Intriguing Video

The recent outbreak of Cholera in Haiti reminded me of this video:

Solidarités International: Water talks from La Boite Concept on Vimeo.

Makes you think. Doesn't it?
Via: Black Effiel

Monty Python: Hilarious or Rude

Many of the walks in Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks" resembles that of someone with Cerebral Palsy. I have yet to decide if this is downright rude or hilarious.



This article from the UK Comedy Guide talks about the presence of disability in comedy.

What do you think?
Is it okay to use disabilities in comedy?
Does this increase awareness of all kinds of disabilities or is it just plain rude?

Passports and Postage Stamps

I haven't written on this blog for almost a month and that makes me sad. Hopefully, with summer coming, I will be able to write posts more frequently! My mind is filled with thoughts of summer vacation, so the next couple of post may be less related or not at all related to Cerebral Palsy. Anyways, about summer, I am preparing for a trip to the Dominican Republic this summer....














so I recently had to renew my passport. Oh, how I love the bureaucracy! Waiting in a line, feeling like my feet are about to fall off, with not a chair in sight, on a perfectly beautiful Friday afternoon was less than ideal.
Posted on the wall was an article stating "This Post Office Rated Best in County." Oh, the irony! The "clerk," affectionately called the passport making lady said she closed at 4 PM and it was quarter of 4, with six people in front of me (and my family). As I was standing there I thought, "Hey, let's go look at some cool stamps!" Sadly the cool stamps were behind the tall counter and are impossible to see for someone that's both vertically and visually challenged. So, I resulted to looking at the "uber cool" flag and liberty bell stamps.
As you can believe this wasn't that exciting because I can go home, open a drawer, and look at all the liberty and flag stamps that I want. Sigh, if only the machine had had these beautiful stamps. Finally, we (my family and I) were called up to the "clerk's" "desk" (i.e. card table), my picture had to be retaken because the background was too dark, and my picture looks like I'm a deranged clown.

Share your thoughts!

What are your summer plans?
Do you know of any great camps for kids with special needs?
Have you been to the Dominican Republic?
What's your best/worst experience with the bureaucracy?

Advantages to CP

In my opinion, having Cerebral Palsy has many advantages. Here are some advantages that I have or will experience(d):

1. I can get paid for participating in medical studies.
2. Even though I don't, I have permission to use the elevator at school.
3. I am the only one in my graduating class with Cerebral Palsy.
4. I can get one of those blue parking passes.
5. I am not old, but I have already had Botox.
6. I have an excuse to take Pilates Classes.
7. Some of the most influential people in my life have to do with my Cerebral Palsy (my therapist, my Pilates teacher, and my adapted P.E. teacher).
8. When I write poetry, I automatically have something to write about.
9. Playing the cello is not only fun, it's also theraputic!
10. I understand all the jokes made by Josh Blue.

I want to know...

Do you have a list of ten great things about having Cerebral Palsy?

"Teachable Moments"

When I heard about President Obama's inappropriate comment comparing his bowling skills to the special olympics I was very upset. This newly elected President who I have admired and cheered for over the last months insulted something that is related to a major part of my life. President Obama who is, in my opinion, a believer of hope and equality has contradicted his own ideals, which were spoken in his hundreds of speeches given throughout the campaign season. In my opinion Obama slipped up BIG TIME! Nevertheless, I am still an avid admirer and supporter of him. I also believe that everyone makes mistakes that cause a lot of harm to certain groups of people and, yes, this is wrong, but the truth is that we do not live in a perfect world. Instead I think we should take this comment and turn into something good and productive, a time to realize that everybody has their differences and that the world is an amazing place because of these differences. Also, that everybody's differences, whether external or internal, should be respected by all. In the words of Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver, "This kind of language needs to be a teachable moment, I think, for our country." So, I think, in my opinion
we can all use President Obama's comment as a "teachable moment" whether its for ourselves or for another. On this issue I found this video of Good morning America's interview with Tim Shriver to be quite, to use his word, "affirming." Finally, this letter to Obama, written by Sarah from Class of 2008 (found at To the Max) is great and puts an uplifting perspective on this issue.

In other news..

Also, I want to wish you all a happy 2nd day of Spring! I am so excited for Spring I can hardly stand it! Oh, and just in case you missed it, yesterday was World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Don't worry, if you forgot or didn't know, I was informed by email a day ahead. Thank goodness for Facebook and its Cerebral Palsy awareness groups!

Feel free to share your thoughts...
What are your perspectives, opinions, or thoughts on President Obama's comment?
Are you all as excited for Spring as I am?
and
Did you do anything special for CP Awareness Day?