Why? Because these three children have Down Syndrome.
When schools deny students with disabilities they undoubtedly miss out on inclusive education;however , they aren't the only ones who miss out.
GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
They miss out on learning new ways of reaching all learners. They miss out on becoming better teachers and celebrating those little moments that to general education students don't realize;however, when student with significant disabilities does them they realize Just how big these little moments are. They miss out on sharing there knowledge with kids. They miss out of approaching things in a new way. They miss out on all of this because the district , or administrator
GENERAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
Me and a friend from high school playing golf spring 2015 For more on this Click Here |
So about KB. Well when I was kicked out two times at school. I saw him and all my friends from the private school less often. He admitted to me that it was hard to hang out because he was busy with school. As bad as the private school was I am thankful that I went because I made some lifelong friends. But we all missed out because I was not included.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party 2016 : Friendship
Hi guys,
Today I am going to talk about friends, I have mentioned earlier but it is fine time to post an update. A lot of things have changed since I last blogged about this.
You may remember that I used to go to a school that wasn't inclusive. It was a private university. What you may not have known is that I made great friendships there. One of them was a biology student. In fact one of the two reasons , the other being my mother, why I went back in the fall of 2015, was to be around this guy. He is that awesome. He wants to be a doctor and I think he will be the best doctor in the world, he is smart caring and does not judge . He graduated last year, and will be applying to medical school next year. But in the meantime he will be spending some time helping disabled kids and endangered animals in South America for a few months . He leaves tonight. On the last day before he heads to the airport, he spent some time with me. So yes he truly is a friend.
I think the key to a friendships is that we are equal. He helps me if I need help, but I do my part to help him as well. For example , he may drive me to a restaurant, but I pay for the meal. He listened to me when I was having difficulty at my school, and I listen to him as he has problems. I am so glad that I have a friend in him. I will miss him and eagerly await his return in May.
http://www.informationnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/237.jpg
Today I am going to talk about friends, I have mentioned earlier but it is fine time to post an update. A lot of things have changed since I last blogged about this.
You may remember that I used to go to a school that wasn't inclusive. It was a private university. What you may not have known is that I made great friendships there. One of them was a biology student. In fact one of the two reasons , the other being my mother, why I went back in the fall of 2015, was to be around this guy. He is that awesome. He wants to be a doctor and I think he will be the best doctor in the world, he is smart caring and does not judge . He graduated last year, and will be applying to medical school next year. But in the meantime he will be spending some time helping disabled kids and endangered animals in South America for a few months . He leaves tonight. On the last day before he heads to the airport, he spent some time with me. So yes he truly is a friend.
I think the key to a friendships is that we are equal. He helps me if I need help, but I do my part to help him as well. For example , he may drive me to a restaurant, but I pay for the meal. He listened to me when I was having difficulty at my school, and I listen to him as he has problems. I am so glad that I have a friend in him. I will miss him and eagerly await his return in May.
http://www.informationnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/237.jpg
Friday, March 4, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party Day Five Becoming Bullet Proof.
So I just finished watching an amazing documentary and film. Bulletproof is about a bar tender who is under threat by a gambler who wants to take over the bar to make an hotel. Sounds like an ordinary movie right. It is but it isn't as the cast is comprised of people with and without disabilities. All the main characters have a disability whether its Cerebral Palsy Williams Syndrome or Down Syndrome.
Since its Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I am going to talk about AJ. AJ is man that has CP. He is in a wheelchair and tends to be trapped at his home a lot with his mom and sisters. AJ acted in many plays when he was younger so when he heard about the program, which shoots in the LA area, he begs and begs for a chance to go to camp , I tend to do this a lot too. The Film Becoming Bulletproof follows his journey to make Bulletproof.
I really liked this movie. As a disabled advocate I have always been all for inclusion of people with disabilities both among disabled people, physical and intellectual, along with people without disabilities. This movie does both which is refreshing to see. One of the things that was hard to hear as a person with CP was when AJ says that he feels like he doesn't have a chance to give back. As a young person with CP I totally understand where he is coming from. I feel fortune that I am able to give back but it is hard because some people are unwilling to accept the help.
This is a great movie that comes highly recommend.
Here are some links
the Trailer
The movie Bulletproof
Bulletproof RECUT FINAL 720 MED from Zeno Mountain Farm on Vimeo.
A link to the organization Zeno Mountain Farm
Since its Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I am going to talk about AJ. AJ is man that has CP. He is in a wheelchair and tends to be trapped at his home a lot with his mom and sisters. AJ acted in many plays when he was younger so when he heard about the program, which shoots in the LA area, he begs and begs for a chance to go to camp , I tend to do this a lot too. The Film Becoming Bulletproof follows his journey to make Bulletproof.
I really liked this movie. As a disabled advocate I have always been all for inclusion of people with disabilities both among disabled people, physical and intellectual, along with people without disabilities. This movie does both which is refreshing to see. One of the things that was hard to hear as a person with CP was when AJ says that he feels like he doesn't have a chance to give back. As a young person with CP I totally understand where he is coming from. I feel fortune that I am able to give back but it is hard because some people are unwilling to accept the help.
This is a great movie that comes highly recommend.
Here are some links
the Trailer
The movie Bulletproof
Bulletproof RECUT FINAL 720 MED from Zeno Mountain Farm on Vimeo.
A link to the organization Zeno Mountain Farm
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Cerebral Palsy Party Day Three: Inventions that increase independence
Long time readers may remember that I used to have a baby sitter, T, T stayed with us from the time I was in Kindergarten til I graduated from high school.
One of the things that T did for us kids was laundry which meant after she left I had to do my own washing. This posed some challenges for me due to find motor and forgetfulness. When it came to soap I could never navigate the soap. I would load the clothes in the washing machine then have someone help me pour the soap into the right compartment.
When my family discovered pods, pictured below, they totally allowed me to be independent in my laundry. Pods are soap packs that you put into the main compartment with the clothes. It makes it easy to wash. These can be found at many stores and are not too expensive. These help me be independent.
Tide DID NOT SPONSOR THIS POST . THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HERE ARE MY OWN
T and AZ at AZ's High School Graduation 2010 |
One of the things that T did for us kids was laundry which meant after she left I had to do my own washing. This posed some challenges for me due to find motor and forgetfulness. When it came to soap I could never navigate the soap. I would load the clothes in the washing machine then have someone help me pour the soap into the right compartment.
When my family discovered pods, pictured below, they totally allowed me to be independent in my laundry. Pods are soap packs that you put into the main compartment with the clothes. It makes it easy to wash. These can be found at many stores and are not too expensive. These help me be independent.
You put the thing on the right in the wash. |
Tide DID NOT SPONSOR THIS POST . THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HERE ARE MY OWN
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