Another show highlights disability issues

Hello all,

I thought I would get a early start on next week's blog posts. As I have stated before, I recently got a job that may delay me from posting at a regular basis. I'm going to try to keep things up for my regular readers. I don't make any promises though. I am going to try to make as many hours as I can since my dream is to move out some time soon. That's going to take a lot of money and a lot of work. But it's a goal worth working for. In fact, I have a meeting with a apartment complex to look at one apartment this week. So, we will see how everything turns out.

Anyway, onto today's post..

During the last few posts, I've noticed a pattern amerging. That pattern being, "Understanding Disabilities." Now, this may simply be because there are no noteworthy topics of disability related interest in the news lately; but I believe otherwise. As a disabled person, I find myself encountering daily obstacles that attempt to undermine my worth as a person and well a productive citizen of the United States of America. Many of these obstacles stems from the the misunderstandings of the disabled community. In an effort to clear up such misunderstandings, people like myself and other disabled citizens are helping to provide a more accurate portrayal by pointing out serotypes and correcting them.

Take for example the recent play "The Jellybean Conspiracy."

The play has three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of disability. The first and most compelling would be comparing a disability to a jellybean. That is, everyone is born differently. One person may be of a different color (i.e. race, ethnicity) or built of a different body type (tall, skinny etc.), but everyone is good. The second half of the play focuses on a family's reaction to a potential disability. This half was adapted from a award winning play by Linda Daugherty. In the original, the story is about a young sister dealing with the realities of having a sibling with autism.

A number of disabled participants were involved in the performance.

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Citation:

Diepenbrock, George.. "Show highlights disability issues" (Lansing's Journal & World News) ljworld.com 27 September 2007. 15 October 2007 http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/sep/27/show_highlights_disability_issues/

A rare occurrence.. Still

Okay,

Let me begin this post by saying this is going to be a rare occurrence on my blog. I know what you are saying to yourself, "But there is nothing different about this post." But that's not entirely correct. Thanks to blogger.com, I am able to write entries early and date them accordingly. That being said, this entry may look like it was done on Friday when in reality it's being done today-Wednesday, October 10, 2007. (Okay, so I am rambling. But I thought that would be of interest to you .) Anyway, another reason this is going to be a rare occurrence is because I have decided that for this post I am going to let another person do the "talking" for a change.

Let me explain.

Many of you have heard me talk about Joni Erickson Tada in my previous posts. For those new to my blog, a brief review. Joni Erickson Tada is a inspiring women who decided to turn a tragic diving accident, which left her a quadriplegic, into a blessing from God. She is now in charge of her own ministry and uses her story to motivate others to use their tragedies for good.

Today I was looking through my e-mail and I found that she has a new TV program coming out. Unfortunately, I am not able to receive the channel because it is part of the new DirecTV package. But I thought I would pass on the information for those of you who are looking for a encouraging word and are lucky enough to receive the channel on their cable networks.

Enclosed is a small article taken from the Joni and friends online magazine. I hope they don't mind me using it. But I think her words describe the show best.

"Joni and Friends TV Premiere!
Joni and Friends, a new television program hosted by Joni Eareckson Tada, highlights a refreshingly honest approach to people’s toughest questions about the goodness of God in a world shattered by pain and suffering. Through dramatic and powerful glimpses into the lives of real people who have endured--or are still enduring--heart wrenching trials, Joni and her guests put scripture to the toughest of tests, showing why God is worth believing and how to trust Him in the toughest of times. In this unique program, we meet with exceptional people who inspire
Joni. Joni and Friends is a half-hour of riveting images, soulstirring stories, and proof-positive truths from the heart of God’s Word which will change your life.Joni and Friends premieres October 19 at 7:00 p.m. EST on DirecTV’s NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) network
(channel 378), so check your local listings! Each episode will also be available on DVD through http://joniandfriendstv.org (goeslive October 5th), in case you don’t have DirecTV."

Debbie

PS. Another reason I did this early was so that I wouldn't forget. Chuckle.

See you next week

Encouragement: The Journey to A Life of Gannet's Own

Okay,

So not much is happening in my life right now. I am gearing up to start my new job this week,; although realistically, I still have a lot to do before I dive right into researching. Still, I'm getting excited. At least I will have something new to occupy my time, rather than always focusing on the entertainment frenzy. You probably know what I'm talking about-- reality and talk shows etc. Except for this blog, I can't help but feel I'm not doing much that is really productive lately. But then again, there's not much to do but wait. I don't like waiting though, considering all of my friends have had such an easy time a life of their own. I am ready to start my own ; plus I think it is just about time! Along with the job, I am also looking at some different housing opportunities. Although a lot of that depends on how the job goes and where I decide to permanently live in the near future, seeing as though my parents are thinking of moving back to Maryland sometime soon. So I really don't know.

Anyway, onto today's post.

Let me begin by posing a question.. a question quite appropriate considering the circumstances.. Chuckle

When is the appropriate time to move out and began a life of your own?

Gannet's mom is also trying to find the answers to those questions and more in the PBS documentary, "The Key of G."

This documentary chronicles the life of 22-year-old Gannet as he moves out on his own with the help of four personal assistants. This is all part of the state-funded project in a effort to keep disabled people from being institutionalized. People like Gannet. Born developmentally disabled, he is also partially blind. He is able to communicate using a communication book with a number of common phrases and words . Despite all this, Amy is determined to give her son the best normal life she can.

"I'm really looking forward to having a life of my own and I think Gannet is a ready to have a life of his own. He needs peers, he needs energy; he's got this great group of caregivers, you know, artist and musician, and it's kind of their influence that leads me to believe that it is time for him to move out," said Amy.

That type of friendship is hard to find for most people. However, the group sees Gannet as more than just a client, but a unique individual.

"One of the best parts of the job is watching people like start understanding that he is a person. A full person," said Donal.

Gannet spends the majority of his time playing the piano. He also enjoys playing with his toy cars as well as admiring real cars on the streets of San Francisco.

In the long run, what does everyone gain from this experience?

"Colten and I were talking about what a good house this is yesterday.. this strange state-funded little thing we have here.. we're all here because we care about him.".
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Citation for TV Program: "The Key of G" PBS channel 6 WTVS Detroit, at 4: 30 am, October 09, 2007. (Original air date: January 12, 2005)

The latest on disabilities; wish lists and more. Brought to you by TiVo

Hello Everyone,

It occurred to me recently that many of you might be wondering where and how I stay on top of the disability issues. Part of it just comes naturally to me, I guess; knowing what and where to research for certain topics. On the other hand, I primarily have TiVo to thank for most of the topics I post on this site.

I know what you're thinking. "Wait a minute, I thought TiVo is a personal DVR (digital video recorder) which is primarily for taping your favorite shows and playing them back whenever you want to watch it."

It is, on the surface.

But for me, it serves a more practical purpose. It allows me to create a specific wish lists on certain criteria (i.e. disabilities,) and searches according through the television listings for shows based on that criteria. This is done automatically and is not limited to looking through the description given on a program. It also looks at programs in terms of their titles. However, TiVo does not have the capability to look for other forms of the word. Therefore, I have two disability wishlists. One focuses on searching for programs containing the word "disabled" and the other searches for programs that include the word "disability ".

Any questions? I know this is a short post but I thought my readers would be interested.

Another note: I am starting a new job as I said in some of my earlier posts, so I may not be as up to date as usual. But please stick around. I promise to not forget about you

If I only had a...

Everyone,

Here's a little trivia for you. Can you finish the subject line for me? No, it's not a trick question.

Most of you may recognize the line from any "Wizard of Oz" movie or Broadway Show. However, this show I am referring to is anything but typical. The cast consists primarily of people with disabilities.

Let me explain. I was watching television the other day and came upon an HBO Family special called "Yellow Brick Road". It details the four month journey of the ANCHOR program to produce their very own version of the Wizard of Oz. The ANCHOR program (which stands for Answering the Needs of Citizens With Handicaps Through Organized Recreation) is a Long Island-based program for anyone with special needs. It runs year-round, offering a variety of activities in which they can participate. Some of them include sports, several camps, dances, and yes, like I said, drama.

The drama program, which is directed by Sandy Braun, was conceived by the simple fact that many of the adults were very dramatic and "loved watching themselves on films and stuff like that." The plays are held at the Grand Avenue High School. The principal players are adults.and each bring something unique to the play. Take for example, Elizabeth O'Brien who plays the wicked witch of the West.

"Elizabeth [O'Brien] is truly her own person. She knows not just her part, but everybody's part and how it should be acted, how it should be said.. I find myself often saying to her, "Elizabeth, that's why they pay me the big bucks","

Another principle player is the David. Living independently in the group home facility, he is considered the perfect man for the role of the tin man.(That is, not because he has no heart. But the biggest of all. )

"Nothing gets this kid down. This is the kid that you would feel that life has given him a bum deal, but he really doesn't feel that way," said Braun.

Many outsiders may see this program as their typical after school activity, but the cast sees much more than that. For some, like Danny, who plays the scarecrow, acting means the world; on the Braun continues to say that the drama program feels like a family to some students.

"I think what drama gives him [David] is a total sense of family. A total sense of belonging," says Braun.

Although Braun considers the cast as "kids", she realizes the exact opposite.

"I kind of feel like a mom to them and I feel like they are my kids and that we have that,"

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Citation for TV Program: "Yellow Brick Road" HBO Family channel 309 at 6:55 p.m., September 28, 2007. (Original air date: December 21, 2005 )

Encouragement: Just Your Average Young Woman

Okay,

Let me begin this post a little differently than most-with a game. I'm going to give you, my readers, three questions regarding a certain person and it's your job to figure out who I am talking about.

Question One Who has worked for UNICEF during the last couple of months as a representative of the United States?

Question Two: During that time, she served as a teacher, teaching lessons of tolerance and acceptance?

Question Three: Her students simply know her as "Jenna".


Give up yet?


The unlikely response is Jenna Bush.


Most people simply view her as the President's daughter; but upon deeper reflection, you would learn she is so much more. In her first individual interview in years, this mature young woman speaks out about her life (inside & outside the White House). Although, the primary goal of the interview was to shed light on the devastating impact of AIDS all around the world, her main message is, "Meeting all the kids I've worked with, I've became impassioned. I think a lot of times kids don't realize how they have the power to change the world, "


After nine months of traveling through Latin America and the Caribbean, it's obvious that Jenna has learned as well as grown a lot because of the journey. Jenna carries back to the States an empowering message of change. One that she hopes will open people's eyes to the adversities and struggles around the world. "My job for UNICEF was to document the lives of kids living in exclusion, which means, you know, in extreme poverty, living with HIV/AIDS, living in abusive households. Kids that don't have access to school or medical care," she said.


With many years of teaching students in the inner city, Jenna seems in her element here. She listens intently as students’ talk of the realities of living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. In fear of their lives on a daily basis, some of their faces could not be shown.


"Knowing that you’re infected, you know, would probably cause you to be hurt, maybe even killed," one child said. (Note: This part of the interview was taken on location in Jamaica while Jenna was teaching.)


This fact seems surprisingly ironic especially considering Jamaica is right "in America's backyard".


As well as teaching about tolerance, Jenna also talks about such controversial topics as protected sex and abstinence.


Despite these debilitating circumstances, some choose to see their life as "A Journey of Hope". It is this remarkable view that Jenna hopes to portray in her new book, Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope. The book follows the courageous life story of one girl living life with AIDS. For obvious reasons, the main person's name in the book have been changed. In the beginning while writing this book on location, Jenna viewed Ana's story as a life of sickness [this word was translated from the Spanish word], but Ana quickly corrected her.

In paraphrase, Ana said that her AIDS was not an illness; but rather a "situation of her life".


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Citation for TV Program: "20/20" News segment, Diane Sawyer reporting. ABC channel 7 WXYZ Detroit, News at 10 pm, September 28, 2007

October is National Disability employment Awareness Month.

Hi~

Welcome back everyone.

I hope everybody enjoyed their weekend as much as I did. I'm still taking it slow recovering from my surgery. It wasn't as bad as I suspected it would be. I just can't wait for the day when I say I actually worked a nine hour day. That's right everyone. I finally have a job.. All that's left to do is sign the paperwork and report to work. Well, not really report to work. The truth is, I will be working as a consultant and doing research for a company.

Which brings me to today's topic of employment.

Did you know that October is National Employment Awareness Month?

Don't feel bad, I didn't know either until reading about it in a article.

I have decided to include the article link here, as I am still recovering from surgery and I find it hard to condense a small article such as this one. (Okay, so I am taking the easy way out this time) I Found it quite interesting myself.

Anyway, here it is:

http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/B8/20070926/NEWS01/709260309/1002