This video is not about cute kittens or dogs doing extraordinary tricks. It's not about a child coming out from the effects of anesthesia, and it's not a series of pictures of a baby growing up. But it NEEDS to go viral. What do you say? Will you help make that happen?
Showing posts with label works of art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label works of art. Show all posts
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
She Glows
I've complained a lot in the past about the way people stare at my children. I'm not going to promise I will never complain again, but I will promise that before I start, I will remember the lovely young mother in this video. She's half my age and wiser by a mile. Check out the way she glows whenever she looks at her son...
A Young Mother's Story
A Young Mother's Story
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Happy Friday
I'm sorry for everything in my life I have ever complained about. This young man is an inspiration for me to be a better person and a better parent. Enjoy...
Friday, March 23, 2012
Elena Delle Donne
OK, get out your hankies. You're going to need them. I know this is a long video (11 minutes or so), but you NEED to watch it - REALLY!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Signmark
I love ASL videos and found these while looking around for some new music. Signmark (that's his name) is a Deaf rapper.....Enjoy!
Friday, March 9, 2012
TGIF - Take 2
Heather shared this link in a comment yesterday, and I believe it is well worth sharing with all of you...
The Wolves, the pig and the retarded bunny
The Wolves, the pig and the retarded bunny
Friday, February 24, 2012
Brilliant!
One of the most difficult tasks that faces me as a single parent of children with severe disabilities is grocery shopping. I either have to push a grocery cart and a wheelchair at the same time, and trust me, I'm not very handy with that, or I have to find someone to stay at home with my children while I go to the store. But I stumbled across Carolinescart.com and immediately saw the solution to my shopping dilemma!
Caroline’s Cart is a shopping cart created for special needs children. It provides parents and caregivers a viable option to transport a child through a store while grocery shopping, without simultaneously having to maneuver a wheelchair and a traditional grocery cart. Check out this video:
Caroline’s Cart is a shopping cart created for special needs children. It provides parents and caregivers a viable option to transport a child through a store while grocery shopping, without simultaneously having to maneuver a wheelchair and a traditional grocery cart. Check out this video:
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day
Now this is what Valentine's Day is really all about!
Be sure to check out the slideshow link on the right side of the page.
Singing With Their Hands
Last Friday, the New York Times published an article called "Singing With Their Hands" which chronicles the growth of ASL music videos. I've posted several before, all from the Deaf Performers Network.
“Searches for ‘ASL’ over the past few months are the highest we’ve seen them,” said Kevin Allocca, the YouTube trends manager. “And 40 percent of all videos tagged ‘sign language’ on YouTube were posted in just the past year.”
One of my favorites is by Sean Berdy, the actor from the TV show Switched at Birth. He does a sign rendition of Enrique Iglesias’s “Hero.”
One of the more prolific posters of sign videos is Michael Chase DiMartino. His YouTube Channel, called Mr. Chase's Sign Channel, is full of fun music like:
Check out some of these - it's like Karaoke for the Deaf!!
“Searches for ‘ASL’ over the past few months are the highest we’ve seen them,” said Kevin Allocca, the YouTube trends manager. “And 40 percent of all videos tagged ‘sign language’ on YouTube were posted in just the past year.”
One of my favorites is by Sean Berdy, the actor from the TV show Switched at Birth. He does a sign rendition of Enrique Iglesias’s “Hero.”
One of the more prolific posters of sign videos is Michael Chase DiMartino. His YouTube Channel, called Mr. Chase's Sign Channel, is full of fun music like:
Check out some of these - it's like Karaoke for the Deaf!!
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Glorious Winds of Change!
History was made in my home state of Virginia yesterday - history that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. Virginia has been ranked 47th out of 50 states in service to people with disabilities. The US Department of Justice believed change was needed and sued the state. A settlement agreement was reached and it marks the beginning a real, substantive change. A huge, huge thank you to all the advocates who made this all possible!
You can find the story all over the national press, but this from CNN sums it up very well:
Washington (CNN) -- In a closely watched case with implications for other states, Virginia reached a broad settlement with the Justice Department Thursday on protecting the legal rights of people with developmental disabilities, both physical and intellectual. The agreement also will resolve violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Virginia agreed to provide an estimated 5,000 citizens with community services that will allow them to live in community-based settings, including family homes, rather than being institutionalized.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is pressing states to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that says the developmentally disabled have a right to receive services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
Justice officials say the case is particularly relevant to ongoing investigations in Oregon, Florida and Utah. In addition, the Justice Department has issued its findings but not yet reached agreement with officials in New Hampshire, North Carolina and Mississippi.
The Justice Department has reached agreements previously with Georgia and Delaware.
Virginia has allocated $60 million to help integrate the individuals covered, and the federal government will match that with Medicaid waivers, according to Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, who announced the settlement.
Perez, an Obama administration appointee, praised Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell and other GOP leaders in Virginia for their cooperation in reaching the agreement. Perez says he is confident the agreement to minimize the institutionalization of individuals will save Virginia money in the long run.
The settlement follows a federal investigation of Virginia's system that found the commonwealth had ADA violations.
And this from Assistant US Attorney General Tomas Perez:
Virginia is a state with strong and committed advocates who have long been pushing for improvement of the Commonwealth’s developmental disabilities system. Throughout our investigation, we met with stakeholders across the Commonwealth, to learn about what is and is not working for people with developmental disabilities. We heard their problems and concer...ns, and ideas for addressing them, as well as their successes. We heard from families who are barely hanging on while their loved ones sit on long waitlists for community services and from self-advocates wanting more opportunities to work and live independently. We heard from the families of persons now living in institutional settings who worry whether the needs of their loved ones can be met in community settings. We also met with some individuals, including some with complex needs, who are being successfully served in the community. Our agreement draws on the input from these critical stakeholders about how to best meet the needs of all Virginians with developmental disabilities. Continued collaboration with and input from these stakeholders will be a critical part of the implementation of the agreement.
You can find the story all over the national press, but this from CNN sums it up very well:
Washington (CNN) -- In a closely watched case with implications for other states, Virginia reached a broad settlement with the Justice Department Thursday on protecting the legal rights of people with developmental disabilities, both physical and intellectual. The agreement also will resolve violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Virginia agreed to provide an estimated 5,000 citizens with community services that will allow them to live in community-based settings, including family homes, rather than being institutionalized.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is pressing states to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that says the developmentally disabled have a right to receive services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.
Justice officials say the case is particularly relevant to ongoing investigations in Oregon, Florida and Utah. In addition, the Justice Department has issued its findings but not yet reached agreement with officials in New Hampshire, North Carolina and Mississippi.
The Justice Department has reached agreements previously with Georgia and Delaware.
Virginia has allocated $60 million to help integrate the individuals covered, and the federal government will match that with Medicaid waivers, according to Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, who announced the settlement.
Perez, an Obama administration appointee, praised Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell and other GOP leaders in Virginia for their cooperation in reaching the agreement. Perez says he is confident the agreement to minimize the institutionalization of individuals will save Virginia money in the long run.
The settlement follows a federal investigation of Virginia's system that found the commonwealth had ADA violations.
And this from Assistant US Attorney General Tomas Perez:
Virginia is a state with strong and committed advocates who have long been pushing for improvement of the Commonwealth’s developmental disabilities system. Throughout our investigation, we met with stakeholders across the Commonwealth, to learn about what is and is not working for people with developmental disabilities. We heard their problems and concer...ns, and ideas for addressing them, as well as their successes. We heard from families who are barely hanging on while their loved ones sit on long waitlists for community services and from self-advocates wanting more opportunities to work and live independently. We heard from the families of persons now living in institutional settings who worry whether the needs of their loved ones can be met in community settings. We also met with some individuals, including some with complex needs, who are being successfully served in the community. Our agreement draws on the input from these critical stakeholders about how to best meet the needs of all Virginians with developmental disabilities. Continued collaboration with and input from these stakeholders will be a critical part of the implementation of the agreement.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Not Wimpy At All
This is a company that 'gets it'! Makes me want to move to South Africa!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Arline
I found this video on Dave Hingsburger's blog, Rolling Around In My Head, and knew after the first few stanzas of the song that I also had to post it. Legislators in my state are very slow to address institutionlization even as the Justice Department threatens a lawsuit. Perhaps I should email this video to all the esteemed ladies and gentleman who purport to speak for all Virginians.
Listen very carefully to the words, and then say a prayer that one day there will be no more institutions...
Listen very carefully to the words, and then say a prayer that one day there will be no more institutions...
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A Challenge For You
The video below has been making the rounds of Facebook the last couple of days, and it is absolutely wonderful. Maddox and her Mom say so much without uttering a word. And through their efforts, more and more people may come away with a new understanding, a new acceptance, a new view.
So here's my challenge. I think all of us parents of children with disabilities need to produce a similar message - be it through video or pictures. Let's begin to educate others in ways that we haven't used before. Let's grab the attention of this generation of Facebookers/Bloggers/YouTubers/and Tweeters. I know we have all blogged and tweated our stories, but let's see if we can increase our audiences and include people whose lives have yet to be touched by disability. Let's model it after Maddox's message and create a library of information for the digital world. Let's use the tools that the world is using, and let's spread our message of understanding and acceptance.
I would be glad to coordinate the effort, help compile the library, and then market our stories to people who need to see them. What do you say??
So here's my challenge. I think all of us parents of children with disabilities need to produce a similar message - be it through video or pictures. Let's begin to educate others in ways that we haven't used before. Let's grab the attention of this generation of Facebookers/Bloggers/YouTubers/and Tweeters. I know we have all blogged and tweated our stories, but let's see if we can increase our audiences and include people whose lives have yet to be touched by disability. Let's model it after Maddox's message and create a library of information for the digital world. Let's use the tools that the world is using, and let's spread our message of understanding and acceptance.
I would be glad to coordinate the effort, help compile the library, and then market our stories to people who need to see them. What do you say??
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Bright White Light
Ben died on Christmas night. Prior to his death, he asked, "Do you believe in angels or God?" If not, your mind may be changed after viewing this video:
Sick teen's video goes viral after his death.
Sick teen's video goes viral after his death.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Spenser and Dayton
Want to read something to make your day? Want to feel the joy of true inclusion? Want to be inspired by someone who feels he is too young to be an inspiration?
Check out this story and also make sure to watch the video at the end of the story. It will make your day!!
Check out this story and also make sure to watch the video at the end of the story. It will make your day!!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Just The Way You Are
This is dedicated to my beautiful Ashley...I will always love you just the way you are!
Monday, November 21, 2011
"I Don't Want Pity"
We parents of children with disabilities spend a lot of time talking and writing about the lack of accessibility and accommodations for our children. I know that at times I have gotten down right angry when, for example, non-disabled movie-goers use the handicapped seating at the theater or when I can't find a close parking spot. But compared to some people in Africa, what we experience seems like nothing more than a mild annoyance.
The subject of disability in Africa is not often discussed in the media, but a new documentary film aims to address this.
The film, Body and Soul, was shot in Mozambique's capital Maputo and follows the day-to-day lives of three young disabled people.
It reveals the challenges and discrimination they face - some children in Mozambique are not sent to school for example - but also reveals the strength and determination of each of the film's main characters.
Check out this link for the movie trailer, but be sure to have some tissues handy. Trust me, you will need them.
The subject of disability in Africa is not often discussed in the media, but a new documentary film aims to address this.
The film, Body and Soul, was shot in Mozambique's capital Maputo and follows the day-to-day lives of three young disabled people.
It reveals the challenges and discrimination they face - some children in Mozambique are not sent to school for example - but also reveals the strength and determination of each of the film's main characters.
Check out this link for the movie trailer, but be sure to have some tissues handy. Trust me, you will need them.
Friday, November 18, 2011
See What I'm Saying
I spent almost an hour reading articles from the New York Times about abuse in group homes. I had thought about sharing those with you, but decided that for Friday, I needed something more uplifting, something that wouldn't make me cry. So here is the music video for the movie See What I'm Saying. I really, really want to see the movie...
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