They’re kickin’ a** and taking names. Wheelchair rugby is played on a basketball court and is a mix of rugby, basketball,and handball. So why do they call it Murderball? I could tell you that the term was popluarized with the release of the 2005 documentary of the same name which was made to raise funds for the US Paralympic team, or you could watch this: And the US has not lost a World Championship nor...
Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to acknowledge the amazing achievements happening at the London 2012 Paralympics. What incredible things are happening in London right now, you ask? Besides the Irish runner whose mom got to present him with the gold medal, or the blind runner who held up a marriage proposal sign after crossing the finish, or the big Oscar Pistorius upset, or my...
Thank-you to reader Hannah who asked, “How can two people with such varied disabilities race against each other?” It’s important to note that these athletes are in top physical shape for whatever their bodies allow. Also, great effort has gone into making these Games fair and competitive so the athletes are earning their medals. The Paralympics cover competitions for athletes that fit into 1 of 10 impairments types. Some of these include impaired muscle power...
So I know you didn’t see the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics if you’re one of my American readers. How do I know, you ask? The US Olympic Committee only sold 5.5 hours of broadcasting rights to NBC. If you’re in Australia you may see 100 hours and, of course, the Brits will get to watch up to 400 hours of programming. This is interesting because the US Olympic committee seems to think we’re...
I recently got a dash of hope, actually it was a huge dose but it came in the form of a boy named Dash, who runs quickly in many directions simultaneously, and his sweet sister Lara. These are Aidan’s little cousins who recently met him for the first time. They intuitively recognized two things that I’ve basically made a second career out of telling people: Aidan is different but he’d love for you to talk...
We all know how it goes and we all know it’s bogus…words can hurt us deeply. Being Aidan’s mom has introduced me to the power of words in a new way. I’ve had to learn medical jargon; I’ve become sensitive to the word “retard”; I’ve learned that labels are really doors to services. And yes, I’ve heard the trite, unhelpful remarks, ‘God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” “Everything happens for a reason.”...
I may love skinny dipping more than the average person, but at church I’m all about blending in. This year the wave-making mama in me collided with the quiet pew sitter. As the mom of a child with a significant developmental disability, I’m comfortable making you a little bit uncomfortable. I have no problem commenting on accessibility, or offering suggestions about how to talk to Aidan (just start with “hi”), or allowing him to lean...
Last week I quoted Gandi and the need to “Be the change.” I then proceeded to map out some of the voices in disability world that have been heard and are making themselves heard now. A friend brought to my attention the fact that the phrase is be the change as opposed to make the change or fight for the change. To be sure, the examples I gave are important and there is a need...
So Gandi tells us to “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Ok, I can get on board with that, but what if you’re busy or exhausted or discouraged? What if you’re already making change because in the regular course of raising a child with a disability you’ve made noise in the education system, you’ve argued considerably with insurance, and you’ve taken the time to educate medical professionals? What if, among other...
Music feeds the soul. Indeed, it even changes our brains. That’s the reason why some nursing homes play music from days gone by, transporting the residents back to a time their bodies were young, their minds were free and all things were possible. Music is healing. Music also forms the soundtracks of our most significant moments. Tucked away in some box in storage is your angsty teenage breakup mix (thank-you Melissa Ethridge) and your I’m...
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