The Voiceless Minority

Do you get overwhelmed by the world? Are you tired at the end of every day? A typical response to those questions by an average adult would be yes. As we age, we are conditioned to believe that when our bodies slow down, we should too. This article will shine a spotlight on one elderly individual who believes that age is just a number. When I was looking for my next article, I was introduced to Ian Wadell. After reading a profile/interview on him in Able Magazine, I envisioned one of those badass grandpas you see on TV. Ian was 86 and living in Wales, UK, at the time of the article that came out last year. What intrigued me about Ian’s story is not only that he was ot born into the Voiceless Minority, he came into his disability later in life, but the fact that he did not let his disability, which affects him physically, stop him from living. According to the article, before acquiring his disability, osteoarthritis, Ian had served in the UK military.   This not only increased...

Did you know that there’s research out there that children with Down Syndrome meet developmental milestones much later than neurotypical children?  According to a 2024 study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics , there was a significant difference in developmental progress. In the study, 842 children and adults with Down syndrome enrolled in the Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program were evaluated. It was reported that on average, most children with Down Syndrome walk without help by 4.5 years old, follow one-step directions (e.g., “come here”, “pick up _____”, etc.) by 5.5 years old, and drink from an open-cup without any assistance at 12 years old. In addition, it was reported that by their teenage years, 75% of children with Down Syndrome can follow two-step directions and use at least 50 words, signs, or pictures. By comparison, the average for neurotypical children meeting these milestones is when they are 2.5 years old. Now, if you know me, you know that I wa...

Photo Credit: shutterstock-entertainmentdaily.com                                                                                                  Recently, I wrote an article about how the word 'disability' is not a dirty word; however, for some people, the language they use to describe their disability is just as empowering as the word' disability. Whether you call it a disability or a difference, embracing it is key. British actor Arthur Hughes refers to his disability as an upper limb difference because he has radial dysplasia. Radial dysplasia is a disability in which the radial bone of one or both arms is missing. In some cases, such as Arthur's, other portions of the arm or hand may also be miss...

Over twelve years ago, when this blog began, I wrote a piece entitled “ Terminology Debate” . It talked about the power of language and the positive language I use to refer to my disability. In that blog, I talked about how some people view the word disability as a negative word. All these years later, I feel it is essential to have that discussion again. For those of you who followed my journey these last 12 years, you know I am a journalist and a part-time screenwriter. As a writer, it is my responsibility to use language effectively to convey my ideas. As humans, language is the one constant. That being said, it is our job as writers to adapt to change within the language or context in which it is used. I will be honest and say this is the hardest part of my job because I am not always politically correct. I say all that to get back to my main point: the word disability has been under attack in recent years, but I am here to defend it once again. In today’s society, people are easil...

A common topic discussed within the disability community is the need for affordable, accessible housing. A home is supposed to be a haven, a refuge to relax in, but for those with disabilities, an inaccessible home can be an unsafe hindrance. With the use of reasonable accommodations and universal design homes, people with disabilities can once again find a safe and accessible haven. One of the first lessons a person with a disability learns is to adapt to the world around them. Those who cannot afford a fully customized accessible dwelling can find it frustrating and ultimately unsafe. When I moved into my first apartment. I was placed in a unit that had steps at the entrance. The steps had railings on both sides. I was able to lift my four-wheel walker up the steps one-handed while maintaining my balance by using my other hand to hold onto the railing as I walked up the steps. I did this for a while until I had a decline in my health and had to begin using a wheelchair. From that poi...

  Do you support disabled entrepreneurs? If you answered yes, then you should wear purple socks on December 3!   Seems silly, right? Well, the idea for this came about last year from Victoria Jenkins, an award-winning adaptive designer, speaker, disability advocate, and writer. She backed last year’s Purple Sock Day as a way to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.   Victoria Jenkins' work last year was an incredible way to support entrepreneurs with disabilities. Oftentimes, people with disabilities like myself are often told that we will never amount to anything, much less design a business or make any profits. Let’s explore other ways to support disabled entrepreneurs beyond just purchasing our product or using our service.   ●      Partner with entrepreneurs with disabilities in areas where they need more support. Let’s say you know someone with a disability who wants to start up a business. However, an area that they need supp...

I have been writing for this blog for 12 years. I have found a new passion in the form of advocacy, and over the last 12 years, I have not only found my voice but have also helped others find theirs. However, when I was younger, I had a slightly different passion, which some would have called an obsession. I was a hardcore gamer. The first system I could play by myself was the Super Nintendo. My favorite game was Bart’s Nightmare—one of the many Simpsons games that came out in the early '90s. I also played the classics such as Paperboy and Yoshi’s Island, just to name a few. That slowly changed as time progressed; my love for video games did not disappear, but my ability to use my hands drastically changed, and even though, whenever possible, I used an adaptive controller. It was basically an arcade-style joystick with big buttons to make it easier to see. Also, you did not have to use a great deal of force for the buttons to react to your touch. Unfortunately, as time and technolo...

Imagine you had just graduated from high school and you are considering what to do next. You have a passion for learning and helping others, so you decide to pursue teaching as a career. For those who do pursue this noble profession, the world says thank you. I went to school to become a teacher, but due to circumstances and individual biases, I did not end up becoming one in the traditional sense. I have indeed found my way to teach through this blog and my advocacy efforts; however, this particular piece is a nod to teachers in the traditional sense. It will discuss teaching as a profession and a teaching style that I wish had been more prevalent when I was in school pursuing my post-secondary education. What is that style, you may ask? It is known as inclusive learning. To begin, let’s discuss what it takes to become a teacher in America versus other places around the world. To become a teacher in America, one has to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in either education or a par...

  Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump won a second term in the White House last year. There is no changing that. For the next three and a half years, barring an accident or his death, he will be the President of the United States and play a significant role in shaping policies that affect the Voiceless Minority. Members of The Voiceless Minority, like myself, have already seen President Trump make drastic cuts to Medicaid. For those readers who are unaware of the significance of Medicaid to people with disabilities, let me take a few minutes to educate you, the reader, on the program’s benefits. Medicaid provides assistance to people with disabilities and those who have a low income. The requirements to obtain/stay on Medicaid mean you are forced to remain at or below the poverty level. Before my readers who are Conservative comment something like, "No one is forced to be poor if you work hard, you can achieve anything. I must say that while this sentiment is a good ide...

  The simple act of getting dressed in the morning can be a genuine struggle for someone who has a disability. For not only themselves but for those assisting them. Adaptive fashion has made this simple task that many may take for granted much easier. Many recognizable clothing companies have now made it part of their mission to include adaptive wear in their collections. Some notable mentions include Zappos, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger, Kohl's, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and PINK. Adaptive clothing is clothing designed to be more comfortable and easier to use for people with disabilities, injuries, or age-related limitations. These clothes feature modifications like magnetic closures, wider openings, and adaptable fits to address challenges with traditional clothing. The goal is to enhance independence and dignity during dressing and undressing.  In the past, if someone needed clothing tailored to fit them specifically due to a disability or condition, they had to either cre...

 I was born country, and that's what I'll always be. This old Alabama song lyric came to mind while I was researching for this article. For anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I love country music. Still, I prefer city creature comforts over country life, despite my claims to be a country enthusiast. However, my research for this article has given me hope that outdoor spaces may become more accessible to me and others like me in the future. I know nature is going to become less hilly and treacherous, but I mean that camping outdoors may be more accessible than I had previously thought. The rest of this article will outline some key considerations for making your outdoor adventure accessible. I live in Florida, where we're known for Disney World and election headaches, but we also have some pretty cool places. However, when you are a wheelchair user like me, camping is not usually high on your priority list. In an article that was published late last September in ...

Mental health is as important as physical health, but the way we treat people’s mental health needs in the United States, you wouldn’t think that we value mental health. A disturbing study that came out last summer in the Journal of JAMA highlights the poor standing of mental health in our society. The study focused on people who are on Medicaid, i.e., low-income or those with disabilities. While the study found that there were clinicians who “accepted” Medicaid, it found that in the five cities studied, only 15% of providers who were accepting Medicaid were available for appointments. This is not only sad but ridiculous. I am going to open up for a minute and let my readers know that I take advantage of psychiatric and counseling services. I think everyone should do so, especially with all the garbage that life, the universe, and other humans throw at us. I have been using psychiatric services since the age of 18. Let’s just say I wasn’t always as okay with my disability or other as...

One of the biggest misconceptions about disability is that just because one has a disability, one cannot learn. Pieces of legislation in recent history, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP), have mitigated this misconception to a degree but are they enough to break the glass ceiling that society has imposed on disabled individuals as a result of what they have been taught about disabilities in the first place? The term ‘glass ceiling’ is typically used in business settings, and it refers to the final position an individual reaches beyond which they are unable to advance despite having qualifications that make them eligible for higher-level positions. To be clear, this has to do with bias that exists in those environments, not necessarily the policies that are in place. However, for this piece, I will use it about those who have disabilities that have been, or are currently being, educationally stunted by those around ...

  As a journalist, it is your job to always be on the lookout for the next story or trend. I am no different; I am always looking for the next topic to cover on this blog; however, I never thought I would find it while chilling with my dad on a Tuesday afternoon. For those of you who don’t know him, let me quickly make an introduction. My dad is a loving, caring, ornery 63-year-old pain in my butt, but I love him with all my heart. Approximately 13 years ago, he became disabled, and we have grown closer since. Due to the nature of his disability, my dad has changed not only physically but also in other ways as well. He no longer has the attention span to watch a whole TV program or even read an entire chapter in a book. This means he enjoys doing so; it simply means that where you and I can watch a half-hour program in one sitting, it takes tremendous effort for my dad to do so. Therefore, he spends most of his time in his man-cave watching short YouTube clips. They can range from ...

Some people with disabilities require the assistance of a caregiver. Below are some questions you can ask during an interview. Interviewing a caregiver beforehand allows both you and that potential caregiver to get to know one another and see if the care they can provide can meet your needs.  Note, these are not the only questions you should ask during an interview; the questions below are a good place to begin if you are unsure of what you should ask. These questions were transcribed from one of Samantha's YouTube videos entitled "Top 10 Questions To Ask A Caregiver in 2021", which can be found on her YouTube channel called Being Sammy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPytfu95odc How many clients do you have? Ask this question right away because it will let you know how much time they have to dedicate to your needs. Sometimes, when they have too many clients, it can lead to schedule conflicts, double bookings, and even emotional stress for the caregiver, especially if tha...

“Casting call! Casting call! Calling all actors and actresses. We are looking for someone to play someone with a disability.”  Anyone who knows me knows I'd jump, not literally, unless we are talking about a spasm, if I saw a casting call flyer with the criteria listed above. The sad reality is, crip casting is a thing. Crip casting, for example, happened in the movie The Upside. Bryan Cranston, who I am not denying is a great able-bodied actor, was chosen to play the disabled character Phillip, even though it does not appear as if he has a physical disability himself. The example of crip casting in The Upside is not unusual.  For the most part, disabled characters in TV and film are not portrayed by people with disabilities but rather by the able-bodied community.  Perhaps this is why there are three archetypes of disability. We are either portrayed as someone who needs saving, needs to be cured, or is a villain. Let me further illustrate what I mean. The earlier example...