Here is a compilation of useful links. To find out more information, read through my blog.
www.abilityonline.org
www.ala.ca
www.dogguides.com/doghome.htm
www.kateadamson.com/
www.ltarahooperandassociates.com/index.html
www.tead.on.ca/
theblossomclub@sourcecable.net
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
CDRP
CDRP (The Children’s Developmental Rehabilitation Programme) is an organization that helps disabled youth to live their lives to the fullest. It offers teen groups, an adolescent clinic, a support with goal setting, and a Youth Advisory Council.
In the past, I have taken part in CDRP functions. Although I am a graduate client, I wanted to know what was new since I left. Andrea, an occupational therapist, is very knowledgeable about CDRP. “We run a variety of programs at CDRP that let teens get together with other teens.” She feels that the biggest challenges teens face are having to deal with “people’s attitudes and misconceptions about people with disabilities.”
Andrea describes how the teens at CDRP love the overnight independence program that is run in the summer. “We get them involved in planning the topics we discuss and we get them to set and work towards their own goals.”
When I participated in the Cool Cruisers summer day camp program, I really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel to Toronto, and learn how to use public transit independently because of where I live in a more rural area. My skills were really tested, and I overcame fears. I learned that it is important to advocate for yourself and your needs.
Andrea recommends www.abilityonline.org, a monitored website that allows youth with disabilities to meet and discuss topics that are important to them.
In the past, I have taken part in CDRP functions. Although I am a graduate client, I wanted to know what was new since I left. Andrea, an occupational therapist, is very knowledgeable about CDRP. “We run a variety of programs at CDRP that let teens get together with other teens.” She feels that the biggest challenges teens face are having to deal with “people’s attitudes and misconceptions about people with disabilities.”
Andrea describes how the teens at CDRP love the overnight independence program that is run in the summer. “We get them involved in planning the topics we discuss and we get them to set and work towards their own goals.”
When I participated in the Cool Cruisers summer day camp program, I really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel to Toronto, and learn how to use public transit independently because of where I live in a more rural area. My skills were really tested, and I overcame fears. I learned that it is important to advocate for yourself and your needs.
Andrea recommends www.abilityonline.org, a monitored website that allows youth with disabilities to meet and discuss topics that are important to them.
The Blossom Club
Founded in 2006, The Blossom Club is a nonprofit fitness gym for women on the west Mountain. This gym is unique as it is wheelchair-accessible and offers programs for women of all ages and abilities.
I have been a member of this club since February 2009. They provide adapted equipment for people with disabilities and have a kinesiologist on staff to tailor a program that is right for you. This is especially important for keeping muscles loose and staying active with the best degree that you can. They feature a member of the month, an opportunity to showcase one’s hard work and provide a message to others. For the month of October, I was chosen, and I was proud to know I was setting an example for others.
This gym offers more that just fitness training. It provides independence, and a social network for all ages.
You can email the club at this address for more information:
theblossomclub@sourcecable.net
I have been a member of this club since February 2009. They provide adapted equipment for people with disabilities and have a kinesiologist on staff to tailor a program that is right for you. This is especially important for keeping muscles loose and staying active with the best degree that you can. They feature a member of the month, an opportunity to showcase one’s hard work and provide a message to others. For the month of October, I was chosen, and I was proud to know I was setting an example for others.
This gym offers more that just fitness training. It provides independence, and a social network for all ages.
You can email the club at this address for more information:
theblossomclub@sourcecable.net
Active Living Alliance
The Active Living Alliance promotes Canadians with disabilities to lead active, healthy lives. Any organization, community, or individual who embraces this principle is welcome to join the Alliance network, which has grown to over 500,000 contacts.
The Alliance has been directed, driven, and sustained by volunteers. You can volunteer to be a leader or a chaperon at one of their exchanges.
I have participated in the ALA Youth Exchange in 2006. I traveled to Ottawa, my first time away from home alone, among 50 other Canadians as an ambassador for my community. I had a week stay at Carleton University, where we participated in activities such as rock climbing, water tubing, and advocacy meetings.
I still keep in contact with friends that I met on my trip. One girl lives in Nova Scotia, and another is from British Colombia. It is interesting to see what disability functions take place where they live. We learned a lot from each other because of our different backgrounds and abilities.
For more information, you can visit their website at: www.ala.ca
The Alliance has been directed, driven, and sustained by volunteers. You can volunteer to be a leader or a chaperon at one of their exchanges.
I have participated in the ALA Youth Exchange in 2006. I traveled to Ottawa, my first time away from home alone, among 50 other Canadians as an ambassador for my community. I had a week stay at Carleton University, where we participated in activities such as rock climbing, water tubing, and advocacy meetings.
I still keep in contact with friends that I met on my trip. One girl lives in Nova Scotia, and another is from British Colombia. It is interesting to see what disability functions take place where they live. We learned a lot from each other because of our different backgrounds and abilities.
For more information, you can visit their website at: www.ala.ca
Disability Perspectives
I volunteer my time to help McMaster OT (Occupational Therapy) students with an annual project that they do for their courses, giving my perspective on my daily routine occurrences living with a disability. I tell these students that they need to advocate for people with disabilities. Some people may not be interested in caring to learn more about disabilities, everyone has their different interests. As long as these students commit themselves and try their best, they should not take rejection personally.
I give a broad range of experiences, mainly focusing on school and the needs that I have there. Since institutions play a big role in anyone’s life, not just a person with a disability, it is important that educational faculties know how to properly accommodate someone’s needs.
I find sometimes that their questions are too generic, and I hope to focus their perspectives to more specific issues. A lot of these students are young, and I know they can bring a fresh new insights to these issues, if they take things they’ve heard from other participants into account. I am more confident giving my answers, as I know they are enthusiastic. I always encourage them to take what they’ve learned and promote the main issues at hand. If they have any questions, to take them to the accessibility centres themselves, and conduct their own research. This creates a chain reaction for everyone involved. They take their issue to the centre, and this not only educates the staff on changes that need to be made, but it helps the students that are in need of the changes.
I always like that they bring an OT and a PT (Physiotherapist), because they have different roles in their practices and have different concerns. There is usually a male and a female, which also allows for different perspectives on the situation.
I give a broad range of experiences, mainly focusing on school and the needs that I have there. Since institutions play a big role in anyone’s life, not just a person with a disability, it is important that educational faculties know how to properly accommodate someone’s needs.
I find sometimes that their questions are too generic, and I hope to focus their perspectives to more specific issues. A lot of these students are young, and I know they can bring a fresh new insights to these issues, if they take things they’ve heard from other participants into account. I am more confident giving my answers, as I know they are enthusiastic. I always encourage them to take what they’ve learned and promote the main issues at hand. If they have any questions, to take them to the accessibility centres themselves, and conduct their own research. This creates a chain reaction for everyone involved. They take their issue to the centre, and this not only educates the staff on changes that need to be made, but it helps the students that are in need of the changes.
I always like that they bring an OT and a PT (Physiotherapist), because they have different roles in their practices and have different concerns. There is usually a male and a female, which also allows for different perspectives on the situation.
An Adventure with a Four-Legged Friend
One of my favourite ‘experiences’ occurred back in Grade 11, when our class had a substitute teacher. I was ready to start a normal day, and my EA (Educational Assistant) was absent for a few moments. The substitute referred to the seating plan our teacher provided, which included a little sketch of a dog, representing Opal’s (my service dog) ‘seat.’ The substitute was handing out the notes for the day, but looked down confusedly at me and Opal. She asked innocently, “How are you going to read the note, if you can’t see?” That’s when I became confused. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then it clicked. I had to laugh, she thought Opal was a guide dog, and that I was blind. I told the story to my EA when she returned. “I must have pretty good driving skills for a blind girl.” Powerchairs are not easy to drive at the best of times, never mind with impaired vision. I wish she was there when this comical moment happened, as it was something that I remembered throughout my high school career, and still do to this day.
Opal and I have been through a lot, and she means the world to me. There are many different types of service dogs, not just guide dogs for the blind. Opal is a special skills dog; a dog that can perform many tasks to help people with mobility impairments. I wish people were more informed about service dogs. This would include NOT petting them while they are working. You would think that the harness on her that says quite clearly “Please, Don’t Pet Me” would be a good indicator, but apparently not. I guess I have to understand that no one can resist that beautiful face.
Opal and I have been through a lot, and she means the world to me. There are many different types of service dogs, not just guide dogs for the blind. Opal is a special skills dog; a dog that can perform many tasks to help people with mobility impairments. I wish people were more informed about service dogs. This would include NOT petting them while they are working. You would think that the harness on her that says quite clearly “Please, Don’t Pet Me” would be a good indicator, but apparently not. I guess I have to understand that no one can resist that beautiful face.
Scenario: My Experience with a Parking War
So it was another Saturday morning, and I was headed into town to go to the gym. This gym is different, as it tailors to women and people with disabilities. We were running a bit late, but arrived in what should have been plenty of time to start my workout session. Oh #*^% !, the one handi-cap parking space was taken! (The fact that there is one handi-cap spot for a gym that caters to people with disabilities is an entirely different blog post for another time). There is absolutely nowhere else to park, since there is a very popular bakery beside the gym (The fact that there is a bakery beside a gym is either incredibly stupid, or a very ingenious business plan). We just happened to notice that the truck parked in MY space had no handi-cap sticker. Now, the fight was on. Luckily, the guy was in the vehicle, so we can just politely ask him to move, right? Think again. He informs us that he is a parking officer here to write up illegal parking tickets in the surrounding parking lot. Yeah, you read that right. The guy responsible for handing out parking tickets was illegally parked, and refused to move. After a heated discussion, his solution was to just paint over the handi-cap parking spot, because apparently he has the authority to do that. Scary, isn’t it? A few curse words later from this guy, and we eventually had our spot. I guess I will have to budget my time better for future scenarios in which people have a false sense of entitlement.
In the Blink of an Eye
THIS IS A HUMAN BEING LYING HERE
SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU SAY
PLEASE TREAT HER AS A PERSON
These words were printed and attached to the hospital bed by the husband of Kate Adamson, a 33-year-old mother of two. After suffering a severe stroke during a morning routine, Kate was completely paralyzed. “I am in a glass coffin. I can see and hear everything, but I am shut off from everyone.” Kate suffered from what is called ‘Locked-In syndrome.’ “You are totally paralyzed – unable to move a finger or a toe – you cannot even blink to let anyone know you are alive and aware.” Kate’s communication began only with eye blinking, but through hard work and persistence, progressed to uttering syllables to being able to speak in public and write a book. She is the author of “Paralyzed but Not Powerless,” a story of her journey.
After she got out of the hospital, she had to overcome many obstacles in order to pursue her passion for speaking. This included dealing with spasms, spontaneous emotional outbursts, and being physically able to get to the podium to speak. She did not want to think of herself as a disabled person, “but a person dealing with and overcoming difficulties and challenges.”
Kate acknowledges that it was not easy getting where she is today, there were many obstacles and her recovery did not happen overnight. She explains that it may seem like a lot of trouble, but not when you are in pursuit of your passion and you know more or less the kinds of things that will challenge you along the way.
Kate has testified before Congress as to the degree of pain and suffering in a locked-in patient, and advocating for the right to live. “One Hand Clapping” is the title of her popular keynote presentation. She speaks to those who feel paralyzed in their professional or personal progress. She focuses on “what they can do and not on what they can’t.” When asked what changes need to be made to the workplace, Kate feels that we need to focus on “one’s ability rather than their disability.”
To learn more about Kate and her inspiring story, please visit: http://www.kateadamson.com/
SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU SAY
PLEASE TREAT HER AS A PERSON
These words were printed and attached to the hospital bed by the husband of Kate Adamson, a 33-year-old mother of two. After suffering a severe stroke during a morning routine, Kate was completely paralyzed. “I am in a glass coffin. I can see and hear everything, but I am shut off from everyone.” Kate suffered from what is called ‘Locked-In syndrome.’ “You are totally paralyzed – unable to move a finger or a toe – you cannot even blink to let anyone know you are alive and aware.” Kate’s communication began only with eye blinking, but through hard work and persistence, progressed to uttering syllables to being able to speak in public and write a book. She is the author of “Paralyzed but Not Powerless,” a story of her journey.
After she got out of the hospital, she had to overcome many obstacles in order to pursue her passion for speaking. This included dealing with spasms, spontaneous emotional outbursts, and being physically able to get to the podium to speak. She did not want to think of herself as a disabled person, “but a person dealing with and overcoming difficulties and challenges.”
Kate acknowledges that it was not easy getting where she is today, there were many obstacles and her recovery did not happen overnight. She explains that it may seem like a lot of trouble, but not when you are in pursuit of your passion and you know more or less the kinds of things that will challenge you along the way.
Kate has testified before Congress as to the degree of pain and suffering in a locked-in patient, and advocating for the right to live. “One Hand Clapping” is the title of her popular keynote presentation. She speaks to those who feel paralyzed in their professional or personal progress. She focuses on “what they can do and not on what they can’t.” When asked what changes need to be made to the workplace, Kate feels that we need to focus on “one’s ability rather than their disability.”
To learn more about Kate and her inspiring story, please visit: http://www.kateadamson.com/
About Me
This blog, Kaleidoscope, allows people to learn about a wide range of disabilities. For many, interaction with a person with a disability is rare. As it is unknown territory, people become unsure of how to act. By reading this blog, one can learn practical skills, and help spread knowledge by becoming self-aware and then share one’s experiences with others; creating a chain reaction. It will help people to learn how to appropriately engage with others, in order to live in an educated, balanced, and respected society. It is important to know what approach is best for each situation. As there are varying degrees of disabilities, it is important to keep that in mind before using a preconceived notion in judging someone. This topic is important as it is not confined to one area. Overall, the most important thing is to remember that everyone is human, and even though there are differences, we are all alike is some way and have something to offer each other.
Watch out for video postings, personal stories (including rants), links to other sources, and opportunities for your voice to be heard (by commenting).
How will I be following this topic? – This is part of me, and I live it everyday. Something new is always encountered that can be learned from, and I hope to share these experiences.
Watch out for video postings, personal stories (including rants), links to other sources, and opportunities for your voice to be heard (by commenting).
How will I be following this topic? – This is part of me, and I live it everyday. Something new is always encountered that can be learned from, and I hope to share these experiences.
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