Put the Able in Disabled

My niece means the world to me  not only because she is my niece but she amaze me with her understanding towards her aunt with a developmental disability called Cerebral Palsy. On the day she was born we had a special bound with each other. When we want to the hospital the day after she was born and when me and my dad started leaving she started crying that what made us have a special bound. I started to think how would I be able to show her that I care about her. I was not able to lift her up. Hold her in my arms to comfort her. But I shown her a different way of being an aunt and loving her... She learn how to adopt to me. At a very young age she would step up on my foot plate an hug me and to give me a kiss to show that she love me.. She helps me take off me shoes..ect.. I tell her thank you she says okay. Going to be sharing more to this blog in the up coming days hope you enjoy it so far.  

Motivation is the key.   No excuses. No limits.. Your disability is your abilities.. Determination is the key to unlock the world.. Doctors you use to fear me now you build me..You told me "no" many times but I am doing it anyway.. I believe in miracle. I still imagine myself walking or using a walker.. In my wheelchair I feel like I am lock in box.. When I am out I am so happy with a smile.. I went through process after process to almost giving up to finding a place that I will benefit from and give my body motivation and to see steps in a way I will get to use a gait trainer again  Yesterday I did leg cycling for over 45 minutes and then I was in the stander for a half hour it truly was a great work out  I don't think this will happen over night but I will keep going Yesterday was an awesome  day.. This only the beginning follow my new journey.. 

THE  most challenging thing about having an obviously disability is when young children stare at you because you are in a wheelchair and comes up to you and ask you why you are a wheelchair? How do you respond to this especially when it’s a child? They often ask me what happen..Did I break my legs and I respond no I use to say I was born like this, they look at me like born in a wheelchair so now I just don’t answer because it's so unexpected. I want to be thoughtful about so I can respond with an honest educated statement because it does so well to educate children at a young age about people with disabilities. Advice to parents: If you make your child aware of people with disabilities it will an increase amount of awareness. It will stop the way people pity us. They will be educated on the language to use towards people with disabilities. Which I believe should start at an young age as well. Ignorant statements towards people with disabilities will decrease If you

After I shared this at my msc agency on self advocacy I said their is a must to share with you Wake up in a different world written by me. What if you wake up in a different world What if you wake up one day not being able to talk. What if you woke up one day not being able to walk Get out of bed on your own. Do your own hair? Dress your self Use your arms and legs . Wake up how would you feel? What if  you woke one day an need to use a wheelchair,cane or walker and you go to a job and you are pushed away because you appeared to be a person who is disabled? Who am I? Wake up.. What if you wake up with desires,dreams and goals but didn't know who to reach out too and the one that makes it happen is your msc! I wake up everyday with many goals and desires. My mind is like a clock that goes non-stop. Wake up in a different world! Its a blessing when you wake up being able to see etc.

Does anyone know that there will be a disability parade in NYC celebrating the 25th anniversary of the American disability Act in NYC?   Happening on July 12 2015.   Only July 26.1990, just 4 years  before  I was born the American Disability Act was passed. On December 23. 1994, I was welcome into this world as a healthy premature   baby after 3 months of intensive medical care in the hospital I receive medical neglect from staff. Shortly of an year old my parents found out I had Cereb ral  Palsy, placing myself into the disability population and the Ada generation as I am the first generation  to see and experience the greatest of the ADA.   I am grateful that I grew up in this generation of more people who are now more aware and accepting to people with disabilities, but I would  never want to forget those who struggled, faced harsh living conditions and some even died from such life style leading to making a difference for individuals with disabilities.   We are no lo

Who am I? My name is Ketrina I believe in the People First Term. I am often label a person who is wheelchair bound. I am not confined to a wheelchair, I use it mostly for mobility My disability does not define my personality or disability it mainly defines my abilities, goals or dreams. I accept my identity don't get me wrong thats a gift that my family was given. It take me  a while to understand and realize things will not change. This was medical work.. I often felt down and ask myself Why me? Justice needed I will say But doing what I love since age 14..I got inspired with such vision... The happiness grew with me as I became an young strong youth advocate Thats who I am?  

I learned about People First Language when I started my Partners in Policymaking Course. It  made me a better advocate than I am today Many workers\aids that I have worked with often use the phase "wheelchair bound"  to define me and against They often pick or do for me instead of asking me utilizing my rights of choose. Also they often spoke to my mom before they address me. My mom will always have mothers rights but still.. One of the workers once told me you are wheelchair bound..you can't do anything for yourself I wanted to give up from that day one  They often just picked up my sneakers and put it on..I would get upset but I only wanted to keep the peace.  I recently realize why all of this was happening  A few days ago   my nurse came from my Home attendant agency and made some changes to my plan of care because I told my old msc which was over 6 months ago to call them to make some ch anges to my plan of care because they have on their that 1. I can

Keep on labeling me another statistics is all it is its funny how all those labels still don't match I am an advocate all over for people with disabilities in my first semester of college I made it to national honor GPA 3.0 and still doing well. How do you label and individual such word mild mentally delayed since I had my last psychology evaluation at 16 years old and continues to follow me today ..its has been documented.. I am afraid that this will impact me in my future job wise and agency wise even though I feel many of these agency places a philsophy view on indivduals like for example " Oh shes wheelchair bound she can't transfer she can't be apart of our supported employment because you can't transfer on her own..that's discriminating..I explain..At times they see an individual like myself  their first point of view is that I am in a Day program although I have nothing against it its better than being home but where is the productive in abilities instea

In the West Indians  People lack disability awareness The just label everyone disable and never realize the potential  a person with a disability can have like myself They lack medical care and treatment  They lack proper medical equipment and makes people with disabilities have decrease growth and strength  My family be where my parents are from are shock to see all what I can do and all what I am doing They often put me down and think I am mental challenge but I often prove them wrong but this still don't understand my parents never use my disability as an excuse.. People in the island with disabilities don't have the system of inclusion so they don't attend school or anything now more child with hearing impaired are trying to be included in school but always feel that the students will make fun of them. Not everybody that they call disable is disable I they say many disabilities can affect you physical  and intellectual  but I am going to be honest and say me having Ce

When my heart hit that special place it hit home. It was all from downfalls and people judging me and refuse to realize i was full of potential..at times i wanted to give up but i always got back up and started again..Failing was just never in me I was always a determine person my self confidants back than seems to slow me down often put when I was first brought into an agency called United Cerebral Palsy and having an MSC at SKIP OF NY brought me to a complete new life and world. When UCP heard about my story and what I wanted to do and always continue to thank them for all they're doing for me and my family I earn respect they admire my hard work and how I wanted to reach far in advocacy levels and go to college. They help me make all these great things happen today I always want to thank my dad for his work towards my mission when I first told him about my vision and plans in changing the world for people in the developmental delayed community he smiled and said okay..Later o

When I started  going to a Saturday Recreational Program we did a few things than we do now I would say even if its jewelry making and more than we do now  I would say. Even if its jewelry making or even broad games. Over the years many things open my eyes and allowing me to have a different views I realize that going to this program on Saturdays bored me, I still go a few Saturdays when I want to get time away from home but nothing productive happens there that is where I would like to see changes.I am just like every other teenager out there who enjoys doing different things and being active. All we do is eat and relax and chat with friends many indivduals that attend this program is low functioning to high functioning which I understand but in each person disability, they have abilities and can be productive of some kind.

Growing up I have endured so much in life I  don't know where to start. I was born normal but recieved medical neglect while in inventive care  for 3 months there is still many hiding pieces to this story but it does not stop me from dreaming big. I break barriers..In high school they had no plan for my future because people didn't take the time to get to know me from students to staff..They was so hestited to get to know they always questioned others before the questioned me..They asked my para many times can I talk and she would she yes talk to ketrina. She knows more then what you may think! The frame of my wheelchair fooled many and made them judge mental of me.. They plan on placing me in a day program due to my physical challenges that they thought may impact me in community educational setting..Not everybody in a wheelchair is disabled as you think this word needs to be expanded. My mind does affect my body that's what many don't realize but will need to become

To the City,          I am a wheelchair user who is actively involved in the community and don't like to be at home for many days much longer then whats required for example an official snow day or a State emergency I understand we must stay off the road. When sandnation come by to pillow and clean city  streets they don't think of people who is mobility impaired or visual

 When I was graduating high school no help me plan my future. I did all the work on my own..My OT therapist mention in a meeting he had with my mom that an Day hab program would be the perfect for me. Not because I have a disability does not mean I have to be placed  where ever society fail us. How can you simple label someone because they use a wheelchair. All disabilities have different abilities that's what they fail to realize I am have a mild case of CP was effects the left side of my brain but does not effect my learning. Some people with disabilities goes for what is said and don't know how important it is to have a voice to be able to grow into the future,