Celebrating Disability Awareness Month; The Possibilities That The Hive Presents People With Disabilities Are Something To Look Forward To

 Hi guys, it’s your friendly neighborhood super-advocate, Jay, back again with another blog post. I have written quite a few in the last month. I want to express my gratitude for your overwhelming support of not only my writing but, perhaps more significantly, I wish to thank you for your continued support of issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities. You constantly inspire me to come up with new content and have reassured me that this blog does make a difference.

 

Today, I thought it would be appropriate to write a post in honor of Disability Awareness Month. Anyone who has been following the blog as of late will remember that a few years ago, I wrote a piece for Florida Self Advocacy Central and reposted it here. The blog focused on an organization known as The Hive Inclusive Community in Tampa, Florida, which is currently set to open in late 2025. The mission of The Hive, according to their website, is “to foster inclusive communities where every member can grow, find purpose, and thrive.” The hive is the brainchild of one very passionate ally of people with disabilities, Tonya Whitlock. Ms. Whitlock was inspired to create The Hive by her son Trace. Trace is 29 years old and has a form of Cerebral Palsy. Although he cannot communicate in the traditional way most people do, he has a large voice and a lot to say. He does so by using a communication board. Ms. Whitlock became frustrated with the lack of services that people with disabilities have after they graduate high school in the United States. Her vision is to create a community for people with varying abilities, including those with “disabilities.”

 

I am honored to be on the board of The Hive and play a small role in helping Ms. Whitlock’s dream become a reality. The Hive has a long way to go to reach its goal of opening in 2025, but we are well on our way. Recently we held two fundraisers, the first of which was mildly successful. We had even greater success with the second event, a musical bingo night at a local brewery in Tampa. As community engagement increases, I am confident that The Hive will exceed Ms. Whitlock’s expectations. I am honored to consider her a colleague but, more importantly, a friend.

 

For those of you who want to learn more information about The Hive, please visit their website at:  https://theinclusivehive.org/

 

I know this was fairly short, but there will be more awesome disability content coming tomorrow or the next day.

 

Bye for now,

Jay