Mar 8, 2018 | Attitudes, compassion, Disabilitiy, inclusion, negative perceptions, overcoming challenges |
When I was about three years old, my family moved into a new house. One summer day a few months after we settled in, my brother and sister were playing at the end of the driveway. I wanted to see what they were doing, and so with shorts on and no socks or shoes, I...Jun 26, 2017 | Advocacy, America, compassion, Disabilitiy, Government benefits, Government Programs, Helping people with disabilities, inclusion, McDonalds, Medicaid, service dogs |
It’s time for me to share a story. No, this one doesn’t have handsome princes or fairy godmothers waving magic wands. Although I wish it did. That would be so much easier. This is my Medicaid story, and I want to share it in order to put a human face behind the...Apr 22, 2017 | Advocacy, compassion, Disabilitiy, Get To Know Me, how to help, Mental Illness, negative perceptions, Psychiatric Diagnosis |
The question usually comes from good friends, at a time when I am struggling. They want to know how to help me the most. What is it like to have a psychiatric diagnosis? It’s like there is a dark cloud following me all the time. It isn’t always directly...Jan 11, 2017 | Ableism, Advocacy, America, communicating respect, compassion, Disabilitiy, Helping people with disabilities, how to help, inclusion, negative perceptions |
I had to think about it. For a while. Since I don’t have cable, I didn’t watch the Golden Globe awards in real time last Sunday night. But several of my friends sent me the video of Meryl Steep’s speech and asked me my opinion. And after a few days of watching the...Dec 7, 2016 | boundaries, compassion, Disabilitiy, Disability and Relationships, Engaged, Helping people with disabilities, inclusion, power of touch, premature babies |
It’s something I don’t talk about often. Because it is both awkward and not easily understood. As a person affected by cerebral palsy, an advocate, and a teacher in various respects, I often find myself writing about issues that affect people with...Nov 5, 2016 | Attitudes, boundaries, choices, communicating respect, compassion, Disabilitiy, disability etiquette, Get To Know Me, Learning to let go, negative perceptions, What some people don't think about |
A caregiver and I were out and about running errands one afternoon a few years ago and decided to stop in a restaurant for lunch before heading home. Looking the hostess in the eye, I said that we needed a table for two. She ignored me. It was not until my caregiver...