does "normalization"for disabled really work ?

learning to ask for help: believing you are the best: attempt ,adapt and overcome

2009-01-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

learning to ask for help: believing you are the best: attempt ,adapt and overcome

I wonder, if Our new President will Improve the Federal disabilities act ?

2009-01-16T01:46:00.000-08:00

As I sit here pecking out this blog many things are racing through my head .I don't type well and my eyes don't track equally due to alternating Striblimus .the Surgeries didn't work,no matter. My Question is this ....We ,the disabled are a minority that in general has been neglected and warehoused for years a few years back I played for the Special Olympics in Prince George British Columbia Canada. I saw such effort and caring , I also saw Politics.Here in the U.S.I see all sorts of group homes,multitudes of ad-hoc agencies for employment yet I can't even get seen until I have filled out reams of educational reports,all sorts of permission slips to obtain records for the Regional Center in San Diego ca. 5 months , no call from them to let me know that they couldn't get any information because either the hospital are gone ,closed or amalgamated by a corporation and the special ed school no longer is functioning .My question is ....What difference does it make ?If you have an individual who has a developmental difference and needs guidance and help then help he or she !The amount of RED TAPE is enormous and most people with Cerebral Palsy would not be able to cognitively make any head way .what is our new president going to pay more attention to the political posturing of a few big disability organizations :one of them is UPC and they were of no help because my "Cerebral Palsy wasn't severe enough and they didn't do grant writing and they didn't no were to send me .I was laughing when I left .I have never had assistance from government aside from being a ward of the State as an orphan .I have been helped with school but couldn't finish due to my back injury that is slowly getting better .President elect Obama needs to revamp and get real energetic department head who think outside the box of "normal"and be creative,taking suggestions from those who have done a lot on there own despite having a disability.We need creative funding for art,music and advocacy to help people such as my self who can function ,want to be self sufficient yet have varying degree's cognitive processing ability.In a nut shell :We need action and a true voice in Washington .I read of Celebrities who champion the rights of the disabled :where are and how do I contact them ?I need help and this country brags how caring it is then Washington Prove It!!!!! Get some action going and Programs For disabled artists and funding for creative artist who don't fit the mainstream.!President Obama,will you Please Help those of us who didn't ask to be born disabled have a chance to share in the American dream !

struggling in a world not designed to be creative for those who r right brained and are artists

2009-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Being a musician is my love ,having Cerebral Palsy is not!I am almost 50 and have seen programs come and go.I have never seen any programs for the "gifted" or diffently- abled artistor musician.I can see many programs for unwed mothers,veterens and severely disabled people ,most are "caretaking" and I do know because I being disabled did take pay cuts to work in the disabilities field .Many of my collegues were amazed at my ability to ,lift and do all the thing caretakers do ,yet I still went through several jobs due to the lack of understanding of those boss's with masters degree's in Social Services ect....... .I may sound cynical ,well.....I am I have a degree and amental heathcare certicate but my L D gets in the way ....Physically I walk but the jobs I've had have degraded my Physical ability even further.I'm in constant pain and have 2 discs that are elypsed.I still do what I can .This blog is for those people who Are government people who can make Federal changes in grants to the diffently abled artist and musicians .We do need a voice and for me I need help in many area's:grants to fund my music writing and to set up my recording studio,someone to mentor me in this business venture and lastly money to help me build my business and survive while my website gets stream revenues coming in. I know there are grants and help every ethnic group and many social programs for women but non for disabled artists or musicians and no advocacy that I can find ! I deserve as do others who have worked and struggled to be "Normal" workers and Tax payers. we need a help up with funding and mentoring that keeps our dignity in being self suffient and pursuing our goals.I heard once about the " pursuite of happiness" and whats the other one? oh...."all men are created equally" something like that!I have yet to witness that equalty or being treated on an equal terms with the general population!Maybe some day ? Someone who has the power will understand when they become disabled and feel and live as many disabled do ,frustrated and alone watching "normals" whatever they are?achieve and have opportunities because they are more able bodied to have a larger "pick" of jobs.Government People need to think" outside the box" ......Like ....?A musician or Artist ...(lol)

being who you are - teacher mentor and student

2008-07-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

I was thinking the other day what have I done in my life that was a benefit to others.I remember being a student aid in Jr. high school helping my drama teacher running the video cameras And recording machines .I learned also to take responsibility and on school trips ,camping in the mountains showing city kids how to pitch a tent,build a fire and safely use an axe.These things I learned in the BoyScouts where I obtained the rank of life Scout.Icouldn't get to Eagle Scout in the Transition time ( 6 months) and the program changes In my mind were taking disipline and physical skills needed to go into military service or in general being prepaired for life and resposibility away from a once highly respected organization. These skills I remember and use to this day.Living with Cerebral Palsy is difficult ,not from my standpoint but rather how I fit into a leniar world that is geared toward perfection,academics and a lack of ability first ideology sorely needed in business,education and social services .I guess who ever reads this may learn more of the frustration some of us who have achieved much on our own just due to doing rather then allowing others to dictate our destinys. Be the teacher to those who do not know.Mentor your abilities and learn to accept those who are trying help them because you canyou can too.

in grand scheme of things

2008-07-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

Are people all the same ? does the Government provide accomadation in the work place .What is "normalization"? With this question;Has Pandora's box been opened and have "we"desinsitized those minorities to a point that employers just hire because its law but do not encourage inovative programs that accually promote the strengths of differently abled workers rather then provide minial opportunities just to satisfy political agedas.