#blogweek6

I found this while looking at some of my volunteer options. This was one of upcoming events on the Lexington Humane Society’s website. Device Pitstop is donating 10% of 2 days of sales to the humane society and offering free puppuccinos (as read in the above image). Events like this offer a way to get people interested in visiting the humane society, as well as possibly adopting. Donations and events to organizations that help animals is always a plus. I wouldn’t mind doing research on organizations around Lexington that involve/protect/help animals. Just an idea post. 

A question I have had is what kind of jobs are available to people with disabilities. My first response is that any one can really do any job, it’s more about which jobs do these individuals prefer doing. I have met a lot of people who won’t do a job if they don’t want to - disability or not. My research on this topic has lead me to the story of Ryan. This is an example to my question of jobs that students can get once they are out of high school, so a 2-in-1 answer. Ryan is very interested in nature, math, and science. Jim Callendar, his job instructor said that “[Ryan] is really knowledgeable... because he wants to learn”. That is really the case with anyone, if you are interested in something that can be a future career why will you not learn more? Some skills Ryan will have to develope are followings directions and taking good care of the plants. Taking care of the plants is definitely what Ryan is interested in doing, but job coaches provide the resources for Ryan and other individuals like him to learn the necessary communication and life skills to manage their work. 

I know these posts aren’t specifically about the Lexington Special Olympics, but the r-word and any stereotypes definitely affect everyone in the SO community all over the world, including Lexington. This post is the same topic as the post before this one called “Spread the word to end the word”. But this is an open letter to a Ann Coulter, a political commentator who used the word “retard” IN A TWEET when referencing one of the politicians after a foreign policy debate debates (story about this found on CNN as reference). However, Mr. Stephens doesn’t attempt to question her use of the word too much. He does ask about why she doesn’t use another word, but continues by saying, “well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor”. There is honestly no better way to say that. Imagine if your name was used to insult other people. That’s not right, you are proud of your name and anyone who is compared to you must be pretty great, that’s exactly his idea. The individuals with disabilities are some of the most passionate, motivated, and kindhearted people you will ever meet. I have met so many athletes who are unapologetically them selves, who wouldn’t want to be so much as appreciated for a quality like that? People who seem to fall under the category of “retarded” are actually far from what societies understanding of that word it, why is it used to compare someones intelligence or ability?  

This is a follow up post of the “spread the word to end the word post”.

I have known about this story for a couple years, but looked at CNN to make sure I had a little understanding to the reason for the letter :) I know it’s not the best source, but for and overview it works.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/living/ann-coulter-obama-tweet/index.html

In 2009 there was a campaign started to end the “r-word” which happens the be the word “retard” or other things such “mentally retarded”. This campaign has people all across the world pledge to not use the r-word and to discourage its use from others. I have taken the pledge for many years now, and I will keep taking it and encouraging everyone to do the same until there is no need for the campaign any more. Something I learned while researching is that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act website says that the phrase “mental retardation” has actually been replaced with “intellectual disability” which is a major break through, since they have been campaigning the end of the word for the past 8 years. The website says that the IDEA is a law offering services to children with disabilities. Such things as early intervention of education in toddlers and special education for children with disabilities, I know many of the students stay in high school until they are 21, and take classes such as culinary to build some life skills before having to try and find a job. Although these are early education opportunities, what programs, post-high school, are out there for students who graduate and have a disability? What are some of the job opportunities these students have?

R-word campaign: http://www.r-word.org/