A Little Bit of Hope

         Today's blog is a combination of things. It is partially comprised of an article that I shared on Facebook about an acquaintance I knew in North Carolina. However, the message of the article is more potent than one individual girl. 
         The article below is about Hope Johnson, a 32-year-old with the same type of Cerebral Palsy that I have. She is a shining example of how very few people with disabilities ignore their disability and strive for their full potential. Hope's message is that our obstacles, but what we do to overcome them, shall not define us. Although this particular piece of writing is not entirely my own, I felt it was crucial to share here because it embodies the message of The Voiceless Minority Blog in that one should fear nothing and regret less even if society tells them to worry about the obstacles that they have been given at the start of this journey called life. 
         I thank my friend Angela Swanson for sharing this on Facebook, and everyone should check out Hope's blog. 
         



"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all."

 

This Emily Dickinson quote headlines the blog of a miraculous Messiah College senior, Hope Johnson, who was born with athetoid cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement, coordination, balance, and posture and is caused by an injury to the brain or by unusual brain development.

 

Because of cerebral palsy's unrelenting grip, Hope, 32, is without the use of her arms, legs, and voice. She "speaks" with her left foot, painstakingly typing out words with only her big toe, on a specially designed keyboard at the base of her adopted computer workstation.

 

Worldwide, 17 million people live with cerebral palsy, and another 350 million are closely connected to a child or adult with CP. It is the most common physical disability in childhood, according to UCP Central Pennsylvania, which is marking its 60-year history of serving children, youth, adults, and seniors not only with CP but with autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other conditions and diagnoses.

"I think what saddens me the most is people's attitude about individuals with disabilities. They assume that you can't." – Hope Johnson

 

Although Hope cannot "speak" in the traditional sense, she has a powerful voice and an inspiring message, which she's eager to share on her blog, aptly entitled "A The journey of Hope."

 

Dickinson's "hope" quotes illuminate and inspires her life.

 

"Her name so fits her," said Lynda Bowen, UCP Marketing and Communications Coordinator, and Hope's supervisor during her two internships at UCP.

 

Hope has stylishly short-cropped hair, expressive eyes, and a ready smile. She goes shoeless so that her polished toe can type out her thoughts. Her writings display an unshakeable belief that she is not disabled, only "differently-abled" and that she will not "become my Cerebral Palsy."

 

She first started college on a North Carolina campus lauded as handicapped accessible. But she soon learned a painful lesson: "Accessibility does not mean acceptance."

 

Now an English major, with a writing emphasis, at Messiah, Hope is proving that physical limits do not restrict the flow of creativity and intellect. She has lived on her own on-campus since 2007, with modifications added by the college to allow her to live independently.

Ann Beasom, her Community Integration Specialist, advocate, and friend, accompanies Hope to class and serves as her "voice" on campus. She does this by sounding out the words Hope types on a simple toeboard in a black binder that resembles a Scrabble game board.

 

Hope is on track to graduate from Messiah in May of 2014. When she does, she will be their first non-ambulatory, nonverbal graduate. It will have taken her ten years to earn that coveted diploma. Will she cry when she gets her certificate? "Of course!" she types without hesitation.

 

Bowen said Hope is destined to draw a standing ovation, especially from an admiring faculty.

 

Samuel Smith, chairman of Messiah College's English department and one of Hope's professors, wrote in a letter of recommendation that "Hope is one of the most inspiring individuals I have encountered in my 20+ year teaching career. A solid work ethic sustained her excellent work in my class.

 

"But perhaps just as important as her abilities and skills, Hope approaches all her work with passionate care," Smith wrote. "She has an integrity of character — a strong self of herself as a moral and responsible self — that all of us can take for inspiration."

 

Hope's long-range career goal is to advocate for people with disabilities and work as a professional writer. She got a taste of what it would be like to realize those goals during her summers as an intern for UCP's Development Department.

 

Hope is among the success stories to be shared as UCP celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2013.

"I try to live my life without limits," Hope says, clearly modeling the organization's motto of "life without limits for people with disabilities." She dazzled everyone around her during her internships with UCP, curating content for their social media, critiquing the literature on CP, and writing original content for their newsletter.

She even developed and launched a notecard fundraiser that has raised $1,500 for the organization that helped her unleash her full potential.

 

Bowen marvels at the fact that Hope's work is virtually error-free.

"Her stuff comes through, and you'd never know what it takes to do this," Bowen said. Content, grammar, and punctuation are all "flawless," providing little proof of the struggle behind the creation.

 

UCP statistics show that the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is 71 percent, yet the vast majority of these unemployed adults want to work.

 

Hope said her grandparents taught her to type. Although they have both passed away, she is quick to acknowledge the remarkable impact on her life. Tears fill her eyes as she types on the toeboard, "They're looking down on me, smiling."

 

But she does not dwell on the grief.

 

"I think what saddens me the most is people's attitude about individuals with disabilities," she said. "They just assume that you can't."

 

What would she tell those non-believers? "I think I show more than tell."

 

But then she taps out this jewel: "You never know what's inside."

 

Her joys in life include writing, particularly poetry, and spending time at Bethany Beach, Delaware, where she rolls a chair right up to the water's foamy edge. She dreams of traveling to France, Italy, and England someday but knows that accessibility issues will complicate her movements.

 

It is her nature to be "pleasant, polite and upbeat," she said, acknowledging that "Sometimes I overcompensate." One of her biggest challenges, she said, is fatigue. It takes so much effort to type, painstakingly communicating, letter by letter.

 

In one of her most poignant poems, she writes how she is not physically limited in her nighttime dreams. She experiences the miracle of having no physical restriction. "One cannot describe the exhilaration that one feels flying. It is as if the soul is free from any bondage it encounters in life."

 

Yes, her professors have taught her, but she has taught them, too: "Anything is possible if you have an open mind."

 

She has begun work on a memoir, and one of her favorite professors has encouraged her to try to get it published.

 

On her blog, she types, "I hold power to captivate just by the pressure of my toe striking each key, and I thank my audience for putting all of this at my 'feet.'"

 

Power resides in even the smallest of people – and words. Like "hope." 

At a glance

•   WHAT: UCP of Central Pennsylvania celebrates 60 years of service to people of all abilities.

•   WHEN: Reception at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 and dinner at 7.

•   WHERE: West Shore Country Club, 100 Brentwater Road, East Pennsboro Township.

•   INFO: Anyone who has been helped by UCP is encouraged to share their story in words or photographs. Please check the website at www.ucpcentralpa.org for additional details. For more information, call 717-975-0611 or email Janeen Latin at jlatin@ucpcentralpa.org.

       I got the original article from pennlive.com. If you would like to hear more about the UCP, then go to http://www.ucpcentralpa.org/. Leonard Goldenson founded the UCP organization. Leonard Goldenson was a true pioneer in that UCP would be the first "disability to utilize telethons" for fundraising. Goldenson would eventually become the head of the American Broadcasting network ABC. 
       The UCP organization provides various services with 85% of its 750 million dollar budget towards programs ranging from education services to travel expenses, parenting, and family and support. There are more than 100 affiliates of the UCP all over the United States with Canada and Australia. UCP does not provide a one-size-fits-all type of service. It typically tailors its services to its locations and needs. 
       Overall, the UCP and the message of young Hope Johnson reiterate that disability should not define a person, but rather a person should define themselves. Disability should only be a part of that definition. 

Thank You

So this is not going to be like a regular blog of mine. It is just a quick note to thank you for your support with the blog in general, but specifically for any of you have called to support the CRPD. Remember, the second round of hearings is this Tuesday, November 12^th. They can be seen on CSPAN or the Foreign Relations Committee website. However, once these hearings are over, that does not mean the process is over. The issue will not come to a vote for several months, so I ask for your continued support and ask that you continue to call your senators until the American disability community has more to be remembered for than just the ADA. Here’s to hoping we can pass the CRPD within the year. Thank you again. 

CRPD Hearing: Round 1 Aftermath

 Today was the first of two hearings on the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities conducted by the United States Foreign Relations Committee. The hearing went for approximately two and a half hours. Both sides of the issue were equally given time to present their argument. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey did a fine job proceeding over the hearings.
       My the previous blog laid out my position on the treaty as well as the position of approximately twenty-six prominent disabled organizations in the U.S. As I sat and watched the hearings that were broadcast life on C-Span something struck me. Regardless of where one falls in regards to the treaty, the disabled community can only see the hearings as a positive. Not since 1990 has the disabled community’s needs been put front and center. Twenty + years ago this quiet segment of society was given a voice and a great voice that allowed such platforms like this blog to exist.
       Amongst all the debates over how the U.S. was going to be affected by the treaty I kept hearing one theme. The U.S. and the ADA are the gold standards in disability rights. For the first time in a long time, American was acknowledging the positive impact we had made on the world. We might disagree on such issues as how big government should be or even what roles government should play in our lives, but for this one day, we were able to put aside differences and civilly debate an issue. On both sides of the issue, there were bipartisan contingencies. Democrats and Republicans were supporting the treaty as well as forcing their opinion against it. Between all the battling, over whether a United States individual’s right to be homeschooled would be affected I heard one important thing. No one out loud said it but it was still there. The importance of disability and individuals with disabilities, which was not recognized 20 years ago, was again at the forefront of the American political arena today.
       I could get into all the arguments that took place over adding or subtracting political Ruts that would protect America’s laws, but that is not the point of this blog entry.  Although this blog entry is going to be fairly short compared to the other postings I simply wanted to write to express my great thanks to the Foreign Relations Committee for even discussing disability rights on a major stage. I hope that they do pass the treaty because I am a firm believer that the billion people with disabilities worldwide deserve at least the same quality of life that their able-bodied counterparts get, in whichever country they live in.  I understand both sides, but as these supporters said while the hearings closed, “America is a great and powerful nation. We are the best example of disability rights out there. This would be a great way to extend our leadership without negative influence on the international community.” Whether you agree with my opinion or not, one cannot disagree with the point that today and the hearings next week are the beginnings of what can be a great time for disability rights in America and the world.

P.S.: For those who missed the hearings today you can view an archived video session on C-Span’s website or on the Foreign Relations Committee website. You can also keep in mind that the second round of hearings will occur next Tuesday. For those who are not familiar with the Political process these hearings do not signify the United States’ ratification of the treaty rather they are just the first procedural step required to eventually bring the issue of treaty ratification to the floor. 

CRPD

       As the 11-month of the year begins, we also mark the end of a month-long celebration. October was Disability Awareness Month. Disability Awareness Month is designed to acknowledge all forms of disability, everything from emotional and behavioral to mental and physical. My university recently even did an exhibit entitled “Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit.” This consisted of a variety of stations at which visitors could experience an aspect of being disabled. In October, the events that were held throughout the country demonstrated a great effort in the disability community to bring awareness to an often forgotten minority. However, there is a much greater task at hand.
       Rarely do I call my readers to action, but this time I am asking you to read what follows and use your political voice to make a difference. On November 5^th and 12^th, your voice can be heard. The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is holding hearings on whether or not to ratify a treaty for persons with disabilities. The treaty is known as the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” an international treaty that needs the United States’ support. On December 5^th, 2012, it only fell five votes short of a supermajority known as ratification. As these Senate hearings approach, I urge you to not only email your Senators but also place a phone call to their offices. To re-affirm your support for people with disabilities. 
       Why I should support the CRPD:

·      57 million Americans with Disabilities

·      5.5. Million disabled American Veterans

·      1 billion people worldwide

·      Would be joining supporters such as significant faith groups, the Chamber of Commerce, American Association of People with Disabilities, and many other groups in America/Worldwide.

·      No additional cost to the American taxpayer.

·       the treaty has been reviewed by Republican and Democratic Attorneys General and by past Counsel to Presidents. They confirm that it does not threaten the sovereignty of the U.S., nor does it require any new legislation to comply with the treaty.

· Disabled individuals can contribute and be functioning members of society. As well as being suitable for American commerce. 

If you still need a little bit more background, then here is the history of the CRPD. The CRPD was first pushed forward by Mexico and then taken charge of by the country of New Zealand. For the first time in its history, the U.S. is not at the forefront of an International Movement, but it is late to the party.
       For a country with such sweeping legislation (such as the American with Disabilities Act), it is a shame that the CRPD already has 158 signatories, and the U.S. is not on the list. Please support the CRPD so that the American Disability Rights Movement can be heard in the 21^st century and not just known for something done over two decades ago.

 

 

 

 

Footnotes:

1.)http://power.aapd.com/site/Calendar?id=100081&view=Detail

Come On, Man!

 So a couple of days ago, a friend of mine sent me a group message on Facebook. Usually, I ignore group messages, and I don't know why, but I do. This time I checked it out, though, because this friend does not usually send group messages. Upon further review of the message, I clicked on an article, which was very disturbing. This blog piece is less applaud and more a letter to the subject of that article. 
       Most of us in this U.S. love sports, and one of the most popular sports in our country, is the NFL. For my unfamiliar world readers, that stands for the National Football League. Football players in America have undergone many changes throughout the decades. When the game started, there was not as much fanfare surrounding it as there is now. Players got "real" jobs in the off-season and did not forget that they played a game for a living.       

       However, as everything does, athletes' perception gradually changed, and now they are seen as notable celebrities. With this newfound fame came certain shortcomings. Some athletes developed the opinion that they were above others. I can understand how this occurs when one makes millions and millions of dollars to catch a ball or, in the case of this article subject, to throw that ball. I love sports. I'm a sports junkie, but to steal a famous line from a Monday night countdown show on ESPN by one of the best sports anchors ever—Chris Berman, when I read the article, all I could think was, "Come on, man!" I will put the actual link for the article at the bottom of this blog post. It can also be found on this blog's Facebook page located at www.thevoicelessminority.facebook.com. In short, the article was about how athletics can corrupt a person. Athletics can change people who are completely logical and normal into egotistical morons. 
       I am sure Jay Cutler (who the article is about) was a nice individual before he started to play Football, but I must ask Mr. Cutler a question. How many times have you been sacked, and are you don't still have a concussion? That is the only way I can explain your ignorant comments in a recent pro football mock article. The article, which I'm sure you are aware of by now, Mr. Cutler, was about your defending your illegal use of an accessible parking spot. You said, "goddamned if I'm going to wedge this $250,000 beauty into one of those narrow ass spots in the back of the lot like some practice squad chump, and then schlep my ass to the building for some stupid film study sessions or whatever." So let me guess this straight, Mr. Cutler. You have perfect use of your body, you have a god-given the talent to throw a ball better than 95% of the people on this planet, and you get paid millions and millions of dollars to do so. Yet you don't want to use your working ways to walk across a parking lot?! Is that precisely what you are saying with your quote? Before you say, "Oh, you're just some fan who doesn't understand, and you're a pion," let me tell you a little bit about myself, Mr. Cutler. I am a 27-year-old disabled individual who is confined to a power wheelchair. I have Cerebral Palsy, which is a neuromuscular disability, which affects my motor coordination. There are thousands of other people like many others and me who have different physical disabilities—one of which works as a payroll clerk with your Chicago Bears. The comment you made was made before your recent groin injury. Suddenly you have had a change of heart! Now you demand that your beloved Bears have a golf cart with an attendant at your beck and call. 
       Mr. Cutler, I am sure playing the game of Football or being an athlete, in general, is more challenging than I can imagine but (and I'm trying to be as lovely as possible) you could never survive a day in my life or anyone else's life who has it 10x worse than you. The Bears should be ashamed that an ignorant individual such as you represents their organization. In case that wasn't a clear enough statement on how disappointed and outraged I am as a disabled citizen, let me put it another way for you. You should be ashamed of yourself as a human being. Maybe, my friend, you should get your head out of the clouds and realize that you have a luxury that 95% of the people in this world never get. Maybe this little groin setback should serve as a wake-up call to show you that life can be a whole lot worse, but it probably won't. People like you perpetuate continuing stereotypes ignorance about people with disabilities and people who are different in general. 
       I am not just a disabled person. The fact is, Mr. Cutler, I am going for my Master's Degree. Indeed, I am in the process of taking my last class for my Masters in Education. The game you play will end someday. I hope for your sake you have something to fall back on. As I said before, you should be ashamed of yourself as a human being, and anyone who supports you after the comments you made is equally at fault. They may not be ignorant, but they are complacent and complicit. 

Sincerely,
Mr. Jason Hahr

Footnote:
1.) http://profootballmock.com/jay-cutler-now-legally-permitted-to-use-handicapped-spot-hes-already-been-parking-in-for-years-anyway/

Government Shutdown

So I've written a lot about disability issues, and while that is my main focus for this blog, I thought I would expand it a little bit. To show you (the reader) that while I, as a disabled person, am very aware of issues that concern the disabled community, I am more than just a disabled person. Therefore, this blog post is going to talk about something relevant to all of us as Americans--the recent Government shutdown
       Now I realize that you guys are probably sick about hearing about this from talking heads related to media on both sides. Because of the advent of cable T.V., the news media doesn't work hard, but they repeat the same thing over and over again. They treat us like Five Second Tom from Fifty First Dates.  Five Second Tom is an individual that we meet in the care facility with a five-second memory and re-introduces himself every five seconds. The media treats us, the American people, as if we don't comprehend what they tell us. As a result of this perception of their audience, they are forced to reiterate the same things repeatedly. The government shutdown was no different. 
       Every second, you would hear either major media network describing what was happening as if the American public wasn't aware. However, (remember the media stated last night) America has gotten to the point where we ignore what goes on in Washington because Washington has not become the little boy who cries wolf. Every other day there is a "crisis," and in the Obama Administration, it's been the Benghazi scandal, the IRS debacle, or the "fiscal cliff fiasco." Everybody blames Obama for the fiscal cliff fiasco while playing a part with his "Obama care" idea. I only call it Obama care because the majority of the nation calls it that now. It's called the Affordable Health Care Act. Obama is not the only one that caused America to be where we are at financially. 
       Who do I blame? The answer is simple. I blame our culture and our society. I don't blame capitalism. This is not a communist rant or a push for socialism. It is a call for reason and logic! Let me explain, and the best way I can do that is by using a note that I recently wrote on Facebook in regards to a situation my University is going through. 

 "Okay, So I've never been a fan of authority. I always do what people tell me I can't do. I guess it comes with being not your average gimp. Lately, there's been a lot of stuff being said about how our University is a horrible place, and don't get me wrong, I've had my moments when I disliked certain things, but perhaps the federal government can learn from the hard decisions that the University has to make right now. The fact is, no one can spend more money than they make. I've learned that the hard way. No university, government, or person is immune. A similar issue to the one our University is currently facing occurred at my former school several years ago. At the time, I was bitter because they closed the handicap personal care program. Back then, the president presented similar economic facts to the ones Dr. W offers below. Difficult choices had to be made, and they have to be made now. By no means am I an advocate for everything my University does? I've had my battles with them, but I have this to say as far as what's going on now.

     Many people have been complaining about here, and some of their complaints may have been based on fact, but some, have not. When people are involved in a situation, they do not often take time to look at a situation's facts. They/ only tend to see the facts that benefit our point of view. How can we bitch at the government for overspending when we are not taught as a society that overspending is not okay. The University has to make difficult choices right now. They are not ideal, but unless we know all the facts, who are we to judge? Just saying.  Below is an email that every university student got. Most of you probably ignored it because we tend to like to complain rather than deal with the realities of situations. I thought I would include it below. Ms. W and the administration will try to put the most positive information out there, but at least they are presenting more facts than most people that I know who talk about it. 

   

 

Dear Students,

 

As our academic leaders continue to explore alternatives to the faculty retrenchment proposals in the Operations and Workforce Plan, I am writing to update the critical discussions on our campus. I believe the open flow of accurate information is the best way to reach the decisions we need to make together about cutting our expenses, increasing our revenue, and positioning our University for a healthy future.

 

Through talking with numerous student groups over the last several days, I learned that our students had heard a great deal of misinformation about the proposals and the impact of possible faculty retrenchment on their education.

 

To clear up this misinformation and calm any fears that the misinformation has created, I want to share the following:

 

-          The Operations and Workforce Plan is a collection of proposals. It is a starting point for the process of finding the best possible ways to balance our budget. When a specific course of action is chosen – to save a significant proposed for a moratorium or to act on a proposed cut, for example – I will share that information with the campus community as soon as possible.

 

-          Our academic leaders are working with department chairs and other faculty to ensure that cost-cutting has the least impact possible on faculty and students. This process will continue throughout the current academic year. Already they have made good progress on determining alternatives to eliminating faculty positions.

 

-          All University students will be able to complete their degrees, even if their program is placed in moratorium or faculty positions are eliminated in their department. 

 

-          Our Art Department is not being eliminated. Art is our flagship program here at our University and a significant part of our identity. The only proposed cuts in that area are eliminating five and a half temporary faculty and one regular faculty position, which is vacant, out of an extensive department.

 

-          I am very hopeful that a way can save music and music education as majors. Music is an essential and valued part of our campus culture. However, even if it can't continue as a major, music will continue to be taught and performed at the University. We will have a band, bagpipes, and ensembles.   Students currently enrolled as music majors will be able to complete their majors without interruption.

 

-          Cost-cutting, including reductions in the size of our faculty and all other employees groups to bring their size in line with our smaller enrollment, is unavoidable. The University will spend $7 million more this year than it takes in through tuition, fees, state appropriation, and other sources. Next year, we will spend more than $10 million more than we receive if nothing is done to adjust our costs. We don't have enough money saved in our reserve to continue outspending our revenue beyond this fiscal year. 

 

-          Our state appropriation is the same as in 1997, but those dollars have far less buying power. Just as the cost of your phone plan or favorite foods periodically go up, the items and services that the University must pay for becoming more expensive over time. Our appropriation would need to be 42% larger today to pay for the same things it did 16 years ago.

 

 

And finally, you are free to express your opinion about the Operations and Workforce Plan proposals. I encourage it. Your voice and suggestions are valued.

 

If you feel moved to participate in a demonstration, that is your right, and I respect it. Another productive way to express your opinion is to join the conversation on campus about our budget challenges. The next campus-wide Budget Forum will be held Monday, October 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Pogue Student Center - Multipurpose Room A. My next Listening Hour also will be Monday, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Crawford Center Conference Room. Your questions and input are welcome at both of these sessions. You also can share your ideas for reducing expenses and increasing revenue on our online Operations and Workforce Suggestion Forum using the link on [webpage].

 

This is a difficult situation that demands that we face our challenges directly. Solutions to fix the continuing budget imbalance created by reduced state funding and lower enrollment must be creative but realistic. We must act decisively this year for the long-term good of the University and you, its students. I continue to be overly optimistic that together we can and will achieve the savings and develop the new revenue sources needed to keep our University strong and make it even stronger.

 

Best regards,

Dr. W"

       The above note is a microcosm of a lesson that both parties need to learn. If one who makes 500 dollars a week, they can only spend 500 dollars a week. The government is acting like a college kid who gets all those credit card offers in the mail. They think just because we're allowed to spend into debt that it means we should. Now I am not an idiot. I realize that this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. As I said before, it is a societal issue. In the last 2 or 3 generations, we have not been taught the value of saving and being responsible with our money. I am a perfect example. However, until we learn this philosophy, we are doomed to repeat the same course no matter what part is in power. 
       As far as shutting down the government to get your point across, no matter what side you are on, I think there is a crucial point or philosophy that the American people have learned from this shutdown or should if they haven't. These officials there in Washington, no matter what party they represent, were put there by us. We need to take some responsibility and remember what special privilege we have on the nation and how we have to change the system. We could act like my friends on Facebook and continue to bitch about the problems this country has, or we could radically alter the system. Whether it be radically transforming it for fiscal change or disability/women's rights. If we let the system live as it always has, we will always get the same results. 
       Take, for example, the bill they passed to re-open the government as of 12:01 a.m. August 17. They only passed a bill that would give us funds for 90 days. They didn't make any significant changes. They are still squabbling over the same decisive issues that they have been for weeks now. Because ideology thinks they are better than another one. I do have some fiscally different ideas from others, but this is not the place nor form to present them. If I did, I would be like every other talking head on T.V. trying to present their side as the "correct" one instead then trying to find the solution. This goes way deeper than whether or not I represent an elephant or a donkey. My political party should not matter. As our first president said, "A nation should beware of political parties" because they will get us in the mess we are in now. What should matter is not always being right all the time because not everybody will be happy with everything all the time. So this is a call to Congress and Obama, but most of all, to the American people. It is time to stop telling us what you want or what you're going to do and do something about it! Put your ego aside, and remember you live in a country with 316,869,000 people. It is not just about what YOU want, but it is about compromise because no one can be king. We fought a war because we did not want to be controlled by a king, so quit acting like one side is right, and the other side is wrong.

       I'm getting off my soapbox for now, but the above should demonstrate that no matter your physical ability, one could have a voice or opinion about critical issues. People often see those with disabilities as "passive citizens." Well, this piece should indicate that some of us are not passive at all.