I have a dream…

Wether you can walk, talk, see, and hear or you have a disability one thing is for sure; we are all people.  Some of us are discriminated against, but I have a dream to fix that. 

     I have a dream that one day everyone will use People-First language.  People-First language is a way to form a sentence where you put the person's name and their accomplishments before you state that they have a disability.  

     I have a dream that one day all buildings will be accessible.  That every building will be designed so that EVERYONE can utilize it's features.  

     I have a dream that one day everyone is treated with the same respect.  That no one will be funneled into different classrooms just because they have a disability and no one talked down to or treated like a child because they look different.  

     I have a dream that one day people will be seen for their ABILITIES; not for their disability.  I have a dream that one day everyone will be treated equally because we are all people; the same but different.  This is my dream and I hope it comes true. 

We Are All Great!!

I believe that the people in your life cross your path for one of two reasons; to build you up or make you stronger.  Some may consider the people who make them stronger their enemies but your enemies or anyone who takes part in anything you may consider bad is just making you more tolerant, forgivable, companionate and strong.  The other person is the one who you can talk to and confide in, the one who makes you happy or bring your spirits up; your friend.  And I lied, up above, there is a third type of person that crosses your path.  A person that both brings you up and makes you stronger.  A person makes you happy but can also make you mad.  

     I was having a conversation with of these people today and he said something that couldn't believe came out of his mouth.  He's the third type of person.  The one that can make you but can also make you mad.  Well, he noticed I was sad and he said, "For every thing that you consider less average about yourself there are more that are above average."   That made me happy, which was his goal. 

     What he is saying is that there are more good qualities than bad in a person.  None of us are perfect and we will never be, but all of us are great.  

     There are three types of people in this world.  The mindful thinkers, the physically strong, and the spiritually strong.  And we are all great!

Day in a Chair

October 23, 2013 marked the first Day in a Chair Program at a high school!  Day in a Chair was an event where 12 of my peers and my principal at Point Loma High School got to spend their school day using wheelchairs.  At the end of the we all met in the library and discussed our struggles and experiences of the day.   And with being in a wheelchair myself, it was really interesting to hear all the experiences and struggles of my peers.

Here is a short documentary of the day made by the video production class at Point Loma High School;

http://youtu.be/Ww8Unknmh5c

People First

This blog has become my diary, but that was not the original plan.  The original plan was to have a detached blog about how to treat people who have disabilities, but I'm not good at detaching myself and people seem to like my thoughts and experiences.  It's still about how to treat people with disabilities; treat us like typical people because that's what we are.  Human beings.  

     There are about 1,093 people who have read my blog.  A lot of you are new and some of you have been reading for a while now, but what I hope you've all done is read every single one of my posts.  What I hope you've all seen is that I'm a person with feelings, struggles and beliefs.  I'm not a 'wheelchair person' or a 'disabled person'   I am a PERSON WHO HAS A DISABILITY.  

     No matter what kind of disability a person might have, wether it be physical or cognitive (mental), we are still people.  This is why when you are describing a person who has a disability in a sentence you should always put the person before the disability to portray that we are people and that we are NOT are disability.  There is more to a person than just their disability.  You can see that in my blog.  There is more to me than just my disability.  

     So, don't talk to us like we're baby's.  Don't shout at us like we can't hear you or understand you.  Don't help us before asking.  And ALWAYS put the person first!

Christmas Love; Holiday Spirit

I love Christmas!  Not for the presents, though.  I love it for the FAMILY LOVE.  

     My brothers ex-girlfriend once asked me, "If no one gave presents on Christmas would it still be your favorite holiday?"  The answer is "yes" because although the presents are fun to give and receive, I more so love the family time.  As crazy or as loud as we might be, I love seeing us talk and laugh.  I love seeing and feeling the support, kindness and love. 

     I know that I'm more blessed than some people with my family, but there is someone who loves you.  Wether your family is really disfunctional or not; wether it's few people or a huge family there is always someone who loves you.  God is also always loving and always there for you. 

     Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!