Feeling--blank
Reading-- The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
I'm listening to-- nothing

Happy Beltane everyone! Today is also Blogging Against Disablism Day (B.A.D.D.). I wrote my intended post for today a lil bit too early I'm afraid, because 1) I was excited to share my idea and, 2) I didn't want to forget the bits and pieces I'd come up with while away from the computer and a notebook and pen. So you'll just get an exerpt from it...and maybe from a couple of other disability posts.

My newest writing prompt fun is the six-word story. I find it fun and challenging, especially if I try to stick with a particular theme, like I did back in March with Disabilities.

Was arrested. Jail not wheelchair accessible. 08-28-2010

Disabilities don't stop us. Only fear... 03-20-2011

God loves diversity. Man prefers uniformity. 03-20-2011

I'm human, not an extraterrestrial visitor! 03-20-2011

Stranded. Flat tire. Loss of independence. 03-20-2011

Inspirational speaker, thanks to computer technology. 03-20-2011

He "sees" through someone else's eyes. 03-20-2011

I know I can! Do you? 03-20-2011

Stupidity isn't a disability. Next excuse? 03-20-2011

Armless artist, she creates beautiful sculptures. 03-20-2011
-- excerpt from March 20, 2011

**********A lot has been going on in my life this past year, personally and self-advocacy wise. I've entered into a relationship that I hope lasts with a wonderful man and self-advocate. We've been dating roughly 10 months now long distance, but all that's about to change with my move in the next few weeks down to where he lives. I've other friends down there and a sister and brother-in-law, so the move is just what I need in this next phase of my life. I am very excited to be back back out on my own, to have my own space, my freedom and a social life. I am also excited to get involved in the community, the different civic clubs and Night Life, a program for people with disabilities to get together and have fun, to give back to the community and show it that we too can be productive citizens. It's also a great opportunity to educate and promote disability awareness!

Self-advocacy wise, I've been very busy. Last February or March I assumed leadership of my local chapter of the Idaho Self-Advocate Leadership Network (SALN). I finished my last year as SALN's State Treasurer and was elected the new State President, all of which has kept me hopping. In the process, I've realized I'm not afraid anymore to speak up and add my voice to the more outspoken, to step outside my comfort zone for a while. As I told my sister yesterday when she made the comment, yet again, how "fiesty" I've become, "I've found my voice is all."

My Voice!
Passive and meek I was once...
once so shy and yet...content
content to let others speak for me
me, the quiet one, the naïve, sheltered one
one who learned, years later, I have a Voice!
Voice gaining strength and confidence
confidence in knowing my Voice is important
important as anybody else's...every day is easier
easier to speak for myself...I'm no longer quiet
quiet as a mouse...I'm bolder now, like a lioness
lioness who has discovered her Roar!
Roar! I have become what I was always,
always meant to be: a Self-Advocate.
Advocate for myself and others
others without a Voice still, I will be
be silent no longer! I will be heard!

May 25, 2009

**********There is one last thing I would like to share before I go... My state's legislative session just got over with about a month ago, and it was a brutal one in regards to our education system and care services for individuals with disabilities. We almost lost the majority of services we need to live productive and as independent lives as possible in our communities--all because those in power were focused on one bottom line: saving money with more budget cuts and cuts to what they see as superflous services/programs. As usual, there were hearings on the bills that would affect us, and a great number of people testified before the committees. A few from SALN (including myself) testified and offered ways to raise revenue, and while one bill was held and modified to keep some of the more necessary services intact...many legislators still chose to ignore what we, as a State, wanted. They weren't interested in raising revenue, only in cutting. As one member on the Council on Developmental Disabilities for my State said, "Even though HB2** was a victory for us [in that it kept more services than were cut], we were still not heard." Next year is predicted to be about the same...

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Yesterday
02-09-2012 Thursday 13: Netflix
02-10-2012 Rainbow Crow
02-11-2012 My Crow Project
02-12-2012 Crow: Keeper of All Sacred Law
02-21-2012 My Book List for 2012

moon phase