Advocacy and Action

Three Words for 2009

2009-01-05T13:58:00.002-05:00

What are your themes for 2009? On his blog, Chris Brogan chose three words to summarize his goals for 2009. These are my three: health, growth and persistence.

Health is a renewed commitment to monitor my physical, business, relational, spiritual, and emotional health throughout the year and to improve my health where it is flagging.

Growth is the goal to continue to acquire new skills and insights at work (in both my legal work and teaching) and spiritually, so that I will draw closer to God.

Persistence is the key to both my health and growth goals - not to waver from the path, not to skip a day now and then (which becomes a week now and then, a month, etc.). It is so easy to begin in January with fresh resolutions, only to drop them within weeks. This year I am committed to daily check ups.

Red Nosed Reindeer and People with Disabilities

2008-12-28T20:02:00.002-05:00

My family was watching Rudolph the day before Christmas, and I realized how much it says about our culture's attitude toward people with disabilities. Throughout the movie, the majority of the characters shun those who are different and differently abled. Even Santa's prejudice is revealed, although he learns his lesson.

The island of misfit toys reminded me of the low employment rate for individuals with disabilities. Nearly everyone can do work of some kind, and most people, including those with disabilities, want to be gainfully employed. People with disabilities, however, are often denied employment, even at tasks that they can perform. Many of those with significant support needs who are fortunate enough to be employed work in sheltered workshops - like the island of misfit toys, these workshops are segregated work places that offer little interaction with peers without disabilities.

Rather than shunting those who look, act, move, speak, or think differently aside, why not recognize that people of all abilities belong in our community, fully integrated at work, social life, religious communities, etc. Why not recognize that the full range of abilities falls within the natural spectrum of humanity? Why not give them the respect that is due to every person?

2008-12-22T04:45:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month I had an opportunity to speak to students in a speech-language pathology class about fragile x syndrome and parenting children with disabilities. Few people, including therapists, know what fragile x is, so it was a wonderful opportunity to share what I've learned over the past 16, nearly 17 years. What I did not say, however, was what a blessing the children have been to me, and how much I have learned about compassion and empathy, about the hearts of others, and about love that asks for nothing but love in return. At this time of year, it is important to remember these lessons and to cherish the time that I have with my children and with others affected by disabilities.