Bin’s Blog- 03/25/09

Goals:

Encouragement

Support

Motivation

Topics:

Challenges

Overcoming challenges/ perseverance

Self-Advocacy

Introduction

Thank you for showing an interest and reading my blog. I hope that my blog can show other people with disabilities that they can overcome their challenges and participate in their communities. The goal of my blog is to get the message out there in a way that will encourage, support and motivate individuals to do things they never thought possible.

Challenges

There are many challenges I experience in my everyday life. The most difficult challenge for me to overcome is living my life in a wheelchair and getting from place to place. Traveling anywhere alone is impossible for me to do. Accomplishing simple tasks is also not easy for me. Tasks such as using the telephone, cooking meals, getting ready for work and checking my email are a few of the tasks that are difficult for me and require the help of my aids. My diet is another challenge I face everyday. Choosing the right foods to eat is something I must constantly think about. Although I have many challenges to face, I continue to work hard and persevere to overcome living with these obstacles.

Overcoming my Challenges

I have learned how to do things on my own as much as possible. I have a great support system which has allowed me to go out in the community and do things independently. I have recently moved into my own apartment! With the help of others, I pay my bills, I go grocery shopping every other week, and I always find time to visit my fiancé on the weekends. I surround myself with great people who care about me and help me succeed and accomplish my goals. Camp has been there for me for many years. They support me in a variety of different ways. Over the years I have created life-long relationships with Camp. Camp has helped me find job coaches to help me when I’m at work every day. Because of the help given to me by Camp, I have been able to actively participate in my community.

Self-Advocacy

I realize that sitting at home and doing nothing will not get me anywhere. In order to see change in my life, I decided to be proactive in my community. One way I did this was going to the capitol building in Hartford, where I testified before my state representatives. Making an appearance and meeting my representatives had a positive effect on both myself and those I talked to. This encouraged me to get out there to self-advocate and advocate for other people too. I plan to continue to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. I hope that this will allow people to see and understand the needs that we have. Testifying in front of Senator Harp and other representatives, as well as a room full of people, was overwhelming and nerve-racking. I had never done something like that before. Although I was anxious to testify, I am really proud of myself for going through with it, because I feel like I was really able to make a huge impact on others.