Don't DIS My ABILITY

I was recently selected to participate in the Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking (C2P2) program through Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities. The program is designed to ?empower family members and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism to advocate for positive change in policies that will enhance their quality of life.?

During our first session, Theo Braddy , Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, spoke to the group about his experiences. The session was powerful and very insightful.

My "aha" moment came when Mr. Braddy stated that his condition was not his disability; his disability was due to the lack of resources and assistance.?

This blew my mind.

If you think of “disabilities” in terms of the lack of resources and support, we are all disabled in some regard. For example, a young child would never learn to climb a tree, if they don’t have exposure or access to trees.?

Being physically handicapped didn’t prevent Mr. Braddy from going to college or becoming a college professor. The challenges he faced in achieving these goals were due to the lack of access and support. He shared that one of the biggest obstacles of being a professor was having to ask his students to open the door for him to enter or exit.

To misquote R&B artist Chris Brown, how can you learn from outside the club, you can’t get in?

People who use wheelchairs can now access buildings that were previously inaccessible because ramps are now required by law. Ramps don’t just benefit people who are wheelchair bound, but also parents with strollers and people who can’t use stairs due to knee injuries or pain.

The same principle applies to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Can people with Down syndrome go to college? Yes, they can. Can they become teachers and lawyers and fitness instructors?? Yes, they can. All they need is ACCESS to the appropriate resources and aid.

My daughter’s Down syndrome diagnosis will not prevent her from going to college or becoming a teacher. The hurdles she must overcome are in locating and accessing the correct programs and services that will help her pursue her dreams. When she was only 6 months old, an early intervention specialist told me that she would NEVER learn or follow instructions. I realized then, and I’m even more convinced now, that a person’s potential is not limited or determined by a medical diagnosis.?

In her 15 years, my daughter has accomplished four years of ballet, three years of cheerleading, performed in multiple plays, and is a four-sport athlete (basketball, soccer, handball & bocce). She’s also self-proclaimed “Tik Tok famous.”? This child can certainly learn and follow instructions.

As a parent, my expectations for all my children are the same.? I expect them to be good people, positive members of society and to pursue their dreams with passion and determination.? I don’t put limitations on them, and I don’t allow others to do so either, because I know with the right circumstances, they can achieve and become anything.?

If there is one lesson that I’ve learned on this journey is that you shouldn’t go around dissing anyone’s ability. We are all capable of reaching our dreams when we have the right tools and guidance.?