Welcome Back Readers
I was watching Home And Family as I usually do and came across this inspiring interview with Jesse London As a child, Jessie was diagnosed with alopecia. For those of you that are unfamiliar, this is a auto immune disease that makes your hair fall out. Now there are three types of alopecia, but the type we are talking about here is alopecia Areata, which involves all of the hair on the body. It is important to note this condition is not contagious and can happen to anyone; it is not a discriminate of age, race or ethnicity.
You can just imagine the Jesse’s reaction, right? Not. Immediately, he wants to have in the assembly raising awareness about condition; he even has been asked to speak at other schools. Jesse has even gone as far as writing a comic book on the condition in the hopes of making it seem less scary and more acceptable.
“Everyone who is different in any kind of way, they shouldn't hide their difference, and they should embrace their difference, and they shouldn't feel ashamed of it."
This young boy reminds me of verse in I Timothy that says," “ Don’t let anyone look down on you) because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
For more information on this cause, please go to:
https://www.projectjesse.com/
https://childrensalopeciaproject.org/
Showing posts with label what are you staring at?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label what are you staring at?. Show all posts
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Monday, May 17, 2010
What Would You Do Exclusive Scenario
Hey Everyone,
We've all experienced some type of discrimination in our lives. These scenarios, although painful, are instrumental in building a person's character and integrity. During these trials, begin to see ourselves for who we are and what we believe. That's exactly what Wednesday 's Primetime Special Of What Would You Do? points out on a regular basis. Specifically, I would like to talk about yesterday's episode featuring a Down Syndrome grocery bagger.
In this scenario, our Downs Syndrome bagger (played by actor Josh Uber [?]) faces harsh criticism about his bagging techniques. The situation, although staged, gave an accurate portrayal of what people with disabilities encounter on a daily basis such as being subjected to slurs like being called a "retard" or suggesting that it would take Josh forever. Over the course of two days, ABC observed people's responses. Not surprisingly (at least for me), most kept quiet, keeping their opinions to themselves. Why? They either said they were afraid to get involved or that they weren't sure of the consequences if they stood up for him.
What can we learn from this?
A lot.
Please go to ABC.com to see the actual footage from the show. There were some pretty remarkable people that stood up for Josh during the experiment. A few, but enough. You know what they say, "Evil thrives when good men do nothing." Anyway, please take the time to watch the show. You will be touched.. I was! I thought about putting some of the favorite quotes down on paper, but I figure it impacts you more if you see for yourself.
Other episodes Of What Would You Do air on Fridays at 9 PM
Correction, the clips can't be shown on ABC but you can find them on hulu.com @
http://www.hulu.com/watch/150912/what-would-you-do-who-stops-grocery-clerk-abuse#s-p1-so-i1
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Citation for TV program: "Primetime: What Would You Do" ABC Channel 7 WJLA, 19 May 2010.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kayleigh's story
Welcome Back,
How did everybody's weekend go? Mine went off without a hitch. It's going to be my brother's 30 birthday this week, so my sister-in-law and my family decided to throw him a surprise birthday party. He didn't suspect a thing. I was surprised by how many people he knows from around here. Of course, he's been living here longer than we have. Every year, I continue to be amazed by the new perspective that my brother has given me. He has grown so much, experienced so much; I can only hope to follow in his footsteps.
As long as I'm reminiscing, thinking about how far my brother and I have come, reminds me how grateful I am to be alive. To make a long story short, I was born 2 1/2 months early and had to spend 37 days in the University of Michigan Holden Intensive Care Unit for "preemies". My stay there lasted for about a month before I was finally able to go home. They didn't know it then, but my parents would later find out that I would have cerebral palsy. I am amazed at how far I have come since those days of breathing tubes etc. I trust that God will do great things through my life, using my testimony of struggles to bring glory to his name.
But not everyone is so lucky. Recently, I came across the story of the Freeman family. This remarkable young couple gave birth to their daughter Kayleigh over a year ago and still haven't been able to take her home. Kayleigh is considered the 1 pound miracle to her family as well as to millions around the world. This family is a testimony of great strength through adversity and hope to all of whom they touch. Whatever happens, I'm sure God has great plans for little Kayleigh -on earth or in Heaven.
http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/
How did everybody's weekend go? Mine went off without a hitch. It's going to be my brother's 30 birthday this week, so my sister-in-law and my family decided to throw him a surprise birthday party. He didn't suspect a thing. I was surprised by how many people he knows from around here. Of course, he's been living here longer than we have. Every year, I continue to be amazed by the new perspective that my brother has given me. He has grown so much, experienced so much; I can only hope to follow in his footsteps.
As long as I'm reminiscing, thinking about how far my brother and I have come, reminds me how grateful I am to be alive. To make a long story short, I was born 2 1/2 months early and had to spend 37 days in the University of Michigan Holden Intensive Care Unit for "preemies". My stay there lasted for about a month before I was finally able to go home. They didn't know it then, but my parents would later find out that I would have cerebral palsy. I am amazed at how far I have come since those days of breathing tubes etc. I trust that God will do great things through my life, using my testimony of struggles to bring glory to his name.
But not everyone is so lucky. Recently, I came across the story of the Freeman family. This remarkable young couple gave birth to their daughter Kayleigh over a year ago and still haven't been able to take her home. Kayleigh is considered the 1 pound miracle to her family as well as to millions around the world. This family is a testimony of great strength through adversity and hope to all of whom they touch. Whatever happens, I'm sure God has great plans for little Kayleigh -on earth or in Heaven.
http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 28, 2007
What Are You Staring at?: Small Voices For a New Generation
Hello everyone,
A lot of people talk about the technological advances being made in an effort to help people live more independently as a productive citizens of the USA. Some simply view these advances as just another useful tool helping them to get through another difficult day with a disability; whereas, others view this technology as in "opening to a whole new world". Either way, people view technology, I think we are missing out on a fundamental truth.
What is that truth?
Change begins from within..
To put it more simply, change begins with me. Or anyone that is, wanting to make a difference in this world. I may have written about this topic once or twice before, but I think it's worthwhile mentioning again. (Note: Although from now on, I think I am going to start using the labels to make sure I don't end up repeating myself over and over again! LOL..) Anyway, this point was reiterated to me again through a unique Nick News Special called What Are You Staring at? The show featured a panel of outspoken people (both young and old) living with the a variety of disabilities. In this 30 minute panel discussion, the group attempts to answer some difficult questions. Some of the questions centered around the age-old dilemma To Help or not to Help: when does the line stop? as well as when exactly is the appropriate time for questions. The panel is also joined by well-known disability advocates John Hockenberry and Christopher Reeve (1952-2004). Although this program is over five years ago, I think there are many important lessons that still can be heard through the voices of these wise young children.
In order to save time, I will attempt to consolidate the most poignant answers to all these issues. The first being, is it appropriate to stare at someone because they are different.
The obvious answer is no. But here's why.. Christopher Reeve put it best when he said, " No matter what kind of condition you're in, we're all part of a big family and we only become strangers when we look away." He continues, "There is no reason for us to be strangers."
The debate over whether to help someone with a disability has also brought controversy. In my case, I can often understand why. Usually disabled people want to have the opportunity to try to accomplish things on their own before finally asking for help. However, it is not impolite to ask if they need your assistance in any way. Danielle who has CP and is also blind explains, "if I am struggling and if the door is really heavy, mainly out of common courtesy, most people open the door."
Why is the response so little?
Hockenberry says it is most often fear that holds people back. He says people are often afraid they will be judged by their offer to help "as if if they say or do the wrong thing, I'm going to whip some 911 and get the disability police to come." He goes on to explain that a person's experiences and personality should be the first thing that people see when looking at someone with a disability.
Christopher Reeve adds that people should not shy away from possible awkward experiences just because someone is disabled. Take for example the simple act of shaking hands. "I'm not offended by that at all because it's just a habit that they want to greet me. Anything that comes from a legitimate motivation to make contact is great," Reeve said.
Where does this fear come from? It can come from a variety of sources.. Sometimes even family members. "I think a lot of the time, parents, adults don't know, so they keep their children from learning.. because they don't know and they 're scared," said Danielle
To ask is always a better thing to do.
Let's take a look back at the history of disabled people as well as efforts to ensure the rights of the disabled, shall we?
Originally, the disabled population was considered second rate in the United States. In fact, before 1975, there were no laws protecting the rights and freedoms of the disabled. The truth is, ensuring our rights is still sometimes difficult. In 1975, Congress passed the individuals with Disabilities Act. This law guarantees that all children, no matter what their physical or mental limitations have access to a free and public education. This includes any special equipment needed to encourage the learning process. But what about when you become an adult and start looking for a job? This is where the American With Disabilities come into play. This law ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights as someone else. Building accessibility is just one of the major issues discussed in this law.
In general, the theme of the show was patience and persistence during any difficult time. Here are just some of my favorite quotes from some wise youngsters.
Daneille: "We can do anything that anyone else can do. We just do it differently."
Jon: "What I've got is what I've got and I think it's much more interesting for me to make the most out of what I have been to think about something that may be possible sometime in the far future."
Danielle: "You look at what you can do. You don't dwell on what you can't do."
Christopher Reeve: "Whatever happens, you gotta press forward and not just say oh well this is the end. It's never the end, you've gotta move forward,"
I think it is about time as the host said, to focus more on what we can do and what we can't.
--
Citation for TV Program: "What Are You Staring at? , Nickelodeon channel 59 Detroit, at 6 a.m. , September 26, 2007. (Original air date: September 6, 2001)
A lot of people talk about the technological advances being made in an effort to help people live more independently as a productive citizens of the USA. Some simply view these advances as just another useful tool helping them to get through another difficult day with a disability; whereas, others view this technology as in "opening to a whole new world". Either way, people view technology, I think we are missing out on a fundamental truth.
What is that truth?
Change begins from within..
To put it more simply, change begins with me. Or anyone that is, wanting to make a difference in this world. I may have written about this topic once or twice before, but I think it's worthwhile mentioning again. (Note: Although from now on, I think I am going to start using the labels to make sure I don't end up repeating myself over and over again! LOL..) Anyway, this point was reiterated to me again through a unique Nick News Special called What Are You Staring at? The show featured a panel of outspoken people (both young and old) living with the a variety of disabilities. In this 30 minute panel discussion, the group attempts to answer some difficult questions. Some of the questions centered around the age-old dilemma To Help or not to Help: when does the line stop? as well as when exactly is the appropriate time for questions. The panel is also joined by well-known disability advocates John Hockenberry and Christopher Reeve (1952-2004). Although this program is over five years ago, I think there are many important lessons that still can be heard through the voices of these wise young children.
In order to save time, I will attempt to consolidate the most poignant answers to all these issues. The first being, is it appropriate to stare at someone because they are different.
The obvious answer is no. But here's why.. Christopher Reeve put it best when he said, " No matter what kind of condition you're in, we're all part of a big family and we only become strangers when we look away." He continues, "There is no reason for us to be strangers."
The debate over whether to help someone with a disability has also brought controversy. In my case, I can often understand why. Usually disabled people want to have the opportunity to try to accomplish things on their own before finally asking for help. However, it is not impolite to ask if they need your assistance in any way. Danielle who has CP and is also blind explains, "if I am struggling and if the door is really heavy, mainly out of common courtesy, most people open the door."
Why is the response so little?
Hockenberry says it is most often fear that holds people back. He says people are often afraid they will be judged by their offer to help "as if if they say or do the wrong thing, I'm going to whip some 911 and get the disability police to come." He goes on to explain that a person's experiences and personality should be the first thing that people see when looking at someone with a disability.
Christopher Reeve adds that people should not shy away from possible awkward experiences just because someone is disabled. Take for example the simple act of shaking hands. "I'm not offended by that at all because it's just a habit that they want to greet me. Anything that comes from a legitimate motivation to make contact is great," Reeve said.
Where does this fear come from? It can come from a variety of sources.. Sometimes even family members. "I think a lot of the time, parents, adults don't know, so they keep their children from learning.. because they don't know and they 're scared," said Danielle
To ask is always a better thing to do.
Let's take a look back at the history of disabled people as well as efforts to ensure the rights of the disabled, shall we?
Originally, the disabled population was considered second rate in the United States. In fact, before 1975, there were no laws protecting the rights and freedoms of the disabled. The truth is, ensuring our rights is still sometimes difficult. In 1975, Congress passed the individuals with Disabilities Act. This law guarantees that all children, no matter what their physical or mental limitations have access to a free and public education. This includes any special equipment needed to encourage the learning process. But what about when you become an adult and start looking for a job? This is where the American With Disabilities come into play. This law ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights as someone else. Building accessibility is just one of the major issues discussed in this law.
In general, the theme of the show was patience and persistence during any difficult time. Here are just some of my favorite quotes from some wise youngsters.
Daneille: "We can do anything that anyone else can do. We just do it differently."
Jon: "What I've got is what I've got and I think it's much more interesting for me to make the most out of what I have been to think about something that may be possible sometime in the far future."
Danielle: "You look at what you can do. You don't dwell on what you can't do."
Christopher Reeve: "Whatever happens, you gotta press forward and not just say oh well this is the end. It's never the end, you've gotta move forward,"
I think it is about time as the host said, to focus more on what we can do and what we can't.
--
Citation for TV Program: "What Are You Staring at? , Nickelodeon channel 59 Detroit, at 6 a.m. , September 26, 2007. (Original air date: September 6, 2001)
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