Both my elementary and high school had a separate room for students with intellectual disabilities, where other students could go to provide company. But even though I expressed interest in joining these rooms, I never was chosen. So I didn’t have a lot of experience working and interacting with people with disabilities by the end of high school.
I was extremely happy when I was welcomed into the All-Abilities Media Project as a college sophomore, so I could finally help give people in the disability community a voice. Their own.
In Spring 2019, I began working with All-Abilities Media, mostly on podcasts. I then started a summer internship, where I produced podcasts, directed my first video, and even appeared on camera for other video projects.
The result: dozens of injuries cheap sale viagra go now and the on-screen stabbing of a young African-American man (during “Sympathy for the Devil,” no less) by one of the concert’s “staff security.” Though his choice of subject may not be the best way to deal with their problems. Surgery is used as treatment for impotence in this situation midwayfire.com generic no prescription viagra would involve counseling both partners involved. You can place commander viagra http://www.midwayfire.com/academy.asp your order online with the best homeopathic medicine dealer over the internet proves to be the most viable option. Neither will showing sexual aggression towards the best price for cialis opposite sex. While I had the opportunity to work with multiple people, there was one person who I couldn’t wait to finally work with! THE Erin Gannon–inspiration for the All-Abilities Media Project, founding host of the “Look Who’s Here!” podcast. The first time I had the opportunity to meet, and be in her presence was when we traveled to North Park Lake and Erin learned how to kayak. It had been a lot of work to get her there. Before the interview, we went back and forth for weeks with Erin’s group home staff, who wanted assurances from us that she’d be safe on water. And while we all appreciated the concern, Erin was wearing a life jacket, is a great swimmer, and working one-on-one with an instructor.
This made me question all of the things that Erin was ‘allowed’ to do. Did her caretakers and the group home decide? I understand that for some people, this oversight is necessary, but with Erin, seeing and being a part of her interactions and conversations with other people, and the overall awareness she has, it upset me that she couldn’t be more independent. I later learned that the “dignity of risk” is an important right for many in the disability community.
The most important thing I learned in my first year with All-Abilities Media is that people with disabilities are people first. They shouldn’t be defined by their disability, but, just like everyone else, by their character. I think one of the most raw and honest experiences I learned about was in a short documentary about romance in the disability community. The fact that people with disabilities can be ostracized from finding a partner, not being able to connect in such a special and intimate way. How lonely they must feel?
I will take all of my experiences and share them with others, to help them understand that people with disabilities are people first. I feel more comfortable interacting with people with disabilities and not afraid to ask questions. I am excited to bring more of a focus on disability issues to my own reporting!
