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יום שיתוק המוחין העולמי בשבועות האחרונים תמכתי ימים בימים רבים של מודעות למוגבלויות, כולל שיתוק מוחין שבו אני לוקה. גרבתי את הגרביים המטורפים שלי למודעות לתסמונת דאון, סגולים לאפילפסיה, כחולים זוהרים לאוטיזם וירוקים לשיתוק מוחין. שמתי לב שכל ימי המודעות הללו, מלבד לשיתוק מוחין, פורסמו בטלוויזיה המקומית והארצית. הבית הלבן אף הדליק את הכדורים של המודעות לאוטיזם. חברה שלי רייצ'ל הית ואניהתחלנו בנובמבר לשלוח מיילים לעסקים, משרדי ממשלה, קבוצות ספורט, תחנות חדשות מקומיות ולאומיות וכו'. שלחנו מעל 500 הודעות דוא"ל וקיבלנו רק 10 תגובות. לא היה עניין רב. ישנם כיום כ-17 מיליון אנשים החיים עם שיתוק מוחין ברחבי העולם, אך הוא מקבל מעט תשומת לב בתקשורת, מימון קטן עבור מחקר ובדיקות, ובעצם, אלא אם כן אתן במדיה החברתית לא תדעו אפילו שיש יום מודעות. אני תומכת במודעות לכל המוגבלויות ושמחה שהן זוכות לתשומת לב, אבל השאלה שלי היא מדוע ימי המודעות הללו יותר חשובים לציבור הרחב? יום שיתוק המוחין העולמי הוא ב-6 באוקטובר ואנחנו ממשיכים לשלוח את המיילים שלנו. אנא עזרו לנו ליצור מודעות לשיתוק מוחין אצל עסקים מקומיים, משרדי ממשלה, תחנות חדשות וכו' כדי לעזור לנו להפיץ זאת לעולם. אני לא רוצה לקחת שום דבר מיתר המוגבלויות, אבל מאמינה שכל ימי המודעות למוגבלויות הינם חשובים ויחד נוכל להביא לשינוי! National and World CP Day In the past few weeks I have shown my support to many disability awareness days including cerebral palsy which I am diagnosed with. I wore my crazy socks for Downs Syndrome awareness, purple for epilepsy, lit up blue for autism, and painted the world green for CP awareness. The thing I noticed is all these other awareness days were publicized on local and national tv. The White House even lit up blue for autism awareness. My friend Richelle Heath and I started in November emailing and writing businesses, government offices, sports teams, local and national news stations etc. We sent out over 500 emails and received only about 10 responses. While we did get the Skyview Atlanta to light up green and a local DJ in Knoxville TN (Hot Toddy on Star 102.1) announced that it was National CP Awareness Day on air, there was little to no interest. There are currently approximately 17 million people living with cerebral palsy worldwide yet it receives little attention in the media, little funding for research and testing, and basically unless you are on social media and in the CP community online you wouldn't be aware that CP even has an awareness day. I support all disability awareness and I am pleased that these other disabilities received the attention that they did, but my question is why are their awareness days considered more important to the general public? World CP Day is October 6 and we are back to sending our emails. Please help us bring CP awareness to the forefront by asking local businesses, government offices, news stations etc to help us spread the world to #LightUpGreen 10/6 for cerebral palsy awareness. I don't wish to take anything away from any other awareness for any disability but I believe all disability awareness days should matter not just a select few! Stand up! Together we can make a change!

סיפור המחלה שלי התחלתי להיות מאוד חולה לאחר ניתוח קטן ביד שלי שגרם לדימום מצטבר, 8 שטפי דם פנימיים, 11 ניתוחים, נמלול בשורש כף היד, תסמונת המדור ואשפוז של 7 שבועות בבית החולים. מאז כבר אובחנתי עם למעלה מ-18 מחלות. העיקריות נגרמו בשל כשלים במערכת החיסונית, תסמונת כאב אזורי מורכב והפרעת דימום נדירה מאוד ללא שם! נלחמתי באלח דם וניצחתי 11 פעמים! אני בכיסא גלגלים ולא מסוגלת ללכת מאז ניתוח קטן לפצע מזוהם ברגל שלי, שהוביל לתסמונת כאב אזורי מורכב שלי בינואר 2017. My illness story I started to become very sick after having a small surgery to my hand which resulted in mass bleeding, 8 haematomas, 11 surgeries, carpal tunnel syndrome and compartment syndrome along with a 7 week hospital admission. Since then I have been diagnosed with over 18 diseases. The main ones because Common-Variable immunodeficiency, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, G-HSD (similar to hEDS) and a very rare bleeding disorder with no name! I have fought sepsis and septic shock and beat it 11 times! I have been wheelchair bound and unable to walk since a small operation to an infected wound on my leg, which lead to my CRPS spreading in January 2017. להתמסר לעצמי אמא שלי ואני נאלצנו להיאבק לקבלת הטיפול הטוב ביותר בשבילי, הפכתי תלותית לחלוטין באחרים ומדוכאת כי הרופאים שטיפלו בי נתנו לי את התרופות הלא נכונות. הרגל הימנית והזרוע השמאלית שלי תקועות לחלוטין בזווית של 90 מעלות, ואני בכאבים עזים 24/7. אני לוקחת 45 כדורים ביום שלמעשה שומרים אותי בחיים! Advocating for myself My mum and I have had to fight for the best care for me as I have been left completely dependent on others and depressed because the doctors treating me gave me the wrong medications and care. My right leg and left arm are completely stuck at a 90 degree angle, and I’m in excruciating pain 24/7. I take 45 pills a day that essentially keep me alive! אתן יכולות לעשות הכל בית הספר שלי הכשיל אותי. הייתי תלמידה מצטיינת, אבל לאחר שחליתי לא הייתי מסוגלת לשבת. אז לא היו לי שום הכשרות. אבל הרמתי את עצמי, נרשמתי לקורס אמנות בקולג' ולא הסתכלתי לאחור! פגשתי כל כך הרבה אנשים מדהימים שהפכו את החיים שלי עם מוגבלויות להרבה יותר קלים! החברים שלי לוקחים אותי ללונדון ולמקומות אחרים ומתייחסים אליי כמו אל אדם רגיל! זכרו, אתם יכולים לעשות הכל! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING My school really failed me, I was a straight A student, but after becoming sick I was unable to sit my GCSEs. So I had no qualifications. But, I picked myself up and enrolled myself into an art course at college and haven’t looked back! I’ve met so many amazing people and they have made my life with disabilities so much easier! My friends take me to London and other places and treat me like a normal person! Please remember, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!

ברוכה הבאה לעולם שמי בריוני ואני בת 19. ננטשתי בלידה. כשנלקחתי לבית החולים, הרופאים גילו שיש לי הרעלת דם. בגיל 3 חודשים אומצתי ועכשיו יש לי את ההורים המדהימים ביותר שיכולתי אי פעם לבקש. Welcome to the World My name is Bryony and I am 19 years old. I was abandoned at birth. When I was taken to the hospital, doctors discovered I had blood poisoning. At 3 months old I was adopted and I now have the most amazing parents I could ever had wish for. חינוך בשנה השנייה המורה שלי הבחין שיש לי יותר קשיים בכיתה לעומת שאר הילדים. לאחר ביקורים רבים בבית החולים נאמר להורים שלי שיש לי שיתוק מוחין. מאוחר יותר בבית הספר היסודי הייתי קורבן לבריונות בדרכים שונות שהלכו ונעשו חמורים עם הזמן. Starting Education In year 2 my teacher noticed I was having more difficulties in class compared to the other children. After many hospital visits my parents were told I had Cerebral Palsy. Later on in primary school I got bullied and this carried on in lots of different ways through secondary school and got a lot worse. אור בקצה המנהרה? בגיל 14 התחילו לי בעיות נפשיות. ההתעללות שחוויתי הייתה כה גרועה שאובחנתי עם הפרעת דחק פוסט-טראומטית, חרדה, דיכאון, שמיעה וראיית דברים. יש לי גם התקפים דיסוציאטיביים. הייתי אובדנית ושהיתי כמה שבועות ביחידה לבריאות הנפש. עדיין יש לי בעיות נפשיות, אבל המשפחה שלי וחבריי הקרובים מאוד מועילים. Light at the end of the tunnel? At 14 years old I started having mental health problems and seeing CAHS. The bullying I had experienced was so bad I was diagnosed with PTSD as well as other conditions like anxiety, depression, hearing and seeing things. I also have dissociative seizures. I was suicidal and spent a couple of weeks in a mental health unit. I still have mental health problems, but my family and close friends are very helpful. You can follow me on Instagram @defeatingdisability.

The meaning and impact of “accessibility” According to the dictionary, the word “accessible” refers to “something that is capable of being reached, or something that is capable of being used or seen: available.” When you think of places or things that are accessible to you, what do you think of? Do you think of yours and others’ houses or apartments? Transportation? Restaurants? Coffee shops? Clothing stores? If those places are all readily accessible to you, and you do not have to think much about utilizing any of them, you are fortunate. Because for myself and millions of others living with some sort of physical limitation, we must carefully consider whether or not these places are truly accessible, and plan accordingly if and when we wish to utilize them. When we don’t do so, or we take others’ word for it, this can create major roadblocks in our lives. Understanding "accessible" For instance, currently I am in graduate school studying to be a school counselor. I have lived in on-campus housing for the past few semesters, and I was looking forward to doing so again. This semester, I was happy to hear from my university that an “accessible” single apartment was available, and I was looking forward to having my first space of my own. I was told this place was fully accessible, but I was also told I could not see it until after the semester started. I agreed to those terms because I trusted that they knew what “accessible” meant to me, as they know I utilize a power chair. I couldn’t wait to move in. Even though I trusted my school’s knowledge of physical accessibility, I decided to call and double check before the start of the semester. When I called, I first inquired about the bathroom. I asked, “Are there bars for me to hold onto near the shower and the toilet?” Response: “Yes, there are.” Me: “OK, great!” “And how about the shower? Is there a lip (threshold) to get in? Is it accessible??” Response: “I think so… I’ll check with maintenance.” I think so is typically not a good sign regarding accessibility I have found that in situations regarding accessibility, “I think so” is typically not a good sign. Turns out, there was an inch and a half threshold to the shower, and there was no shower chair installed into the wall. I know an inch and a half might seem like nothing. But when utilizing a power chair, an inch and a half might as well be Mount Everest. And without a shower chair installed, I could easily fall, as portable ones have the potential to slide out from under me. When I inquired about having this inaccessible shower repaired to meet my needs, I was told, “I don’t know if it can be done.” So I simply asked, “Why not?” Let’s just say that did not go well. So as a 23-year-old independent young woman, I had to have my Dad call my University to see if he could help get the issue resolved. The school took my dad seriously, and he was told fairly quickly that the shower would definitely be made accessible for me. All was going to be well (almost). Upon entering the apartment, I found that none of the appliances were accessible either. The microwave was far out of my reach, and the stove was unusable to me. The importance of accessibility In the end, the inaccessible shower is going to be fixed, and the appliances are being made accessible, too. I am grateful that the necessary changes are being made. But I am also frustrated. I’m frustrated that when I simply inquired why my needs were not being met, I was perceived as “rude.” I’m frustrated that more often than I care to admit, people don’t seem to take me and/or my voice seriously — even when I am advocating for my most basic needs. Lastly, I’m frustrated by the fact that almost 30 years after the Americans With Disabilities Act was passed, too often people with disabilities still might as well be told they must climb Mount Everest just to participate in life as fully as anyone else. The world is feeling so heavy lately. It is not my intention to add any more negativity or darkness to it. However, it is my intention to bring awareness to the importance of accessibility, and the importance of truly listening to people and respecting their needs — especially their most basic ones.

Anthony Netto: Paragolfer Anthony V Netto is originally from South Africa, He is an international ambassador for challenged golf and has been a USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional since 1999. A few of his (many) accomplishments include initiating the European/American KidSwing program, training the German Disabled Golf Team, USA Golf Team Invictus Games Toronto 2017 and holding the current Paralong Drive World record at 317 (3/2018 Mesquite NV Paralong Drive Cup) yards. Anthony Netto: Helping Paragolfers Across the world Now residing in the United States, Anthony spends his time training PGA professionals and veterans on how to use the game of golf as therapy and serving as a consultant for handicapped golfers worldwide. He’s passionate about helping his fellow wounded brothers and sisters and it’s the driving force behind everything he does. Anthony first sustained a life-altering injury while serving for the SA Defense Force and then again in 1994, when he was hit by a drunk driver, which caused further paralysis. On top of these injuries, he was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in May of 2000. Motivated by his own challenges, Anthony co-invented the all-terrain standing sports wheelchair, the Paragolfer (by Ottobock), and founded the Stand Up and Play Foundation to make Paragolfers available to individuals with impaired mobility across the world.

A documentary film spotlighting a champion's courage in speaking out about mental illness From challenging beginnings, Chamique Holdsclaw became the most famous women’s basketball player on the planet, touted as the “female Michael Jordan.” She won three NCAA championships at University of Tennessee under famed coach Pat Summitt, and was drafted #1 into the professional WNBA. But something was not right. Depression and near-suicide plagued Holdsclaw's professional career. She was afraid to disclose her mental health issues, to be labeled as "weak," and her road to recovery was slow and bumpy. But eventually Holdsclaw began to tell her own story publicly, to help others, and, by doing so, herself as well. Filmmaker Rick Goldsmith Documents Chamique Holdsclaw's Journey Filmmaker Rick Goldsmith began to document Chamique's journey as an inspiring mental health advocate and recognized leader in reducing the stigma of mental illness—especially in sports, among African-Americans, and among youth: populations that are often uncomfortable, like she was, dealing with mental health issues. Then, in a dramatic reminder of the unpredictability and power of mental illness, months after filming had begun, Holdsclaw suffered a serious setback: "My life changed dramatically-- legally, financially, socially," she said. Facing legal challenges, media notoriety and a new mental health diagnosis, Holdsclaw re-dedicated herself to therapy. She also decided to continue with her involvement in the film, which, despite the risk of opening up her on-going challenges to the public, she saw as more potentially impactful and beneficial to others than ever. Indeed, Mind/Game's exploration of Chamique's daily battles in her road towards recovery are poignant, powerful and instructive. The film is narrated by actress and fellow mental health activist, Glenn Close. The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw: Directed by Rick Goldsmith Since Mind/Game’s premiere in April 2015, the film has aired nationally on Logo, a nationwide cable channel, and had over a hundred screenings for diverse audiences, including conferences and film festivals focused on different abilities, among them MI-AHEAD in Lansing, MI, SuperFest in Berkeley, CA, and ReelAbilities Film Festival in New York City. Director Goldsmith and Holdsclaw herself are present at many of the screenings, either alone or together. The former basketball superstar continues to touch, educate and inspire everywhere she goes. The discussions that follow each screening are moving: the personal stories revealed, the common struggles people express concerning illness, stigma, family and society. As filmmakers, we are proud to join and support those of you who are already educating, advocating and changing the conversation and policy around mental health.

Noah's Journey with Cancer Noah was born a full-term healthy baby, but that all changed at 3 months. After we noticed Noah's pupils were different. We rushed him to the hospital where Noah was diagnosed with cancer. At a tiny, 3 months, Noah had neuroblastoma and with that a 7 cm mass in his chest, multiple in his lungs, masses on both adrenal glands and his liver. Noah was determined to live. After two chemotherapy sessions the doctors proclaimed that Noah was in remission, and we went home. 5 month old cancer survivor Noah was now a healthy 5 months old. A 5 month old cancer survivor. He was a happy baby who just started to eat his veggies and loved broccoli. Soon things started to change again when Noah became cranky and not as mobile. By the time he was diagnosed, he was completely paralyzed from the neck down. His cancer had come back. Would he survive? What was the treatment for a tumor that spans your whole spinal cord? Noah was determined. After many more chemotherapy treatments, medications, exams and physiotherapy Noah was sent home. Noah is a survivor Today, it has been two years since Noah's last treatment. He is a social butterfly who loves speeding down in his wheelchair. Noah is moving his legs again and he is just as determined to walk as he was to beat cancer. Twice.

סרט קצר: פיצוי חלקי על דיסלקציה "פיצוי חלקי" הוא סרט אנימציה בטכנולוגיית "סטופ-מושן" קצר בהשראת החוויות שלי עם לקות הלמידה דיסלקציה. בסרט זה רציתי להרחיב את ההבנה של דיסלקציה להיכרות עם החוויה כולה ועם עומק האתגרים שיכולים לבוא עימה. בדרך כלל כשאנשים מגלים שיש לי דיסלקציה הם שואלים שאלות על הקשיים שלי עם קריאה, כתיבה ואיות. עבורי - החרדה, הבידוד והבלבול שחוויתי בבית הספר היו הרבה יותר עמוקים מהקשיים האלה. ליקויי למידה הם הרבה יותר נפוצים ומסובכים ממה שרוב האנשים חושבים. אני מקווה שאנשים דיסלקטיים אחרים שרואים את הסרט שלי ירגישו שקולם נשמע, ולספק חלון קטן עבור אחרים להתסכל לתוך העולם שלנו. לסרט המלא: https://vimeo.com/161812141 Short-Film: Partially Compensated about Dyslexia Partially Compensated is a stop-motion animated short film inspired by my own experiences with the Learning Disability, Dyslexia. With this film I wanted to expand the understanding of Dyslexia to one that is more true to the entire experience and depth of challenges that it can bring. Typically when someone finds out I have Dyslexia they ask questions about my difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. To me the anxiety, isolation, and confusion I experienced in school was so much more profound than those difficulties. Learning disabilities are much more common and complicated than most people realize. I hope that other Dyslexic people who see my film and feel understood and heard. And I hope to provide a small window for others into our world. FULL FILM AVAILABLE ON Vimeo! https://vimeo.com/161812141 instagram:kristaweltner

YOOCAN DO ANYTHING עם סיסטיק פיברוזיס שלום! שמי רימה ואובחנתי עם סיסטיק פיברוזיס בגיל ארבעה חודשים. סיסטיק פיברוזיס היא מחלת ריאות כרונית גנטית אשר משפיעה גם על איברים אחרים כגון הלבלב. למחלה אין תרופה עדיין, ולכן תפקוד הריאות לקוי וישנם זיהומים תכופים. הגעתי לנקודה שבה אני צריכה להיות על חמצן 24/7 ותפקוד הריאות נמוך מאוד. בריאותי הובילה לצורך בשתי השתלות ריאה. עברתי את ניתוח הצלת החיים שלי בגיל 27. בזכות התורמים הנהדרים שלי והמתנה הגדולה מהם, ניתנה לי הזדמנות נוספת! עברתי מסע ארוך עד שהגעתי למקום בו אני נמצאת כיום. אני סוף סוף מסוגלת ללכת יותר ממספר צעדים בלי להתנשף, סוף סוף לא צריכה להתנייד בכיסא גלגלים או להיות על אנטיביוטיקה קבועה, יכולה לטייל בהרי הרוקי בקולורדו ולחיות את החיים כפי שהם נועדו להיות. yoocan do anything with Cystic Fibrosis Hi there! My name is Rima (@lung_story_short ) and I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis around four months old. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic chronic lung disease which also effects other organs such as the pancreas. CF (short for Cystic Fibrosis) has no cure yet, and so having crumby lung function and frequent infections. I got to the point where I needed to be on oxygen 24/7 and had very low lung function. My health was leading towards needing a double lung transplant. I have now received my life saving surgery at 27 years old. Thank you to my beautiful donor and their selfless gift, I have been given another chance! My journey has been a long one to get to where I'm now. I’m finally able to walk more than a few steps without gasping for air. I finally don't need to be pushed around in a wheelchair or be on constant IV antibiotics. I am now able to hike in the Colorado Rockies and live my life the way it was meant to be lived. #yoocan #yoocandoanything #lungstoryshort #cysticfibrosis #cfawareness #posttransplant #doublelungtransplant #fucf #organdonation #newlungs

A documentary film about Brandon Mendenhall Brandon Mendenhall and I have been friends for 14 years. Brandon is actually one of the very first people I met when I moved from Paris, France to California. We became friends right away, we just clicked. Him and I have a lot in common. We both talk funny: I have this incurable French accent and he has a speech impediment directly related to his Cerebral Palsy. His disability affects the entire left side of his body: his eye, speech, hand and foot. When we dug deeper, we immediately realized we shared so much more. We each had a crazy dream: he wanted to overcome his physical limitations and become a successful guitarist while I had plans to establish myself as a filmmaker in Los Angeles. Why I Created Behind Mind Over Matter On Christmas Day 2013, I had an epiphany after stumbling upon an inspiring video of Dean Zimmer, a drummer born with Arthrogryposis (AMC). I had to tell the story of Brandon rehabilitating his then-paralyzed hand by teaching himself how to play the guitar through the power of music. I knew his determination would inspire others to follow their dreams no matter what obstacles may be in their way. If this disabled kid, born with nothing from a trailer park in the Mid-West, bullied as a child with no prospects could do it, then what excuse does anyone really have? It's simply mind over matter. I immersed in Brandon's Life I spent the next 3 years documenting Brandon's daily life struggles with the difficult realities of living with a disability. He started to develop relationship with his family and childhood friends from Illinois, understand his rough childhood as an outcast, and capture his passion for music and the rise of his newly found band. I completely immersed myself in his life in order to bring the viewer along with me on this journey. I wanted them to be walking beside him as he walks, or rather limps, through the streets of Los Angeles in an ultimate quest of Rock N’ Roll stardom and acceptance.

Inspiring Story about a hero in a wheelchair directed & produced by Pavel Gumennikov My name is Pavel Gumennikov. I am a film director and producer from Latvia. When I met my lead actor for "Just Go" (a young guy in a wheelchair name Aleksandrs Ronis) and heard his story, I couldn't believe my ears. He told me how he had witnessed a girl being robbed by two thieves and decided to chase them to get her purse back! He chased them despite not having legs due to a childhood accident. This story was eventually turned into a movie that has inspired more than 500,000 people around the world. The film also qualified for an Academy Award Oscar in 2018. Most important, the film gave the real person an acting opportunity and helped with his confidence! Aleksandrs Ronis is now 19, but when he was 16 he was homeless living on the streets. He had run away from his family and given up on life. He fought everyday for his life. until he developed an interest in sports. This helped him find a new inner-self within, and he became a very different person with a new and refreshed outlook on life. Then followed the moment of his heroic story when he saw a girl in need of help and without hesitation jumped to help her and stop the thieves! As Ronis says it best: "This story is about a person who is desperately in love with life. That is the message we want to send to everyone. Never give up, believe in yourself and when the going gets tough, dig deep and find that love that exists within you.” You can overcome anything which seems to be a struggle against you by remembering your principles and keeping your focus. Believe in yourself at all times however hard it may seem to be- everything is possible, nothing is lost.

My favorite place at home My favorite place at home is the kitchen. It gave me hope when I was feeling desperate after losing the ability to walk. After more than one year of hospitalization, I came home and found out I could not enter the kitchen. It was too narrow for my wheelchair. It was the first place in the house I asked a carpenter to renovate. I remember clearly of the evening when I cooked dinner for my family for the first time after coming back from the hospital. At that time, I always needed someone to help me. I had to ask someone for help if I wanted to go out. I was being supported in rehabilitation sessions. In the kitchen, however, I was able to cook for others. It became my motivation to venture out to buy groceries, in my wheelchair to supermarkets that were a little far. Every year, I polish the kitchen till it shines, thanking it for enabling me to regain hope. A little bit of getting used to While I enjoy trying something new in my wheelchair, there are times when I get discouraged. I have asked for some help and been refused at some places I visited for the first time. Even now, I find myself not being able to sleep with worries the night before I go somewhere for the first time. In the past two years, I have been travelling on bullet trains almost every week. If I explain to the station staff what I’m worried about or what support I need, they do their best to accommodate me. After many months of such communication, there is no wall between us. It just takes a little bit of getting used to. The other day, when I was purchasing a cup of coffee inside the station, one of the station staff came smiling, “I knew I would find you here.” He made me feel so relieved. When “something new” becomes “the usual”, it becomes the source of comfort and confidence.