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המסע שלי עם סרטים התחלתי בקריירת הסרטים בשנת 2008 כשהלכתי לאקדמיה לקולנוע ניו יורק. החברה בה אני עובדת הוקמה ב-2016, ובה אנו שואפים ליצור תכנים חינוכיים ומהנים המתמקדים בהיסטוריה. התחביבים שלי כוללים כתיבת שירה וסיפורים, הקשבה או צפייה בתעלומות רצח ואיסוף מזכרות ספורט. עבדתי גם על הסרט "מריה ופיט", זוכה שנת 2018 בתחרות Film Your Story, בשיתוף עם yoocan ו-AdaptLab Productions. My Journey with Film I began on the road to film as a career in 2008 when I went to New York Film Academy. This company was first thought up in 2016. We strive to do educational fun things that focus on history. My hobbies include writing poetry and stories, listening or watching murder mysteries, and collecting sports memorabilia. I also worked on the film "Maria & Pete," this year's winner of the 2018 Reelabilities "Film Your Story" competition in partnership with yoocan and AdaptLab Productions.

Title This was a fun time. I'm grateful for the exposure. דרך שאין דומה לה אובחנתי עם אוטיזם בשנת 2014, גילוי זה הכריח אותי לשנות מסלול, מה שהביא אותי להשתתפות עם AdaptLab בסרט התיעודי שלהם, "מריה ופיט". בעבודה משותפת עם המייסדים אנדרו ג'ונסון ואורן סורהפט, עזרנו ליצור סיפור של שני אנשים מרתקים. לאחר תואר ראשון בהפקה לקולנוע ולטלוויזיה, העבודה בצוות AdaptLab הפכה במהירות לתהליך מהנה. תיאמתי עם אורן את צילום הפרויקט ועזרתי לאנדרו בתהליך העריכה. אני גם עובד עם ליי סילבר כדי לעזור בהשגת יעדי העל של AdaptLab. אני מקווה כי עבודה זו תהווה הנאה לכל בסרט הדוקומנטרי "מריה ופיט". זה סיפור נפלא על אהבה, תשוקה והתגברות על קשיים כדי להשיג דברים מדהימים. מה שמבדיל את הסיפור הזה מאחרים הוא שהמוגבלויות של מריה ופיט הן משניות לרוח ולכיף של הזוג הזה בפעילויותיהם. מריה ופיט גורמים לנו לחשוב על מה שחשוב בחיים. הכרתי את סיפורם של מריה ופיט קצת יותר טוב. מריה ופיט חיים חיים פעילים. על ידי ההכרה במאבקיהם, הם הפכו לסמליים לאופן בו מבוגרים בעלי מוגבלות יכולים להתעלות מעל למגבלות. הם גם מכבדים מאוד את המשפחה שלהם - תכונה חשובה.

אני גאה במוגבלות שלי אני צ'יימיי טונרטי, בת 20. התנועה שלי מוגבלת בשל טעות רפואית בלידה. למדתי בבית הספר אבל הופליתי על רקע היותי בעלת מוגבלות. הוריי שלחו אותי ללמוד בבית ספר רגיל וקיבלתי ציונים טובים למרות שהציפיות ממני היו נמוכות מאוד. היחסים שלי עם כל האנשים הנפלאים בחיי מבוססים על אהבה וכבוד. כולם אוהבים אותי ושולחים לי מסרים נפלאים. אני לא רואה את המוגבלות שלי כמחסור או פגם. אני רואה אותה כהבדל וסימן של גאווה שמייחד אותי מיתר האנשים. המוגבלות שלי נתנה לי תכונה חיובית. כשאנשים רואים אותי, הם קוראים לי ומברכים אותי לשלום. זה עושה אותי מאושרת שיש לי חברים. אנחנו יוצאים וצוחקים והם מחשיבים אותי כאחת מהם. אני נהנית לטייל ולהכיר אנשים. יש לי חלומות רבים ומטרות ויש לי ביטחון. אלוהים הוא גדול, ואני יודעת שאשיג את המטרות שלי כי יש לי את הרצון. לא תמיד ניתן לדעת מראש למה אנו מסוגלים. אנחנו צריכים להילחם כדי להשיג את המטרות שלנו. I am Proud of my disability I am Chaimae Tounarti. I am 20 years old and I have obstructed movement from a medical error at birth. I attended school but I was singled out for having a disability. My parents sent me to study in a regular school and I earned good grades even though the expectations of me were very low. My relationship with all the wonderful people in my life are based on love and respect. Everyone loves me and sends me wonderful messages. I do not see my disability as a deficiency or a defect. I see it as a point of difference and a sign of pride that distinguishes me from all people. My disability has given me a positive attribute. When people see me, they call me, and give greet me. This is something that makes me happy because I have friends. We go out and laugh and they consider me like them. I enjoy traveling and getting to know people. I have many dreams and goals and I have a certainty. God is great, and I know that I will achieve my goals because I have the will. You cannot always tell me what is possible. we have to fight in order to reach our goals and not hear the words of the people. My Lord will give us something wonderful in the latter.

Being Born Broken My name is Tony Jacobsen, I was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.). It’s a rare bone disorder that makes my bones brittle. I’ve broken bones nearly 70 times throughout my life, I’ve had 12 surgical procedures, and I have 4 steel rods in my bones; one in each femur and one in each tibia. Since most of my breaks happened when I was younger, I spent the majority of my childhood in a wheelchair. Once I entered high school, my legs became a little stronger, so I was able to get out of the wheelchair and start using crutches. Taking My First Steps When I turned 24 years old, I had a final operation on my legs and it was at that point, I was actually able to walk and take my very first unassisted steps. I was happy that I was able to get out of the wheelchair and off the crutches, but from that point on, I led a very inactive lifestyle because I was scared. I didn’t want to break any more bones. I had built up a lot of mental and emotional barriers that kept me from being physical. Broken Spirit at 42 Throughout my 20’s and 30’s, I didn’t do anything physical and I didn’t eat well. I was really trying my best to not even think about my disability. When I turned 42, I found myself in the worst shape of my life. I had ballooned to 170 lbs, I was taking medication every day for heartburn, and I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without using the handrail. To top it off, I went for a physical that year, had an EKG done and I was told that I might have had a small heart attack. I was devastated. I knew something had to change. I had to change the way that I felt about my disability. I couldn’t be scared anymore. I spent so many years denying who I really was and I knew that I had to embrace my disability if I ever wanted to disable it. Breakthrough to Transformation I finally flipped the switch. I started exercising safely and eating better, and I worked hard. Not only physically, but I pushed through the mental and emotional barriers that I had created within myself about my physical abilities. Within 8 months, I transformed. I got stronger, I dropped 40 lbs, and I started doing physical activities I never would have thought possible. I was the kid in a wheelchair who people thought would never walk, and I ran in my first 5K! I was the guy on crutches who had trouble walking up a flight of stairs and now, I’m jumping! I’ve been able to transform and break through major barriers in my life; Not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. My Mission to Help Others And now that I see and feel the power that comes with transformation, I want to help others do the same. Through my books, my speaking engagements, as a certified personal trainer, and through my online programs, I’m doing everything in my power to share my story, give guidance and support, and really spread the message that you too can disable your disability and live the healthy, high-powered, happy life you deserve! Get In Touch Visit my website to purchase my book and find my online programs: http://www.disableyourdisability.com I'm also available for interview and speaking engagements: http://bit.ly/tonytalks Watch and subscribe to my YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/tonyonyoutube And connect with me on social media: Instagram/FB/Twitter: @iamtonyjacobsen

A comprehensive database to find accessible mobile devices and Smart TVs The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative or in short GARI database was created in 2008 by the Mobile & Wireless Forum to provide information on accessibility features in mobile phones and to help consumers identify devices that support these features. The GARI site (www.gari.info) features an evolving searchable database that currently has information on more than 110 accessible features in over 1,100 mobile phone models from around the world in many languages. The database also includes information on accessible tablets, accessibility related mobile applications, and as of late 2016, accessible Smart TVs and Wearables. The objective is to create one central source of information for global accessibility solutions in the mobile ecosystem. GARI's objective is to help consumers find devices with features that respond to their individual requirements. Tip #1: Choose your language The GARI database is currently available in 18 languages and you can look up devices that are available in your world region. Tip #2: Use the search filters for vision, hearing, cognition, dexterity The database provides different ways of searching for accessible devices. You can for example use the search filters for vision, hearing/speech, dexterity and cognition. If you choose the search filter "vision", the database will give you a list of devices that offer accessibility features supporting blind, low-vision and vision impaired users. Tip #3: See how many devices correspond to your search query The results of your search are displayed as a list of devices, with the ones responding the best to your search criteria on top. Tip #4: Look for a specific feature If you have a specific idea about which kind of features you want to have in a device, you can use the "advanced search". For example, you can look up devices that have a screenreader included. Or devices that have a screenreader and a screen magnifier. Or devices that have a virtual assistant and improved call quality for hard-of-hearing users. Tip #5: Get detailed information on each device In the list of devices that the database suggests as response to your search, you can click on any of the devices and get more detailed information on each device. Tip #6: Compare devices If you want to better understand the difference between the devices which the database suggests, you can select up to three devices and have the database compare them for you. This comparison will highlight the differences between the devices. Tip #7: Ensure that your favourite accessibility apps will work on your new device Some users might want to make sure that the accessibility apps which they are currently using, will still be available on a new device. The database shows the user a list of compatible accessibility apps for each device. Tip #8: Go and test the features The GARI database wants to inform consumers about accessibility solutions and accessible devices available in the market place today. However, before buying any device, we advice the consumer to go and test the device they have identified as appropriate in the database. Tip #9: Learn how to use the accessibility features Once you have purchased a device, there are many great tutorials on how to use the accessibility features. Please have a look at the GARI "Using Features" page for a collection of links to these tutorials. Tip #10: Spread the word Many of today's mobile devices offer a wide range of accessibility features that can help overcome a variety of barriers. Help us spread the word about the GARI database so that everyone can find a device best suited to their needs.

מסעה של לייליי לאחר קטיעה שמה של בתי הוא מלאיה אבל החברים והמשפחה קוראים לה "ליי ליי". היא נולדה עם עצם ירך קצרה וכתוצאה מכך רגלה השמאלית נקטעה. יש לה רגל תותבת מגיל שנתיים, היא כעת בת 6. ליי לא אהבה ללבוש שמלות קצרות או כל דבר שחושף את רגלה. היא נהגה לשאול מדוע יש לה רק רגל אחת ולילדים אחרים יש שתיים. הייתה לנו תקופה קשה אבל התגברנו. עכשיו, היא אוהבת ללכת לפארק, לשחות, ללבוש שמלות יפות ולא אכפת לה לספר לילדים הסקרנים האחרים על הרגל שלה. מלאיה מקווה לעזור לילדים קטנים אחרים עם מוגבלויות להיות עם ביטחון. LayLay's Journey after amputation My daughter's name is Malayah better known to family and friends as Lay. She was born with a shorten femur, which resulted in her left foot being amputated. She has had a prosthetic since the age of 2, she is now 6 years old. Lay didn't like wearing shorts dresses or anything that would show her leg. She used to question why she only has one leg and other kids have two. We had a rough patch, but we got over it. Now, she likes to go to the park, swim, wear nice dresses, and doesn't mind telling the other curious kids about her leg. Malayah is hoping to help other little boy's an girls with disabilities to have confidence

נולדתי עם סוג של גמדות (אכונדרופלזיה) שמי סופי הרצוג. כשנולדתי אובחנתי עם סוג של גמדות המכונה אכונדרופלזיה (מחלה תורשתית הגורמת לקטנות קומה). הייתי 1 מ-26,000. זכיתי במדליית כסף בשחייה במשחקים הפראלימפים ב-100 מ' חזה והגעתי למקום השישי ב-200 מ' משולב. אני אלופת העולם המכהנת הנוכחית ב-100 מ' חזה. I was born with a form of dwarfism (Achondroplasia) My name is Sophie Herzog. When I was born I was diagnosed with a form of dwarfism known as Achondroplasia. I was 1 in 26,000. I am a 2016 Paralympic Silver medalist in swimming in the sb6 100m breast stroke, and placed sixth in the 200 Individual Medley. I'm the current reigning World Champion in the 100m breaststroke. המשחקים הפראלימפיים 2020 עיר מולדתי היא סאות' פארק, קולורדו. הייתי הילדה הראשונה שסיימה את בית הספר שלי עם מוגבלות פיזית. עם אוכלוסייה של 500 נפשות, לצערי לא הייתה גישה לקבוצת שחייה, שלא לדבר על בריכת שחייה; אז סיימתי תיכון כשנה מוקדם מהרגיל ועברתי למרכז הדרכה אולימפי ב-2014 בו אני מתגוררת עד היום. אני חברת נבחרת פעמיים ומתאמנת לקראת המשחקים הפראלימפיים ב-2020. למדתי לשחות בגיל שלוש, הצטרפתי לקבוצת המועדון הראשון שלי בגיל 12 והפכתי למדליסטית בנבחרת הלאומית בגיל 19. אני כרגע לוקחת קורסים מקוונים בקולג' דברי. בזמני הפנוי כאן במרכז ההדרכה האולימפי בקולורדו ספרינגס, אני עובדת כמדריכת טיולים של הוועד האולימפי של ארה"ב. אני נהנית מציור, מציאת בתי קפה חדשים ונאומים לפני קהל. אני גם חברה ב-2017-2018 בתכנית המנטורים ובקרן ספורט הנשים. 2020 Paralympic Games My hometown is South Park, Colorado. I was the first kid to go through my school with a physical disability. With a 500 population sadly there was no access to a swim team let alone a swimming pool; so I graduated high school a year early and moved to the Olympic Training Center in 2014 and still currently reside here. I’m a two-time National Team member, training in preparation for the 2020 Paralympic Games. I learned to swim at age three, joined my first club team at twelve, and became a medalist on the national team at nineteen. I am currently taking online college courses with DeVry. In my free time here at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, I work as a USOC tour guide. I enjoy painting, finding new coffee shops, and public speaking. I am also a member of the 2017-2018 Classroom Champions mentor program, and part of the Women's Sport Foundation.

Inside the Lines From the time I learned how to write, I’ve been taught to stay inside the margins. There were twin pink vertical lines reminding all of us students to stay within the safe range. “Be neat,” they whispered. “Don’t cross those lines.” “Keep inside the margins like a good girl,” they warned. “Don’t go too far—it gets messy.” I complied. I was a neat-freak, a rule follower, after all, and I didn’t want to upset my teachers. Touching the Lines Adopting my son, Sam, who has Down syndrome, took me past those pink lines. After two challenging post-partum experiences, I knew I could not birth any more children. Well-meaning people told me that having one girl and one boy made us a ‘million dollar family’, a goal my husband and I had never pursued. A few years passed after that comment, we decided it was time to add more kiddos to our family. Through prayer, finding an adoption agency, and registering with the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network, we were finally matched with our Sam. Beyond the Lines Turns out, the margins are beautiful. They are bursting with life and amazing stories of humanity that I never knew were written. Just past those pink borders is a resilient community of people who know what it feels like to be avoided, forgotten, and rejected. Parenting Sam—and getting to know others with different abilities--have helped to lead me past the boundaries to a place I may never have ventured otherwise. Erasing the Lines Then, I discovered yoocan, a positive, hopeful voice for those in the margins. Even better, they let the marginalized speak for themselves by giving them an online platform to share their unique stories. In creating space for people with disabilities, they boldly, enthusiastically declare value in a population our culture has tried so hard to silence. With their vision and willingness to celebrate those with different abilities, yoocan has taken an eraser to those margins, reminding all of us that there are gifts and skills and purpose beyond the lines. yoocan’s mission gives me hope that it is possible to live in a world without margins—that our lives are more rich, more diverse, and more rewarding when we move the barriers that keep us from connecting and we declare, "Your life matters. Look what you can do! Let's learn together." Follow me on Instagram: @katecarper Blog: http://katiecarper.com/

פגיעה בחוט השדרה עקב תאונת אופנוע אני אישה נורווגית עם פגיעה חלקית בחוט השדרה לאחר תאונת אופנוע ב-2003. מאז ניסיתי למצוא את דרכי אל חיי היומיום הרגילים. זו דרך ארוכה, רצופת קשיים ועבודה קשה, אבל גם עם הרבה כיף. חינכתי את עצמי למצוא עבודה מעניינת כמהנדסת ביוטכנולוגיה וכיום אני עובדת במעבדה בבית חולים. נבנה עבורי אופנוע כדי שאוכל לרכב גם בלי רגליים מתפקדות. מצאתי את אומנויות הלחימה כדרך לשמור על הגוף שלי בכושר. התחלתי עם הגנה עצמית בכיסאות גלגלים ב-2012 ועכשיו אני מובילה פרויקט נורבגי לעזור לאחרים לעשות את אותו הדבר. Spinal Cord Injury Caused By Motorcycle Accident I am a Norwegian woman with an incomplete Spinal Cord Injury after a motorcycle accident in 2003. Since then I have tried to find my way to a normal daily life. It has been a long road, both of difficulties and hard work, but also a lot of fun. I have educated myself to find an interesting job as a biological engineer and today I work in a hospital laboratory. I have had a motorcycle built so I can ride, even without functioning legs. I have found martial arts as a way of keeping my body in shape. I started with self defense for wheelchair users in 2012, and now I lead a Norwegian project to help others to do the same. אומנויות לחימה אני מתאמנת במועדון הקראטה בטרונדהיים לחלוטין כמו כל חבר אחר. אנחנו מתאמנים בקראטה, ויש לי שנה באיטליה שבה אני עובדת על כמה פרויקטים יחד עם החברים האיטלקים שלי ממשפחת אומנויות הלחימה. בשבילי אומנויות לחימה הן הדרך שלי לשמור על הגוף שלי בכושר. אני תמיד נאבקת למצוא מוטיבציה לאימון, אפשר להגיד שאני קצת עצלנית, אבל אומנויות לחימה הן הדבר הראשון שאני חושבת עליו כי זו פעילות כיפית! יש לי בעיה עם הגוף שלי כמו לאנשים רבים אחרים עם מוגבלות, אבל אני מרגישה ברת מזל בכל יום שיש לי את כל ההזדמנויות האלה. כיום האימון שלי הוא בעיקר צ'י קונג - לנשום ולחזק את הגוף מבפנים. אני נאבקת במשך שנים עם דלקת בזרועות ובכתפיים. זו אחת הסיבות שבחרתי (ולמרבה המזל הייתה לי ההזדמנות) לבלות שנה באיטליה שבה אטפל בגופי ואתמקד בהתחזקות נפשית ופיזית. Martial Arts I'm trained in Trondheim Karateklubb, and I’m fully included as any abled member. We are doing Makotokai karate, and I have a year in Italy where I work on some projects together with my Italian friends in the martial arts family. For me martial arts is my way of keeping my body in shape. I have always struggled to find motivation for training, maybe you can say I am a bit lazy, but martial arts is the first thing I am thinking of because it is a fun activity! I have trouble with my body as many other people with a disability do, but I feel lucky everyday that I have all these opportunities. Today my training is mostly QiGong - breathing and strengthening my body from inside. I have struggled for years with inflammation in arms and shoulders. That is one of the reasons I have chosen (and luckily had the opportunity) to spend a year in Italy where I will take care of my body and focus on getting stronger both mentally and physically. קראטה כסאות גלגלים הגעתי לחגורה שחורה בקראטה כסאות גלגלים ב-2017 ואני מקווה שאוכל לחזור לקראטה כשהגוף שלי יתייצב. אני גם מקווה להיות מדריכת קראטה עבור משתמשים אחרים בכיסאות גלגלים, ובמשך הזמן אולי יהיו לנו אנשים שיתחרו גם. אני רק בהתחלה אבל בטוחה שזאת הדרך שלי לחיים נורמליים וטובים. Makotokai Wheelchair Karate I became a black belt in Makotokai wheelchair karate in 2017, and I hope I can get back to karate when my body is well again. I also hope to be an instructor for other wheelchair users doing Makotokai Karate, and in time maybe we will have people competing also. I have just started, but I am sure this is my way to a normal and good life.

הכדורסל לימד אותי להיות נחוש כתוצאה מלידה מוקדמת פיתחתי כמה בעיות שהביאו למצב הנוכחי שלי. יש לי שיתוק מוחין ואני משתמש בכיסא גלגלים. כשעברתי לארה"ב כבן 10, התחלתי מיד לאהוב לצפות בכדורסל! אני חי בלוס אנג'לס ומעריץ של הלייקרס לנצח. יש משהו בלייקרס שמשך אותי לזה. אני ממשיך לתמוך בהם למרות העליות והמורדות. הצבתי לעצמי מטרה שהיא בסופו של דבר לעבוד עבור הלייקרס בשלב מסוים. ראשית, התחלתי ללמוד על הספורט. ב-15 השנים האחרונות צפיתי בכדורסל בטלוויזיה בכל יום (כמעט). הקשבתי לפרשנים, למאמנים, לשחקנים מדברים על כדורסל ולמדתי הרבה על המשחק בדרך זו. שנית, אבא שלי קנה לי משחק וידאו של כדורסל. אני כבר משחק במשחקי NBA בקונסולת המשחקים שלי 15+ שנים, מה שאיפשר לי להבין איך קבוצות משחקות את המשחק ואת האסטרטגיות בהן הן משתמשות כדי לנצח. Basketball taught me to hustle As a premie I developed some problems that resulted into my present condition. I have Cerebral Palsy and use a wheelchair with Cerebral Palsy-related conditions. When I moved to the US as a 10 year old, I instantly liked watching basketball! Of course, living in Los Angeles, I am a Lakers fan for life. There is just something about the Lakers that drew me in. I continue to root for them despite their ups and downs. Very early I had established a goal for myself. And that is to eventually work for the Lakers at some point. First, I started learning about the sport. For the past 15+ years I have watched basketball on TV every single day (almost). I listened to commentators, coaches, players speaking about basketball and learned a lot about the game that way. Second, I had my dad buy me a basketball video game. I have been playing NBA games on my gaming console for 15+ years now, which has allowed me to understand how teams play the game and the strategies they use to win. כדורסל נכים הצטרפתי לקבוצת כדורסל נכים כאן בלוס אנג'לס בשם "נורת'רידג' נייטס". אני כבר משחק בליגת ה-NWBA המקומית מזה 10 שנים. אני מתנדב בכמה מקומות מתי שאני יכול והתחברתי עם מספר אנשים בכיסאות גלגלים. עכשיו, יש לי ג'וב כמדריך כדורסל עבור בני 4-5. חברים של הוריי אומרים שזה לא קל בסופו של דבר לעבוד בעבודה שהיא התשוקה שלך ומאחלים לי הצלחה במה שאני עושה. אני תמיד מציב לעצמי מטרות שקשה להשיגן עבור מישהו בכיסא גלגלים, אבל בסופו של דבר מגיע אליהן - אם לא לגמרי אז חלקית. אבל, הבאה עשויה להיות קשה מכיוון שמדובר בלייקרס וקשה להגיע לעבודה אצלם. עם זאת, אני נחוש מאוד להגיע למטרה שלי יום אחד. כל מטרה שהגדרתי לעצמי כבר אפשרית, כך שגם זו תהיה בסופו של דבר! wheelchair basketball Lastly, I joined a wheelchair basketball team here in Los Angeles called Northridge Knights. I have been playing on the local NWBA league games for the past 10 years now. I volunteer at several places whenever I can and have made a bunch of friends in the wheelchair community. Right now, I have a gig as a basketball instructor for 4-5 year olds. Friends of my parents say that it is not easy to end up working in an area which is one’s passion, and they wish me well in what I do. I always set goals for myself that seem to be difficult to achieve for someone in a wheelchair, but eventually end up reaching them – partially if not completely. But, the next one may be tough just because it is the Lakers and it’s hard to get a job working for them. However, I am very determined to reach my goal someday. Every goal I’ve set for myself has been reachable, so this one will also be – eventually!

היו נהדרים נוריתי בגיל צעיר. המשכתי לעזור להרבה אנשים ללא תנאי כי אני עושה דברים מתוך אהבה. מעולם לא התלוננתי או שקלתי לוותר. גברים אמיתיים לא ממציאים תירוצים. אנחנו לוקחים את ההפסדים שלנו ומתחשלים. אנשים רוצים לראות אתכם נכשלים בגלל חוסר הביטחון שלהם. אני יודע שזה הדהים הרבה אנשים כשהם ראו אותי חוזר ממצב שהיה גומר את רוב האנשים. כל מי שקרוב אלי יודע שהאווירה איתי שונה ואני עדיין הכי חיובי בחדר, לא משנה מי נמצא בו. חזרתי לקולג' ואני עומד לסיים את הלימודים בשנה הבאה. Be Great I was shot at a young age because I was put in this situation and got straight to the bag. I continued to help a lot of people without any form of acknowledgement because I do things out of love. I never once complained or contemplated giving up. Real men don’t make excuses. We take our losses and do better. As many supporters you may imagine you have, it’s always going to people who want to see you fail because of their own insecurities. I know it shocked a lot of people when they saw me bounce back from a situation that would have ended most people. Anybody that has been close to me knows my vibe is different and I’m still the waviest in the room despite who is in it. I put myself back in college and I’m going to graduate next year. אל תתנו לאף אחד להרוס את התהליך שלכם המפתח לאמון מוחלט בעצמכם הוא שלא יהיה לכם אכפת ממה שאחרים עושים. זה עלול לקחת קצת זמן או אפילו שנים. אנשים רבים נכשלים כי הם מתחילים לקבל ראייה מטושטשת ובסופו של דבר להיכנע על ידי השוואה לאחרים. Don't let anyone rush your process The key of having overall confidence in yourself is not caring what outsiders are doing.It may take some time or even years, but what is for you will eventually come to the past with a great work ethic. Many people fail because they start to get blurry vision and during the process they eventually quit by comparing with what others have.

Hiding My Disability Social media is such a part of our everyday lives, we go to sleep at night scrolling through Instagram and seeing what’s trending on Twitter. For many of us the first thing we do when we wake up in the morning is grab our phones to see what we missed in the “internet world” during those 8 hours we were sleeping. Now, trust me I’m not bashing the internet or social media world. I happen to love that world, but sometimes society has a lot to say in that world. You scroll around and we’re so quick to judge people and assume how perfect someone’s life may be, how skinny someone is, how beautiful they are or how successful they may be. You very rarely see someone's struggles. It’s so easy to hide your life and struggles in a picture, so most people do. I always thought that was wrong because living with a disability I always felt like I had to hide that fact about me, even though it was clearly obvious when I would walk, it wasn’t so obvious in pictures. So I never shared my struggles or hard days, just like most people only share their success. Discovering Yoocan When I came across Yoocan it was almost a whole new world in the internet world that I wasn’t used to seeing but I was definitely intrigued because when I came across Yoocan it was around the same time I decided to finally start Eyeliner & Empowerment, my YouTube channel and blog about living life with Cerebral Palsy. I looked around on their Instagram and saw all these amazing people sharing their own story around the world about their life with their disability. I think I spent an hour scrolling down on their Instagram reading all of these amazing stories, and also learning about different disabilities, so I decided to submit my own and share why I decided to start my blog. Growing Up With Cerebral Palsy "Hi, I'm Jessica and I have a disability... Cerebral Palsy to be exact. You can't exactly hide the fact that you have CP. It's there and it's for the world to see. It took me years to be okay with having a disability, I never admitted it to myself or anyone else. If someone asked why I walked with a limp, I would brush it off and answer with a simple "I was born like this" and then walk away feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I always wanted it to just go away, so bad that I would have dreams at night of me walking "normal". Even though I have a big Italian family and a ton of friends I always felt so alone, I felt like no one truly understood my disability. It was after a horrible breakup when I realized that I had to accept who I was and love myself for every little "flaw" that makes me who I am. I had to change my mindset to think positive, and once I did my life changed for the better. Shortly after I met my fiancé who supported my dream and gave me the push to help as many people with CP as I could. ____________I recently put my heart and soul into creating a blog called Eyeliner and Empowerment and a YouTube channel called Jessica Marie. I've been sharing stories and tips and tricks on how to live a positive life with Cerebral Palsy. I have now decided to dedicate my life to helping people know that they aren't alone, and that so many people understand what you’re going through." The yoocan Community Welcomes & Supports You It was after they uploaded my entry I noticed what an amazing community Yoocan was. I was getting beautiful messages and supportive comments. I remember years ago when I had no friends with disabilities and I felt so alone and Yoocan makes you feel so welcomed and part of a community and it’s so wonderful because you realize you are not the only one out there who is going through something and you have these people who you might never get the chance to meet helping you through it and cheering you on. Besides their amazing Instagram, Yoocan has took many chances on me. They asked me to be their first Instagram Live Story Takeover where I was able to film myself throughout the day and show people what it’s like living with my disability and also to do one of their Empowerment Talks where I was able to discuss Dating with Cerebral Palsy and answer questions on a web chat with other people with from the community.