Apr 26, 2018 | communicating respect, Disabilitiy, disability etiquette, disability humor, Disabled Sports, empowering language, how to help, inclusion |
As most people know, I was born with cerebral palsy, which means that I have never known any different than living my life accompanied by disability. There were many surgeries when I was young. I was in plaster body casts for months at a time. Not fun during...
Mar 14, 2018 | Ableism, cerebral palsy, Christopher Reeve, communication, Disabilitiy, disability etiquette, empowering language |
I first heard about person first language when I was in graduate school. The concept was familiar to me long before that. The idea that it was much more respectful to refer to “the woman who was blind” rather than “the blind woman” just...
May 12, 2017 | caregivers, cerebral palsy, changing perspectives, communicating respect, Disabilitiy, Disability Blogs, disability etiquette, disability humor, empowering language, Government Programs, Helping people with disabilities, inclusion, power of touch |
When I started my blog almost five years ago, I was because I wanted a way to articulate some of the things I was going through. Living with various diagnoses is challenging on the best of days, and can be frustrating and discouraging on the days that are not so good....
Jan 6, 2017 | Disabilitiy, disability etiquette, empowering language, Helping people with disabilities, inclusion, Journey, people with disabilities |
A few years ago, I was introduced to the concept of mindfulness. I really liked it. The idea of being fully present in every moment, and using our thoughts, senses, and experiences to appreciate every minute that we can. Practicing mindfulness has helped me in many...
Aug 1, 2016 | communicaiton, communicating respect, Deaf, disability etiquette, empowering language, handicapped, how to help, inclusion, Making Changes, negative perceptions, Parking Signs, Power Wheelchairs, Quotes, What some people don't think about |
Words have always been extremely important to me. Well, the right ones, anyway. Mark Twain said it best when he said: “The difference between the right word and almost the right word is like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” I have found that...
Sep 30, 2015 | caregivers, compassion, empowering language, Helping people with disabilities, how to help, Independence, overcoming challenges |
Joshua Gorenflo is one of my current caregivers. He doesn’t fit the mold of who I usually hire. He is 29 years old and married to a wonderful woman named Jenny. He has a degree in Christian ministry. He is also one of the most genuinely compassionate human beings I...
