Nov 20, 2012 | communicating respect, Food Stamps, Government benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, negative perceptions, What some people don't think about |
It started out like any other day. I got up and began my morning routine. Washed my face, brushed my teeth, made myself some toast, and then I sat down at my computer. My ritual is to check email first, then Facebook. Mostly spam in email, nothing new there, but...Sep 29, 2012 | Accessibility, Accommodations, cerebral palsy, communicating respect, Friends, inclusion, Making people comfortable, Ms. Wheelchair America, Ms. Wheelchair America pageant, Ms. Wheelchair Kansas, power of touch, What some people don't think about |
Hopefully, most readers know a simple fact about me by now: I happen to embrace my disability. I’d be the first to tell you that there have been many times throughout my life when my situation has caused frustration and pain. However, I have also been able to...Jul 21, 2012 | Ableism, Attitudes, choices, communicating respect, Family, Good Decisions, Making people comfortable, What some people don't think about |
I was frustrated to no end. I got a call on Thursday afternoon from my mother. I was out and about getting my hair cut and running errands, so she left a message on my cell. “Call me back as soon as you can,” she said. “I have some news that you are...Jul 18, 2012 | Attitudes, communicating respect, disability etiquette, empowering language, negative perceptions, What some people don't think about |
When I had a salesman come to my house this evening, I was prepared for a pitch. I was prepared for him to tell me why he thought what he was selling was necessary for my life. I was ready to listen to everything he had to say and decide for myself if I agreed with...Jul 12, 2012 | Attitudes, changing perspectives, communicating respect, compassion, definition of a hero, Get To Know Me, Heroes, high School, inclusion, Kids, Laughter, Lessons, Making people comfortable, Society, What some people don't think about |
I remember in great detail a day that I was in high school. It may seem insignificant to some. I thought it was at the time myself. But the more years I have behind me, the more I realize that an interaction I had that day just might have been one of the most...Jul 11, 2012 | Ableism, boundaries, communicating respect, doctors, Education, Health, hospitals, medical emergencies, negative perceptions |
A couple of days ago, I spent the evening in the emergency room. Let me just say that when a stone takes up residence in my kidney, and then invites all his friends to the party, it just isn’t any fun for me. A new caregiver of mine was keeping me company. In...