"You have not lived until you have do something for someone who can never repay you." Unknown

With so many places to blog, and create profiles now days, I have done some thinking.  So many people use the internet to express themseleves...myself included.  Is it safe?  There is so much bad press reguarding the internet now days.  With life moving so fast for so many of us-we use the internet to make friends and often times romantic relationships.  My question is, are these connections true connections?  How much do you choose to let people know about you; we all know people can turn on you in an instant, and the internet is no different.  People read our blogs, do they learn the true you?  I hope so, as nothing can replace the face-to-face connections.  Alas, I have forgotten my exact goal of this entry, so I will end now...maybe I will pick this up at a later date.

In attempt to help my friend that I spoke of in my previous entry I have been sharing some of the pieces that I have written and used in my advocating experiences.  I hope you all can give me some feedback on them, as well as how you think I could help him. 

 

Taken from incight.org  Handicrap™ in simplest terms any attitude that keeps a person with a disability or a person without a disability from moving beyond their boundaries and doing what they need to do to succeed.

 

My piece:

 

 

 

      Handicrap, in my own words is what I would call an artificial barrier.  An artificial barrier is something put in our way that should not stop a person from reaching their full potential.  So many disabled people have great potential, and are all too often discouraged because they do not realize that the artificial barriers can be moved.  Having a disability means a person has spend a lot of their life showing the world what they are capable of.  I have had the chance to work for a wonderful institute which has a goal of unlocking the potential of disabled children and adults.  I have spent a majority of my time working in the Recreational Therapy Department, our philosophy is… “All kids can play.”  This is a philosophy that I truly believe.  I am now a part of a national community service program called Americorps, a network of national service programs providing intensive service to meet the needs of public health, education, and environmental needs.  Through this program I am expanding on my skills as well as meeting others who may have misconceptions about individuals with disabilities.  Within seconds of meeting me these misconceptions are soon gone!     My goal is to change society’s view of a disabled people.  I believe that there is only one way to change this.  I have to get out in my community and push the limits.  I have to show people that just because I use a wheelchair; it does not stop me from making a difference in the world.  I believe that it will be a lifelong process, but if I continue showing others what I am capable of society’s view of the disabled will gradually change.  I have spent a lot of time fighting for the rights of disabled, and plan to continue this throughout my life.  I feel that changing views will require changing government policies that often hinder the opportunities that are given to the disabled.

You know there are things in our daily lives that we just take for granted. Imagine waking up tomorrow, and you can't reach to shut off your alarm clock..how would that make you feel?  How would you deal with it?  What if someone had to help you shower?  Would you in some way feel like less of a person?  I write tonight because of a close friend, and maybe someday a romantic partner.  Two years ago my friend became a quadraplegic due to a rare undetected birth defect.  He was an avid hockey player, and an excellent dancer...had plans for professional hockey.  He has made great progress, as he is now able to walk with a walker, and two people assisting him.  He has fallen into a depression lately, missing what he had...I can't imagine what it would be like to loose everything...I would be devestated.  I have lived in a chair all my life, and even I will admit I take things for granted.  I am very lucky, I have the abilities that I do...I can roll myself over at night, etc.  My friend lost his girlfriend...it completely devestated him...she left him because of his injury.

 

To those of you in relationships, please remember that anything can happen to us at anytime.  Discuss it with your loved ones how you will deal with that...I reccommend that.  If you truly love them, do you know how to deal with a catastophy such as a life changing injury?  I cannot say that you have to stay with them, in the event that something were to happen, but I do not feel it is right to completely disappear from their lives...they will need your support, and vise versa.  Take a moment and consider what you would do in a situation such as this....