The Voiceless Minority

It is the Fourth of July, the weather is nice with no rain in sight, and the sun has set a few hours prior. You are with friends and family at a local outdoor location to enjoy some fireworks. Before you know it, the sky is lit up with beautiful colors. Then you glance to the side and notice a young child sitting on the ground with their hands covering their ears. You do not think much of it. You figure the fireworks are too loud for them to handle, but what if this were a full-grown adult? Would you think differently? In the above scenario, I would be the full-grown adult covering my ears because I have a hearing disorder called hyperacusis. Hyperacusis is a rare hearing disorder that makes everyday sounds seem unbearably loud, painful, or frightening. The brain perceives sounds as loud regardless of their frequency, whether low or high. For as long as I can remember, sounds have always dictated how I go about my day. I was not diagnosed with hyperacusis until I was 25.  Before my...

Okay, so anyone who has read these past few blogs I've written knows that my brain tends to explode every once in a while. Earlier this month, it was my inner theater kid, and now it is my inner advocate slash nerd. I was checking my email today when I came across Thursday’s Disability Florida Rights podcast (August 8, 2024). This podcast was a gift from the universe because it talked about something I have been dreaming of for a while. It discussed the organization called the Disabled Journalist Association. Cara Reedy founded this kickass organization. As she states in the podcast, she is a light-skinned African American woman and a little person. Throughout the podcast, it is clear that she doesn’t let her disability slow her down even though she says, “…being a dwarf does change the perception in people's head.” She outlines her reasons for starting the disabled journalist association throughout the interview. Ms. Reedy felt that there weren’t enough disabled journalists ...

Thank you for your overwhelming support of yesterday's blog about Braille Legos. Today's post will be a little bit different. Near the end of August, I was lucky enough to be a part of a team that gave a presentation on what is known as self-determination. For those of you who are reading this but were unable to attend the presentation I thought I would write a blog using easy-to-understand language about the concept. Introduction: In the journey towards creating an inclusive society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s principles of self-determination serve as strong examples of empowerment. These principles emphasize the significance of autonomy, choice, and personal growth for individuals with disabilities. Let’s delve into the essence of self-determination and explore its profound impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Understanding Self-Determination:  At its core, self-determination encompasses the idea that individuals with disabilities have the right to make ...