Sep 10, 2016 | Ableism, Attitudes, changing perspectives, communicating respect, disability etiquette, Emotional Freedom Technique, Following Dreams, Get To Know Me, negative perceptions, What some people don't think about, wheelchair dancing |
A few months ago, I wrote a purpose statement for my life. It was an exercise suggested in the book “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield. He is a man I greatly admire for many reasons. As one of the founders of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”, I kind of feel a...Sep 4, 2016 | Ableism, Advocacy, Attitudes, Olympics, Paralympics |
In this season of the Olympics ending in Rio last week and the Paralympics getting ready to begin, I have been thinking about the athletes often lately. It is common knowledge these days that Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, with a total of...Jul 20, 2016 | Ableism, Accessibility, Accommodations, ADA, Advocacy, Attitudes, changing perspectives, disability etiquette, Making Changes, What some people don't think about |
I am a big fan of TED talks. That is Technology, Entertainment Design talks. Not all of them, mind you. Anything over about 15 minutes has to work hard to hold my attention. But every once in awhile I do a random search on YouTube and scan possible videos about...Jul 2, 2016 | Ableism, Attitudes, changing perspectives, communicaiton, communicating respect, CP, Disability and Relationships, disability etiquette, Good Memories |
Picture it. Me, a seventeen-year-old recent high school graduate, ready to leave behind everything familiar, and looking forward to my future with equal parts excitement and terror. But that wasn’t going to happen for a few months yet. It was early on a summer...Apr 5, 2016 | Attitudes, boundaries, caregivers, communicating respect, how to help, overcoming challenges, Psychiatric Diagnosis |
There are some things in life that are simply impossible. Kissing your elbow. Raising only one eyebrow. Sneezing with your eyes open. Try any of them, I double dog dare you. Chances are you will discover they cannot be done. If I may, I would like to add...Dec 21, 2015 | Ableism, Attitudes, changing perspectives, communicating respect, compassion, Diversity, Get To Know Me, inclusion, Independence, kids with disabilities, Look Beyond, negative perceptions |
A few decades ago, when I had fewer miles on my wheelchair and significantly less self-esteem, I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out my place in the world. As I started college, I was hundreds of miles away from home and searching to solidify what I...