It is amazing what I can get myself into.
Since my revelation a few years back that I could do this disability stuff much better on my own, I have found myself going down pathways I could have never thought possible. I can be anywhere, and I will see or hear an opportunity… and bam! Off I go!
Recently, a football camp for kids with and without disabilities has turned into a major media event for the town. My goal? Furnish IPads for the Special Education Department at our public schools. The event is wrapped around the upcoming Super Bowl in Indianapolis and simply continues to grow every time I make a phone call.
It’s not anything I am doing, but the synergy of bringing together a lot of people who possess different talents and connections to people who can get things done. It is crazy, but fun and I would rather garner IPad’s for the kids this way than through an IEP.
Which of course is my point.
Is my method of getting things done for everyone? No. But it may not be that far outside your comfort zone either. Let me give you an example. My daughter, who has Down syndrome, sits at our dinner table every night talking about French class. Never mind that she doesn’t take French, I enjoy listening to her imagination take flight. But the other day, it was more than a smile and a wink to my husband that got me thinking. I thought – what about a French class for our daughter?
She can’t keep up with a regular class load, but if my daughter really wants to learn French, then by God, I will give her a French class.
This of course, took me one step further. What about some extracurricular activities after school for kids with disabilities? Mind you, I’m an inclusion nut – but my daughter would prefer to be with kids like herself, so could I set up a curriculum of activities for kids after school with disabilities? A foreign language or art class? Find some families that would be interested, determine the cost, and proceed. Maybe go to the PTO for a grant if I need additional funds.
That is how it works. And I have found that once you start thinking this way, the world is your oyster – or better yet, your child’s oyster. No one will be able to hold you back. There is no paperwork. There are no requirements or people wondering through your life asking for personal information. It’s normal – just like we all say, time after time, that we want it to be.
No one is embracing this way of thinking more than Aspire out of Chicago, who every day is empowering people who have different abilities to live productive lives in new and innovative ways. They are taking full advantage of social entrepreneurship through the creation of Aspire Coffee Works. Through this social enterprise partnership, they have created jobs for people with disabilities and are empowering them to grasp the rewards of living a fulfilling life. Please watch their video and be INSPIRED and think about what opportunity awaits you. Oh, and by the way, their coffee is great! Order and enjoy!
Hilary
November 30, 2011 at 9:14 amValerie, your daughters, all of them, are so lucky to have you for a mom. While we all may not be able to do everything, regardless of any disabilites or not, we all should have the opportunity to try. Sucess should be in our eyes… Oh, I can see your daughter speaking French now
You are so right. It is all about perspective… in good times and bad. I so understand what you mean about your husband;s job. We just lost my father-in-law, and while it is so hard for his family, we know that considering his condition, during the past few months, and his outlook for the future, it was really a blessing for him.
Valerie Strohl
November 30, 2011 at 2:19 pmHi Hilary! It is so good to hear from you! Thanks for your comment and sharing your own story! Hope you and your family are doing well!
Becky Beaubien
November 30, 2011 at 12:40 pmAll these ideas sound amazing..I love it. You truly seize opportunities and show others what a little desire and drive can accomplish!
Valerie Strohl
November 30, 2011 at 2:18 pmYou are doing the same, Becky. By putting Kristen out there, you are well on your way to seize opportunity after opportunity!
Pam W
December 2, 2011 at 4:35 amIt would be really cool to write a grant for an inclusive after school art or French class for her and some of her classmates and neighbors who may or may not have a diagnosis but are intimidated by making art or learning a second language in school. As long as half or two thirds of the spots would be for kids with a diagnosis, it would be great that the diversity of the class reflected her community in reverse. Sometimes kids with disabilities have siblings who would enjoy a perc like that.
My son wanted to play tennis for ages, and especially in high school – but the opportunity did not arise and there was resistance from quarters I was not up to challenging. When I did happen to find tennis lessons for him in the community he showed us that he was a natural, and never looked back. We have met great families every session; and siblings play, too – with varying degrees of athleticism. In a very competitive sport, it’s good to have a chance to play without the pressure of those expectations to be excellent when it’s perfectly admirable to be good with lots of room for improvement.
Everything great that we have found in our community has been the result of individuals with great ideas. I love yours. Keep ‘em coming!
Valerie Strohl
December 2, 2011 at 7:22 amThanks for your input on this Pam and I am so happy that you were able to find a resource for your son. These kinds of comments show my readers that what I am proposing is not only possible, it is already happening. I also like your idea of including other kids in the after school program! I’ll keep you posted!