Put the Able in Disabled

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...

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 ...

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...