What to do when you have a "differently abled" student in your class from?

Okay Guys,

So I'm still recovering from my big birthday week adventures.. It's surprising how just a matter of a few days can zap your energy supply.

While I'm recovering though. I figured you would appreciate this article. It's five suggestions on how to adapt the classroom for a disabled student. I know how important learning was to me, so I want everyone to be able to have the same opportunity. Hope you enjoy!
http://chronicle.com/blogPost/5-Suggestions-Concerning/23040/

By the way, I'm looking for suggestions on how to improve my blog. It's been coming increasingly difficult to find new stuff regarding disability in general as well as new technologies. Does anybody have any suggestions for me. I would really appreciate it.

Encouragement: True Devotion

Dear readers,

I've often said I don't know what I would do without my parents...

A lot of disabled people feel the same way I do.

Ergo this article.

Take the time to read it.it will remind you to not take the people in your life for granted.

Enjoy!

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Cerebral-palsy-sufferer-Matthew39s-message.6134839.jp

Birthday adventures and glee article

Welcome Back Readers~

Well, it's official! I turned 30 last week. To be honest, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. I don't feel old; a really don't. Anyway, I had a wonderful birthday full of unexpected surprises. Probably one of my most memorable birthdays to date. As previously written, one of my best friends and roommate from the old apartment in Michigan came to visit. We had a high old time going to movies, shopping, and just plain hanging out! I'm impressed to see how much she has accomplished since I left. She's going back to school herself for a degree in technology and making waves in other areas of her life as well.. Kind of makes me wonder where my life is heading, but I am excited to find out.

I will have admit sometimes I do wonder what would have happened if I would have had the courage to stay in Michigan by myself. Would I be more independent? Would I still be living with rondalyn? Would I be dating? These are questions that I will never know the answers too; but they stick with me a lot most days... Anyway, I don't live in what if 's. Thanks for listening to my thoughts for the day.

Onto today post, you've heard me discuss the topic of disability in regards to the TV show "Glee". Well, I came across an interview with actress Lauren Potter. Lauren plays Becky Jackson, a student with down syndrome who joined the cheerleading squad.
Http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/04/12/lauren-potter-glee/7618/

Diet may have a bigger impact on Alzheimer's then we first thought

Dear readers,

it's that time of the week- Friday. But not just any Friday; the Friday before my birthday. Not only am I exhausted from a stressful week, but I'm anxiously awaiting a visit from a friend. That being said, I'm not quite sure how much time I will be in my computer next week. Anyway, onto today's post. Recently, I came across a news segment regarding the link between a person's dietary habits and the likelihood of getting Alzheimer's disease. According to research, a Mediterranean diet rich in fish and olive and low in red meat and saturated fats may reduce the risk of the disease and some people. Key nutrients such as monounsaturated fats, Omega 3 and six fatty acids, vitamins E., B12 and folate can be found in such a diet. What kind of food has these nutrients, you may ask?

Nuts, olive oil based salad dressings, fish, and dark green and leafy vegetables are just a few items on the list,

-- --
Citation for TV Program: "Health Alert " Fox channel 5 WTTG DC, News at 5 pm, April 14, 2010.

Encouragement: Patrick Henry - Achieving Acceptance Is Not Always Easy, But Well Worth the Obstacles

Hello everyone~

As promised, here is the next installment of my review on Patrick Henry's book I Am Potential; Last week, I explored the role of Patrick Henry's mother in attempting to create a bridge of understanding towards his disability. This wasn't always easy as evident by my last Patrick Henry as well as my own relating my recent personal experiences. But there are always two sides to every story. Today, I'm going to focus on the majority of people who do understand that a disability in no way makes you less of a person.

The Louisville marching band, the "Extreme makeover" cast and crew are among the majority of people that make Patrick Henry feel accepted and loved"These people get it; they understand I'm more like them than I am different from them... I thrive on acceptance and being thought of as a valuable human being and not someone to be pitied." He said.

How should you approach someone that's different than you?

Here is Patrick Henry's response:

"Go in the opposite direction and look for all the ways the person is just like you!"

That doesn't mean the road to acceptance is the easy one; it is not.. Especially when you've been devastated by the news that life didn't turn out like you planned. This is when you have to put away the dreams you once had for yourself and a loved one, creating new ones (more achievable) for the person.

This takes time. As evident by John Henry's journey.

"From the earliest months of Patrick Henry's life, I didn't fully grasp the many challenges we'd have to face as parents; Patricia, on the other hand, knew the depth of our situation right from the start.. she also knew that for the most part she'd be doing this alone or at best, dragging me along for the ride!" John Henry says.

After all, what could be done to help this situation?

So for a while, Patrick's father continued with his daily routine of work and men's outings. Through it all, Patricia understood.. Giving him credit even when he didn't deserve it. Occasionally, though, there were times of great bonding between father and son; these quiet times consisted of simply napping together with Patrick on his chest.

Personal Update

So,
It's no secret I have been struggling lately. Who wouldn't, especially having a disability? As a fellow blogger recently put it, "sometimes it just slaps you in the face."

What does it say, you may ask?

My reply is: "This is your life! Just deal with it.."

But sometimes I just can't. Overall, I work with caring people who know me and accept me for who I am at my core- a 29-year-old (almost 30) young woman stuck in a body that doesn't work. But I'm not always going going to be that lucky. I know this. I accept it. But that doesn't mean it's easy for me.

Take this week for example. My original personal care assistant is away on vacation visiting family. So I am dealing with another personal care assistant until she returns sometime after my birthday. I know she is trying, and I am as well. But it just ain't working.. As I have stated in previous posts, finding people who understand me is key. Because if you don't understand me, how can you help me?

Then, there is the usual hurdles of getting people to treat you as the adult that you are, capable of making your own decisions. The "mothering" instinct is what I'm talking about here..

Still, I cope, knowing that this situation is just temporary. But it frustrates me, knowing this will always be a part of my life that I'm going to deal with- people coming in and out of my life in order to sustain my independent living. But as I have said, my parents aren't always going to be here- so better to prepare myself ahead of time.

I just wish I had better coping skills.

Anyway, there's my personal update. I have enclosed several other links to similar posts on coping with your disability and personal assistants:

http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/2010/01/blog-post.html

http://lifeofthedifferentlyabled.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/the-flip-side-of-personal-care-attendants/

What Gives You Hope?

Okay,

So it's raining outside today and I'm not feeling my best. It's one of those days when you ask yourself why you got up in the first place. To stop this attitude before it continues, I decided to post this web address. It features "the things they give you hope" an idea that has made its way through the Internet.

So what gives you hope?

Here are a couple of mine:

1. Messages in music
2. Jesus
3. Understanding that my situation is temporary
4. Little surprise by friends
5. My nieces and family

http://cheesechalkandcp.blogspot.com/2010/04/things-that-give-me-hope.html

The Perspective Of Outsiders: A Mother's struggle to shed light on her Son's. (Patrick Henry) disability..

Hello Everyone,

I know it's been a while since we last visited the Patrick Henry book review, but I'm ready to work through my difficulties and push forward. Granted, I'm not feeling my best; but you'll get the information and it will be helpful no matter what I'm going through. You didn't come here for me anyway, you came to hear my message.

On a side note, I recently watched a movie on HBO called Julie and Julia. It's a movie based on the book by Julie Powell who uses Julia Child's famous cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" to spice up her daily routine. To commemorate her journey, she allows readers to follow her adventures by writing a blog. This is where it got interesting; some people criticized her for the blog, saying it was "self-indulgent and self centered" I am bringing this up because I want my readers to know that this blog is for them and if I ever get that way to please warn me. In some ways, her friends were right a blog is often focused on one person's feelings and opinions, but that's only if you choose to make it that way. A blog can be helpful as well. For example, I feature many on my side bar that keep their readers as well as their overall purpose in mind (informing people about disabilities).


As I said, today we will be continuing my review of the Patrick Henry book, "I Am Potential". When we last left the book, we were revealing Mrs. Hughes take on her son's disability. As with most mothers, Ms. Hughes was the driving force behind the family- researching her son's disability, searching for solutions to problems and giving him the best education possible.
But there's one perspective we don't like to talk about much- The perspective of the outsiders (a.k.a. the Uneducated [I'm talking about a disability here, nothing else! ]) This includes people who continue to look down on a person with a disability with feelings of pity or disgust. True, it's a part of life; but something no one can ever get used..

Especially mothers.

Because they know their child better than anyone could.

One day, though, it all got to be too much and she found herself crying.

"You know what? I'm strong. I'm facing challenges people can't even imagine and I'm coping ... I am handling it! Maybe my son isn't progressing as much as the other childrens and maybe maybe he won't be a star athlete or great brain surgeon someday.Maybe he'll never even reach the lofty perch of being average; but I'll tell you this, he'll be everything he's able to be,"

Like many parents, Patrick's mom believed that anything was possible as long as you put your mind to it. Self-pity was useless and it only brought you down.

Yes, Patrick Henry was anything but typical. But who was? Everyone has their own problems to deal with; they were just honored to be able to concentrate on Patrick and his "small victories"

New season of Little People, Big World.

Welcome back,

A new season of Little people, Big World began last week. A lot has changed for the family, and yet a lot of remains the same. The boys (Jeremy and Zach) are enjoying college, growing closer as brothers as well as individuals. In the season opening, that closeness is tested by a hiking adventure through London and Amsterdam..

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/tlc-premiere-new-little-people-big-world-episodes-on-april-5-10559.php

Speak the Truth in Love

Hey Guys,

I came across this short blog post and documentary a few weeks ago and I'm not sure whether I featured it or not. It features real people with real disability and their struggle to live independently. Listen to their words and search your heart. What can you do to wipe out ignorance toward people with disabilities?

http://wheeliecatholic.blogspot.com/2010/04/speak-truth-not-ignorance-short.html