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Disability awareness is s0mething that should be celebrated every day of the year. It has been my experience that the greatest percent of the world's population has to deal disabilities of one kind or another. I find that if its introduced as a young age than there is a better chance of the child not being afraid to talk to disabled people.
My name is Jan this is a short intro to my story. I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, type 3. (brittle bone disease) I have broken my legs a few times, as well as arms, fingers, toes and I fractured my spine in 1984. 9 months later (1985) I found out that I had a kink in my spinal cord and more than one fracture in my back. which is when I had to start using the chair in public places or places where I had even the slightest chance I might fall. November 15, 2001 I was in a car accident and after 4 days in the hospital I was sent home with whiplash. Three weeks later I had an MRI of my entire spine. and found I had a c2 dontoid fracture and several other fractures (t4 ~ t11) I had surgery to fuse my neck wore a halo and collar for 3 1/2 months. I was told by several people that I was lucky to be alive, let alone not a quadriplegic. I have nerve damage down my right side. along with the existing spinal cord injury leaves me wheelchair bound all the time these days. It does not define who I am as a person.
One of the ways I approach diversity is that I speak with people about my chair why I am in it. I feel like the wheelchair heart and 3E LOVE is extremely helpful and inviting for people to ask questions. Also helping people be aware that diversity is not just race, religion, or color of a persons skin. It also covers whats in the heart, in this case the wheelchair heart.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stare at me like I am evil or diseased and untouchable. I am not contagious. I do not bite! When a child is watching me or sometimes ask me questions. It really makes me angry when a parent pulls them away telling me they're sorry. The truth is they did nothing wrong. If a child is interested I am not afraid to talk to them. When I was first told I had to use a wheelchair in high school. I remember one of the teachers asking me to introduced myself. with the reasons I was in the chair. It made a difference in how some of the kids treated me. no it didn't change the number of my friends, but it did keep one guy and his brother from teasing me. I just did no understand why people are so mean. I think if this logo was more widely known with what it means, some teenagers may not be so mean to the other students. some adults may not be so afraid to allow their kids to learn something new from the community around them. People with a fear of the chair can see the logo and start the conversation. I tend to ask people something giving them away to ask me whats going on why, I am in the chair. I feel like idea of bringing forth an image of love and hope for people who live their life's in a wheelchairs is a great idea. Introducing more young people to disability awareness, may lead to a happier future of hope with or without disabilities.
Thank you for bringing this movement to all of us!!
My name is Jan this is a short intro to my story. I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta, type 3. (brittle bone disease) I have broken my legs a few times, as well as arms, fingers, toes and I fractured my spine in 1984. 9 months later (1985) I found out that I had a kink in my spinal cord and more than one fracture in my back. which is when I had to start using the chair in public places or places where I had even the slightest chance I might fall. November 15, 2001 I was in a car accident and after 4 days in the hospital I was sent home with whiplash. Three weeks later I had an MRI of my entire spine. and found I had a c2 dontoid fracture and several other fractures (t4 ~ t11) I had surgery to fuse my neck wore a halo and collar for 3 1/2 months. I was told by several people that I was lucky to be alive, let alone not a quadriplegic. I have nerve damage down my right side. along with the existing spinal cord injury leaves me wheelchair bound all the time these days. It does not define who I am as a person.
One of the ways I approach diversity is that I speak with people about my chair why I am in it. I feel like the wheelchair heart and 3E LOVE is extremely helpful and inviting for people to ask questions. Also helping people be aware that diversity is not just race, religion, or color of a persons skin. It also covers whats in the heart, in this case the wheelchair heart.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people stare at me like I am evil or diseased and untouchable. I am not contagious. I do not bite! When a child is watching me or sometimes ask me questions. It really makes me angry when a parent pulls them away telling me they're sorry. The truth is they did nothing wrong. If a child is interested I am not afraid to talk to them. When I was first told I had to use a wheelchair in high school. I remember one of the teachers asking me to introduced myself. with the reasons I was in the chair. It made a difference in how some of the kids treated me. no it didn't change the number of my friends, but it did keep one guy and his brother from teasing me. I just did no understand why people are so mean. I think if this logo was more widely known with what it means, some teenagers may not be so mean to the other students. some adults may not be so afraid to allow their kids to learn something new from the community around them. People with a fear of the chair can see the logo and start the conversation. I tend to ask people something giving them away to ask me whats going on why, I am in the chair. I feel like idea of bringing forth an image of love and hope for people who live their life's in a wheelchairs is a great idea. Introducing more young people to disability awareness, may lead to a happier future of hope with or without disabilities.
Thank you for bringing this movement to all of us!!
