Kenzie Dancing with Dad

"Dancers Ma Li, she with one arm, and Zhai Xiaowei, he with one leg, complement each other beautifully in a moving ballet performance. A perfect example of making the most of what you’ve got to work with."

Read their back story here: 
https://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/ballet/
She has always been a dancer.  He was a cyclist and she inspired him to dance with her.  They were the first handicapped couple to ever enter the Chinese CCTV National Dance competition.

Depression - Black Dog Metaphor

Not Hearing Loss, Deaf Gain

Influence of The King's Speech

Ideas come from the strangest places sometimes — like from four-time Academy Award-winning movies from 2010. We all should grow up knowing that some people like Musharaf "Mushy" Asghar need to learn in a different way from the norm, and that's OK. They shouldn't be bullied for it. Wait till 2:49, when his hard work is put into action in front of his classmates. Thank goodness for inspiration, right?

Cerebral Palsy

This Comedian With Cerebral Palsy Will Make You Think Twice About The Word "Disability"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tedtalks/watch-this-woman-with-cer_b_4959970.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

If thinking of cerebral palsy makes you think of someone sad or helpless, then watch this talk and let comedian Maysoon Zayid blow your mind. She's fierce, she's funny, and she refuses to let you feel sorry for her.

Families of Children Who Have Special Needs

17 Things You Can Say to a Parent of a Child Who Has Special Needs Without Sounding Like a Jerk
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-darla-clayton-psyd/17-things-you-can-say-to-a-parent-of-a-child-who-has-special-needs-without-sounding-like-a-jerk_b_4953633.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Click the link to learn valuable information about what to say and why (as well as what NOT to say)
1. What not to say: "She looks so normal" or "I didn't know anything was wrong with him."
2. What not to say: "He looks fine to me" or "You would never know to look at her."
3. What not to say: "Is it genetic?"
4. What not to say: "He's going to grow out of it, right?"
5. What not to say: "Did you cause her to be in a wheelchair?"
6. What not to say: "My uncle's brother's nephew's cousin has autism, so I know what it's like" or "My nephew's cousin has autism, too. He's really good at math. What's your son gifted in?"
7. What not to say: "Why didn't you stop having kids after the first one?"
8. "God only gives you what you can handle."
9. What not to say: "Have you tried juicing?" or "Why don't you watch this movie about the keto diet?"
10. What not to say: Comments on work, such as: "It must be nice coming late" after running around all morning at appointments or "It must be nice getting to relax all day since you don't have a job."
11. What not to say: "He's one of God's special angels."
12. What not to say: "How in the world did you break both your legs?"
13. What not to say: "I don't know how you do it. You are a great mom" or "Do you really start his IVs, oh dear, I just couldn't possibly do that!"
14. What not to say: "I can't believe you give him (insert medicine or medical procedure here). I would never give that to my child."
15. What not to say: "I nearly had a stroke" or "I think I'm going to have an epileptic fit" or "Are you retarded?"
16. Always use person-first language.
17. Remember we're humans, too. Compliment us without a reference to our child's challenges.

10 Things Your Autistic Friend Wants You To Know
http://www.thefrisky.com/2014-03-20/10-things-your-autistic-friend-wants-you-to-know/
Click the link to learn valuable information about autism.
1. You can look us in the eyes.  
2. We’re drawn to each other.
3. Everything’s a big deal to us. 
4. We DO understand what’s going on.
5. We’re not always honest. 
6. Autism can look like pretty much anything else.
7.  We might show affection differently.  
8. We are not making excuses, but we don’t owe you explanations.
9. We have a tacit hierarchy.  
10. We are not all the same.

Woodstock Chimes Presents - Chimes for Autism - children are neuro-typically different
http://www.upworthy.com/a-neat-thing-happens-when-a-boy-really-really-likes-wind-chimes?c=ufb1

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When is it okay to use the word "retard"? Use this flowchart

http://www.upworthy.com/do-you-sometimes-use-the-word-retard-heres-a-good-way-to-know-when-its-ok-and-when-its-not?c=ufb1

Actually, never.  The answer is "never."  Find another word.

World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is on 3/21

3/21 because Down Syndrome is caused by 3 copies of chromosome 21

What would you do?

The Most Successful Football Play Of All Time

Richie Parker - And How Was Your Day?

Roxbury, MA in the News for Turning School Around

The Surprisingly Simple Change in Massachusetts
There's a widely held assumption that hiring more security guards (with guns!) will solve violence and other problems in our schools. After one school churned through five principals in seven years and become known as a "dropout factory," a principal decided to turn that idea on its head. The results are absolutely miraculous.

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apq8l9OoR8

Artist with Physical Disabilities in New Jersey

The Real Me

There are parts of ourselves we try to hide because somewhere along the way, we created the idea that we are alone in our flaws.  http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/06/the-real-unphotoshopped-me-liz-arch-photographed-by-robert-sturman/

 

CLICK THE LINK TO SEE HER BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS

 

The real me is someone with a normal, healthy body—and yes, a normal, healthy body has cellulite on the back of her thighs and a belly that folds instead of lays flat.

 

We flip through magazines and see gorgeous models with perfect bodies, then we look in the mirror and feel less than. The photo above shows much more than I would ever normally feel comfortable displaying, but I share it today with the hope that we can stop comparing ourselves to others and start loving ourselves for the beautifully flawed masterpieces that we truly are.

 

Sure, my ego loves looking at these “perfect” photoshopped images of myself, but these images aren’t the real me.  I have cellulite and stretch marks and days when I skip my yoga mat for the couch and a pint of ice cream. But in our social media driven world, where everybody’s life seems so much glossier than our own, we’ve managed to convince ourselves that real is not beautiful and every photo needs a filter. I’m definitely guilty of editing my public life down to a handful of inspiring quotes and photos on Facebook that only show my best sides.

 

I never really thought much about it, until I started receiving messages from people telling me how “perfect” my body was. The thought of other people lifting me up only to put themselves down broke my heart, especially since perfect is not a word I would ever use to describe myself. So I called my dear friend, photographer Robert Sturman, and asked him if he would shoot the “real” me.

 

One of the reasons I have always admired Robert’s work is because he doesn’t do a lot of retouching. He might adjust the exposure of an image or play with the background, but you will never see a size eight woman photoshopped down to a size four. As a skilled photographer, he knows the body’s angles and when angles are not enough, he leaves all unflattering photos on the cutting room floor.This shoot wasn’t about flattery though, so we threw the old rules out and created a new set: 1. No photoshopping of my body or face would be allowed. 2. All angles would be fair game.  3.  I would show up to the shoot as myself (translation: I would not starve myself, workout excessively, spray tan, or do any of the other absurd things models do before a shoot).

Read Me Differently

Read Me Differently http://readmedifferently.com/?utm_source=Oct+2012+Melissa+Regan+Family+Studies%2C+Psy%2C+Social+Work+Lists&utm_campaign=e3dd1fd03d-Sept_20_2011_RD_PubLib_Email_Campaign9_19_2011&utm_medium=email paints a portrait of three women bound by blood, but divided by a lack of understanding. It tells the story of a family whose complicated relationships stem from misunderstanding unidentified learning disabilities.

An estimated 15–20% of the current U.S. population has dyslexia, and 4.5 million children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

A shock of recognition in social work school leads award-winning filmmaker Sarah Entine to explore how undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD have impacted three generations in her family, starting with her own struggles. With surprising candor, vulnerability and even a touch of humor, Read Me Differently reveals the strain of misunderstood learning differences on family relationships. It is a unique film that will generate thoughtful discussion whether in a classroom setting, work environment or at home with family members and friends.

The Two Bobbies

The book on video! An interview with the author and the two Bobbies in real life with the adopted family.

Girls, Sports and Sportsmanship

In 2008, Sara Tucholsky hits her first homeroom, injures her ACL, and is carried around the bases, assisted by opposing teammate Mallory Holtman (all time career leading home run hitter for her college) and her short stop.

Read article http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/girls-sports-and-sportsmanship/?emc=eta1

See video of game here.

See more about sportsmanship and leadership.

 

"Winning is much more than the final score, it is how you feel at the end of the day" See interview here:

Singing about ADHD

A young boy sings (and dances with classmates) about his experience of having ADHD.  It is sung in Dutch (with English subtitles).  While not everyone's experience, it is HIS and a reasonable way to explain to peers through a kid level song.

Including Samuel

Including Samuel http://www.includingsamuel.com/media/Video/Samuel-Additional-Video.aspx:  This documentary of Habib and his wife Betsy feel strongly that Samuel should be fully included in typical classrooms. Samuel has the support of many people to ensure that this happens--from his family, to his teacher Barbara O'Brien, to his Phys. Ed. instructor, to the principal. It takes a lot of creativity to make this work, but Samuel's family believes that inclusion is the best way for every child - with or without a disability - to learn.