And so the lies begin!

This is my 100th post--and, of course, it's a vent!

I really don't care what the country's "best scientists" say. Breast self-exams saved my mother's life---so, isn't saving one life worth it? Seriously!!!

This has EVERYTHING to do withe the "timing" no matter what they all say. Yes, I have my "tin cup" on---but give me a break! This is all about giving insurance companies an excuse to NOT pay for early intervention and screening. This is all about medical rationing. PLEASE...spare me the rhetoric. I'm not stupid! What, I have to get genetically tested (via Dr. Nancy S. on The Today Show) in order to PROVE I'm at high risk? I DON'T think so! THIS is the problem with the world today people. Requiring genetic testing so it can be used to discriminate is NOT a good idea. I'd rather "waste" money on screenings---than lose a family member because of the lack there of.

What's next? Should we start refusing PKU heel tests for newborns cause the "numbers" are so low of those actually diagnosed with PKU? Or how about we stop testing children's hearing and vision? Seriously!!!!! Preventative screenings occur for a REASON---and the numbers shouldn't have to be "so unbelievably" high in order to justify the cost of them.

What a bunch of bull!!!

Right here, Right now...

Kay--I'm a couple days late. But, it's been crazy!

But, had to mention something in celebration of freedom! In celebration of the power of people when they choose something right! In celebration of watching the world wake up from history change, in moments!!! Watching the words of a prophet, and millions of prayers peacefully come true!

TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!!!

I was hoping to embed the famous awesome song, titling this post, but nay--copyright law is more important.

So, here's the link. Click and enjoy---but come back, cause I have something else to share!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOyWY6GB3EQ

Saw the news report on this. I love G l e n n C l o s e---but this hits VERY close to home--incredibly close---in more than one way---so right here are right now---let's get rid of the stigma. Stigma is evil, it's horrible, and it permeates everyone's lives and families (and those who work with people) who have a disability or mental illness. It's time--beyond time. Right here, and right now---learn about it, realize it happens in many many families--most likely yours. And good, correct, appropriate treatment (both medical and psychological), and appropriate TREATMENT by others is the key!!! It's time!

Thank you G l e n n!!!!



And, here's the link: http://bringchange2mind.org/

Okay....I'll just have to find the time.....

So, the idea is not leaving me alone....so

http://ldsdisabilityideas.blogspot.com/


Here you go.

I don't have time....but.....

Kay...

I don't have time right now. But, I have been wanting to adapt the Church's Primary manuals for students with disabilities, but incorporating pictures, and altering/modifying/building in accommodations for kids with disabilities like autism, Down Syndrome, etc.

I also want to begin the process of creating a "homebound" curriculum for those with disabilities who cannot come to church, such as because of other health impairments. I think there may have to be levels built into this.

Anyway...SO....I'm looking for ideas. I know I can't do it now (working on comp exams for my PhD and then dissertation), but want ideas from parents out there....

So, if you're a parent, or a Primary/Sunday school/Young Women's/Men's teacher out there, and have some ideas of how things should be modified/improved for your child, send me ideas. I'd LOVE to start a "database" type situation someday, where parents and teachers could come, and utilize the webpage to assist them in the process of adapting/modifying Primary.....not there yet, but let's at least start the discussion!!!!! So, if you have ideas of what you'd like to see, please...comment away!!!!

What I wish....

I've been thinking a lot lately (maybe cause I'm helping to teach a class of younger college students) of what I wish everyone knew about disabilities. So, I'm making a list:

I wish that people would know that pitying someone with a disability is useless....or in other words, I wish everyone knew not to feel sorry for someone with a disability.

I wish everyone knew that empowering people with disabilities mean seeing them as people....not miracles, not "pitiful", not suffering, not "amazing". Just people...everyday people, living life like we all do everyday. Disability is the #1 form of diversity that touches every race, every ethnicity, every culture, every socio-economic level. It touches every age, every group....in the end (if you count age) it touches EVERYONE!!! So, why do we act like it's so "different". It's not. It's as natural a part of life as birth, death, school, driving, etc.

I wish everyone knew that not all people with a disability, nor all their families, wish, nor even think about being "cured". That many are happy with whom they are.

I wish everyone knew how to appropriate accommodate and modify for people with disabilities in church, school, stores, and everyday life. Doing this makes life and learning better for everyone!

I wish all parents of kids with disabilities knew about the sacrifices so many other parents and people with disabilities have made....so that their children now have the rights and freedoms they have (as imperfect as they still are). The parents who know these things....well, lets just say, one can tell.

I wish all special education teachers (well, and everyone for that matter) also knew all the sacrifices others (other special education teachers, students, parents, etc.) have made to promote best practices, get students access and beyond to public school, and truly educate everyone (and provide opportunities....truly equal opportunities....to EVERYONE!!!) So that when they refuse to do their jobs, don't do their jobs well, and accept mediocre (and don't advocate for better) situations and opportunities for their students, they are doing a crappy job, and bringing down not only the profession, but the future for those with disabilities (especially, but not singularly for those with more significant disabilities). This is true for anyone in the "profession" of taking care of people with disabilities, teachers in general, politicians, administrators, higher educators, related service providers, and so forth. We were not placed here to "just do a job"!!! What we do makes a difference...either good or bad!!! So, I wish those who are lazy and don't think "it" is worth their effort would quit making all the rest of us look bad (especially those of us who take our jobs and life missions seriously....and do them the best we possibly can....not matter how other's question us, make our lives difficult, threaten, etc.). Mediocraty (sp?) is not the goal...and those who only work for it should leave!!!

I wish all people knew that a person with a disability is a PERSON FIRST!!!

I wish all people knew that everyone is born with infinite spiritual potential (as well as potential in all other areas of growth). What makes the difference is how we define potential....not what abilities a person does or does not have.

I wish everyone knew the history of people with disabilities throughout history...knew what kind of fights and battles have occurred so even just a few of them could enjoy the minimal amounts of civil rights some now have.

I wish everyone could know that doing for someone is NOT better than teaching them how to do it themselves (even if it means pushing them, and waiting determined while they work to figure it out...no matter how long it may take). This doesn't mean that you don't modify or accommodate, but grabbing someone by the arm and doing for them something that they are capable of is not better.

I wish everyone had a friend with a disability (including more significant disability).

I wish everyone could have experienced inclusion at it's best, as I was blessed to experience some of my growing up.

I wish systems and administrators (including politicians) knew that their unimformed and uneducated decisions really affect people...and that they could experience first hand what these affects are.

I wish that all parents of kids with disabilities could have the respite care they need, didn't have to constantly battle with systems that should be helping them, not hurting them, and could receive all the assistive technology their child and family need for successful inclusion and enjoyment in life.

I wish everyone with a disability could have a job that is Universally Designed.

I wish everyone could know how better our world is, and would be, if it was truly fully accessible to people with disabilities.

I wish that people would realize that it is their fear, hate, prejudice, biases, and attitude that truly disables people.

I wish that ALL people with disabilities were as age appropriate and fully included in their LDS Wards and Stakes as possible (which is much more possible than currently occurs in many wards and stakes, unfortunately).

I wish children and adults with disabilities no longer spent hours of useless hours never meeting any amount of their potential, in institutions throughout the world.

I wish people realized how essential Spiritual progression of EVERYONE, especially those with disabilities (who have had minimal to any opportunity for Spiritual progression) is essential not only for their exaltation, but our own. Bringing the Gospel to ALL, truly means it MUST be brought to ALL, no matter what their abilities are. So, we should all be ensuring this occurs....it is as much a part of the "mission" of the Gospel as any other "missionary" work that occurs!

Stories worth sharing....

Think these are worth sharing:



Delete
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/1-in-8-million/index.html#/naisi_zhao

The Key

Spouting off: The key is, just cause it's your obsession, doesn't mean it's everyone else's. Perhaps finding out why they "don't care" (as you assume they don't, which may not be true at all), and about them, and about their lives may just be they key. Then maybe your intentions won't be to change them, but just to be with them...as they are.

People often wondered how it was that I could do the job I did....I had many a "quick" statement back, cause I hated the patronizing or pitiful tone people would take. The reality was, I just plain love being with people with disabilities....especially the kids I was blessed to work with. When we could work together, learn together, or just BE together, it was bliss. Why? Cause we could truly be whoever we were together.

Oh...and I do take one exception, related to my last post: Ideas are everything when it comes to people's perceptions about those with disabilities. Thus, yes, I do obsess and share my "passion and obsession" passionately with everyone else, whether they like it or not. Because I realize that it is ideas that are not questioned (even when people don't want to be questioned) that caused the horrendous treatment that has happened in the past, and continues.

Thank you for allowing me to vaguely spout off!