CHOICESS

Hang out with the guys from CHOICESS: a non profit that helps developmentally disabled adults get jobs and be apart of the community

these are some great comics to headline this conference

Free webinar Oct 10 focusing on helping AAC users to be self advocates, develop critical thinking skills, and a means of expression.

We got a long way to go!! The first time I saw a prefabbed community was in the mid 1980’s. I was only 25 early into supporting individuals with disabilities and thought how ridiculous. To see that we are still funding systems/programs that do not see the value in all people and that don’t realize that everything we all need is within our community. We don’t need fabricate real life. We just need to support individual’s with disabilities, their families Within the communities they already live. It’s not hard!

I know fire season is impacting many people here is a friend that can use your support too.

Today I took Jacob to get a haircut. He walked in like a typical young man, showed the stylist what he wanted on his phone and proceeded to ask her how she was ...doing. I heard Jacob carry the conversation with questions like, how's your day going and then tell her how his was. Afterward, the reception said in a soft tone (child tone) "would you like a sucker"? Jacob said "what"? in disbelief.. not because he didn't hear her, she repeated herself and he said "No thank you". when we walked out I asked Jacob how that made him feel. He said "I didn't like that, I felt like a baby and unaccepted"(as an adult). I didn't either. Jacob carries himself like an adult. I do not share this to embarrass or call anyone out. This is a result of our individuals with disabilities not being a part of classrooms and our communities. These women did not know how to interact with him. I was embarrassed for Jacob. My heart hurts when he feels those small punches to his stomach. I appreciate those doctors and nurses that speak to him directly, the bank teller who asks him the questions regarding his account, the waitress who asks him "whats for dinner" and not looking at me. I wonder how many of these little jabs I've missed that he has felt. advocating is a tough job, sometimes honestly sharing stories that hurt, but Jacob wants to share these so people understand and possibly learn so they don't do it to someone else..If your not sure how to treat a young man with Down syndrome or any disability, just treat him like a young man....On the up side, his haircut looks great! See more