Spread The Word To End The Word 2012

http://www.r-word.org

Hi all,

To continue on my post from yesterday, which was the official day to recognize "Spread The Word To End The Word". The website is above and I strongly encourage you to visit it and check out the resources part of the website. You can buy t-shirts, bands, hats, and they have fact sheets, printable posters, and a lot more. Also, there are MANY more videos and stories in addition to the one I posted yesterday. If you are a member of our group on Facebook, Cerebral Palsy Family, I posted several of the stories I received, but there are so many more. Many thought-provoking pieces. For people who do not understand this movement or why it is "such a big deal", I think they would understand once hearing some of these accounts.

So, check it out when you have the time. It's worth it.

Blessings:-)
Amy

Below is a factsheet from the resource page of www.r-word.org:

Spread the Word to End the Word
Fact Sheet

WHAT
Spread the Word to End the Word™ is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies and our supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.

The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

WHEN
The official annual day of awareness is held the first Wednesday of every March. While most activities are centered on or near that annual day in March, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.

WHO
Spread the Word to End the Word was founded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011) in 2009, and continues to be led by passionate young people, Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the United States and in many other parts of the world.

Celebrity activist John C. McGinley is a spokesperson for the campaign.

WHY
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the word “retard(ed).”

It is time to address the minority slur “retard(ed)” and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects.

HOW
Visit www.r-word.org to learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word.


For more information, contact:

Mandy Murphy, Special Olympics
mmurphy@specialolympics.org
202-824-0227

Or

Heather Schatz, Best Buddies
heatherschatz@bestbuddies.org
305-374-2233, ext. 207

Think About It And Spread The Word

Hi all,


PTHS: Spread The Word To End The Word 2012 - "I'm Eric" from McCoy Studios on Vimeo.

PLEASE watch this video and think about what is being said. Spread it to anyone you know.

We posted last year about using the word "retarded" or the "r" word. It's just NOT ok and I'm (we all are) very firm on my feelings about this. It's just NOT ok to make fun of people with disabilities and even when people say, "that's not what I'm doing", or "I'm just joking", it's not ok! Just don't do it! It's the same thing as using a racial slur, or a the "n" word, or the word "fag" or any word that is used in a derogatory way to describe a group of people. It's mean, it's wrong, it's NOT a joke or not funny.

These types of words are used to negatively describe a group of people, to make fun of them, and when used in ANY way, most everyone knows that this is they type of word they are using. I always wonder if their parents used these types of words or they think, "everyone does", "lighten up". Well, NO! It's still just wrong, and it HURTS.

People have called our son, Nick, this word. The first time, he was just a baby in a "special" wheelchair stroller when I heard some kids call him that. Then, on a playground when he was very young, causing him to cry all the way home,  by kids at his high school, even  though he was "well-liked" by many and had lots of kids who were friendly to him. it hurt him and it hurt us very much.

Just spread the word about this, please and STOP using this word please. Think about what has been said please.

Thank you.

Blessings:-)
Amy and Team Hyndman (Greg, Amy, Nick, and Isabella Hyndman)

March 25, 2012 is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day

Hi all,

March 25, 2012 is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. I found this information at United Cerebral Palsy's website (www.ucp.org) a the link below:

http://www.ucp.org/​get-involved/events/calendar/​2012/03/25/​national-cerebral-palsy-awarene​ss-day.

I found this online at http://www.govtrack.us :

"Feb 17, 2011 - Agreed to Senate. This is the latest version of the bill currently available on GovTrack.

SRES 75 ATS

112th CONGRESS
1st Session

S. RES. 75

Designating March 25, 2011, as ‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 17, 2011

Mr. ISAKSON (for himself and Mr. CASEY) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTION

Designating March 25, 2011, as ‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’.

Whereas the term ‘cerebral palsy’ refers to any number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and the muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture;

Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more specific areas of the brain, which usually occurs during fetal development, before, during, or shortly after birth, or during infancy;

Whereas the majority of children who have cerebral palsy are born with the disorder, although cerebral palsy may remain undetected for months or years;

Whereas 75 percent of people with cerebral palsy also have 1 or more developmental disabilities, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, autism, visual impairment, and blindness;

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released information indicating that cerebral palsy is increasingly prevalent and that about 1 in 278 children have cerebral palsy;

Whereas approximately 800,000 people in the United States are affected by cerebral palsy;

Whereas, although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatment often improves the capabilities of a child with cerebral palsy;

Whereas scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs in cerebral palsy research will be forthcoming;

Whereas researchers across the United States are conducting important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness in the general public and the medical community of cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates March 25, 2011, as ‘National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day’;
(2) encourages all people in the United States to become more informed and aware of cerebral palsy; and
(3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to Reaching for the Stars: A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy."

So, there is just a little info. for you about the history behind this day.

I have no information so far regarding any events in honor of this day,but if I find anything else to share, I'll post it.

Blessings:)
Amy

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month

Hi all,

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month in the United States and there are various events throughout the US celebrating this month. I was looking for some good basic info. to explain it and the history behind it online. The ARC organizations in several states had some info. but I am posting a good article I found on the Arc of Schuyler which is located in Watkins Glen, NY. (www.arcofschuyler.org) Again if you go to the National Arc Website, www.thearc.org, you can search for a chapter in your area to look for any local events, or do an Internet search for events in your area. Anyhow, below is a good overall explanation of the history of the month:

"March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

People with developmental disabilities are valuable contributing members of our community who have much to offer. They have proven to be reliable workers and employees and excellent volunteers, capable of meeting or exceeding expectations and standards. With the assistance of organizations like The Arc of Schuyler, people with disabilities are leading lives of purpose. You can get involved with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by contributing to The Arc of Schuyler’s Annual Fund Drive in March and making The Arc your charity of choice.

History of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement, and opportunities to help people with developmental disabilities lead productive and meaningful lives. This national proclamation generated renewed respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has increased awareness of the issues faced by this constituency and by their families.

Purpose of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

The month will commemorate the progress toward improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and also highlight the challenges that remain in achieving full inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Challenges Faced by People with Developmental Disabilities

Despite the great strides that have been made toward expanding the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities many challenges stand in their way of living fully inclusive lifestyles.
•Budget and Appropriations
•Civil Rights
•Education
•Employment
•Health Care
•Housing
•Long Term Supports and Services
•Medicaid
•Social Security

Get Involved During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

The Arc of Schuyler is one of over 700 Arc chapters across the country on the frontlines of grassroots advocacy efforts. These Arc Chapters are private non-profit organizations that depend on private donations. During March they are encouraging people to get involved during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase awareness about the issues confronting people with developmental disabilities.
•Volunteer
•Employ persons with a developmental disability, or reach out to businesses about employing people with developmental disabilities.
•Invite people with disabilities to participate at your organization as a volunteer
•Contact policy makers and legislators to speak out on issues impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
•Remind others that people with developmental disabilities deserve respect and can make meaningful contributions to our community
•Make Us Your Charity of Choice"
(www.arcofschuyler.org - posted Jan. 15, 2012)

So, if you're interested in getting involved in someway, they have some good suggestions above. We personally like the organization United Cerebral Palsy, for obvious reasons, www.ucp.org, although they do not have a local chapter in our area. When I've needed info., I go to their website and in the past, I've contacted them for various things. Of course, we also love our local area organizations and resources, most of which I have the links noted in the "Useful Links" section on the right side of this blog page. I just wanted to get the information out there to make people aware and if someone is interested, hopefully, you can find info. here to look further in any way you see fit.

For those of you who don't know, the term "developmental disability", or "DD" for short in some states, is used to describe a lifelong disability (no cure) which attributes to a physical and/or mental (intellectual) impairment, and it happens BEFORE the age of 18, usually before, during, or after birth in most cases, although anytime before the age of 18. It is a term mostly used in the US and Canada. So, MANY disabilities and ranges of impairment are included under the umbrella of his term.

Of course, cerebral palsy is a developmental disability. Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "Palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. I've said this before, but there is a wide range of impairments within the disability of cerebral palsy. Some people have intellectual impairments with CP but most don't. In Nick's specific case, his disability was caused by brain damage he sustained within the first week after he was born (he was born healthy) due to jaundice which was not treated properly. This kind of thing happens but it's rare. In Nick's specific case, he does not have any mental or intellectual impairment at all, just physical impairments. It varies with everyone. People make a lot of assumptions (which is a post for another time!) about CP so I like to educate people whenever I have the opportunity about Nick and his disability.

Blessings:-)
Amy

Correction (Re: Crash football game time)

Hi all,

In my last post about Nick's wheelchair football team, The Toledo Crash's game on March 24th, I was informed that it is no longer from 6-8 pm, but it now starts at 1:00 pm at Owens Community College. If there are any other changes in time/location, I'll post the info. as soon as I get it.

Blessings:)
Amy

The Toledo Crash VS. Owens Express March 24, 2012-Spread The Word!!!!

Hi everyone!

The Toledo Crash (Nick's Wheelchair Football Team) vs Owens Express:

Saturday March 24th 6-8 pm at Owens Community College

Join Us! Come and watch and you may be inspired, as well as have a good time:)

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthe-toledo-crash-football-team.com%2F&h=7AQEXSxjVAQE1MDLmGFG7eqBxj0xWxasX2DUGPKXumQ_j_Q

I've talked about Nick's football team before and this is going to be the first time they play this team. PLEASE come to the game if you can and spread the word and encourage others to come! We'd greatly appreciate it. I know Nick and the rest of the team would appreciate the support! Thanks!

Blessings:-)

Amy

Abilities Expo

Hi all,

Here is a link to Abilities Expo:

http://www.abilitiesexpo.com

They put on a number of events each year or "Expos" and here is a short description from their web page:

"For the last 30 years, Abilities Expo has been the one show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of Americans with disabilities, senior citizens, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals and professional therapists. It has been the nation’s foremost event for companies to demonstrate their products and services to the largest community of end-users and industry professionals."

I thought you may find this of interest and/or know someone who maybe interested . Feel free to pass this on. Thanks!

Blessings:)
Amy