I had to do an inspirational speech for Toastmasters and this was the speech I did about raising my differently-abled son. I recorded the speech, so feel free to download and listen and let me know your thoughts.
This document contains a collection of family photos, cards, and poems from various occasions between June 11, 1961 and July 25, 2009. It highlights important family events like high school graduations, holidays, birthdays, and puppies being born. The document also includes a poem by Adrienne Couts about dealing with the loss of her Uncle Greg to suicide and finding comfort in the words "Be Not Afraid".
The document provides an autobiographical summary of Chase Mauldin's life. It states that Chase was born on July 26, 1994 in Wilmington, North Carolina and grew up in Stanly County with his mother and two older brothers. When Chase was 12 years old, his mother passed away, which significantly changed his life, leading him to move in with his brothers at his father and stepmother's home, where he has now lived for four years. The document also includes Chase Mauldin's contact information.
A mother named Karen helped her 3-year-old son Michael prepare to welcome his new baby sister. During the pregnancy and birth complications, Michael sang to his sister in the womb. When the baby was born in serious condition and rushed to the NICU, Michael kept begging to sing to her. Despite rules against children in the NICU, Karen brought Michael to sing his sister's favorite song. As Michael sang "You Are My Sunshine", the baby's condition improved and she was able to go home the next day, in what was called "The Miracle of a Brother's Song."
Week 9- A few lifts in- Oceanography, Education, Pets Showbiz & Services... 2nd generation is grown and wanting to be heir so they can rule the house and raise the next generation...
This document provides an update on the Skull Valley neighborhood in Week 6. It summarizes the activities of several families, including the Hamiltons, Longs, and Majors. Key events include Lauren and Jacqueline becoming teenagers, Mitchell and Niall celebrating their birthdays, and Haileigh Long growing into a toddler. It also provides statistics on the overall neighborhood, such as the number of playable sims, households, businesses, and careers unlocked.
Caden Michael Harman is having a pre-arrival party to celebrate his upcoming birth on July 12, 2008. The letter lists several deceased family members that Caden will not get to meet, but that his parents will tell him about, including grandparents and a cousin. It also includes the lyrics to "You're My Angel" about finding comfort and support from an angel.
Newt struggles to find a Halloween costume after his brother's recent accident. His friends Cecil and JJ help transform an outfit for Newt using his brother's old clothes. They add a mask that makes Newt feel hidden and protected. At their first house, the occupants cannot guess Newt's character. However, Newt finds courage and declares that his name is Captain Nobody.
Chapter six moral fallacies for blackboardsherryliu8023
The document discusses several examples of logical fallacies, including the naturalistic fallacy, appeal to nature, appeal to tradition, appeal to popularity, false compromise, slippery slope, appeal to fear, post hoc fallacy, double standard, and tu quoque fallacy. It provides scenarios where these fallacies are used to argue a position but the reasoning is flawed.
This document contains a collection of family photos, cards, and poems from various occasions between June 11, 1961 and July 25, 2009. It highlights important family events like high school graduations, holidays, birthdays, and puppies being born. The document also includes a poem by Adrienne Couts about dealing with the loss of her Uncle Greg to suicide and finding comfort in the words "Be Not Afraid".
The document provides an autobiographical summary of Chase Mauldin's life. It states that Chase was born on July 26, 1994 in Wilmington, North Carolina and grew up in Stanly County with his mother and two older brothers. When Chase was 12 years old, his mother passed away, which significantly changed his life, leading him to move in with his brothers at his father and stepmother's home, where he has now lived for four years. The document also includes Chase Mauldin's contact information.
A mother named Karen helped her 3-year-old son Michael prepare to welcome his new baby sister. During the pregnancy and birth complications, Michael sang to his sister in the womb. When the baby was born in serious condition and rushed to the NICU, Michael kept begging to sing to her. Despite rules against children in the NICU, Karen brought Michael to sing his sister's favorite song. As Michael sang "You Are My Sunshine", the baby's condition improved and she was able to go home the next day, in what was called "The Miracle of a Brother's Song."
Week 9- A few lifts in- Oceanography, Education, Pets Showbiz & Services... 2nd generation is grown and wanting to be heir so they can rule the house and raise the next generation...
This document provides an update on the Skull Valley neighborhood in Week 6. It summarizes the activities of several families, including the Hamiltons, Longs, and Majors. Key events include Lauren and Jacqueline becoming teenagers, Mitchell and Niall celebrating their birthdays, and Haileigh Long growing into a toddler. It also provides statistics on the overall neighborhood, such as the number of playable sims, households, businesses, and careers unlocked.
Caden Michael Harman is having a pre-arrival party to celebrate his upcoming birth on July 12, 2008. The letter lists several deceased family members that Caden will not get to meet, but that his parents will tell him about, including grandparents and a cousin. It also includes the lyrics to "You're My Angel" about finding comfort and support from an angel.
Newt struggles to find a Halloween costume after his brother's recent accident. His friends Cecil and JJ help transform an outfit for Newt using his brother's old clothes. They add a mask that makes Newt feel hidden and protected. At their first house, the occupants cannot guess Newt's character. However, Newt finds courage and declares that his name is Captain Nobody.
Chapter six moral fallacies for blackboardsherryliu8023
The document discusses several examples of logical fallacies, including the naturalistic fallacy, appeal to nature, appeal to tradition, appeal to popularity, false compromise, slippery slope, appeal to fear, post hoc fallacy, double standard, and tu quoque fallacy. It provides scenarios where these fallacies are used to argue a position but the reasoning is flawed.
This document provides an introduction to a family dealing with bipolar disorder and ADHD. It begins by introducing the mother, Jane Deer, and her three children - Kyle, Kalee, and Karee. Kalee, age 17, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 and ADHD at age 12. The document describes some of Kalee's challenging behaviors prior to diagnosis and medication, such as inability to sleep, aggression, and risk-taking. It discusses the family's experience trying different medications to manage Kalee's conditions over several years, including various side effects, before finding a combination of Risperdal and Concerta that was effective.
This document discusses the importance of family and the debt that cannot be repaid to one's parents. It begins by describing how parents transform when a child is born and all their priorities change. It then questions what life would have been like without parents, who would have cared for you when sick or taught basic tasks. The document calls family the most important thing and says that true family goes beyond a simple social unit, as you would sacrifice for family. It expresses feeling lucky to have a caring family but wondering how to repay their love and support. It specifically thanks the author's father for being his whole life, working tirelessly so he wants for nothing and allowing him to freely make mistakes, calling the father a genie and saying
This chapter documents Eileen facing hopelessness as she tries to lift spirits while observing restrictions in her new living situation. She struggles with isolation, losing friends quickly, and not being able to contact her partner Sullivan regularly. After making a difficult career choice and meditating away time, Eileen finally reaches an iconic status allowing more freedom and is reunited with Sullivan.
This story tells of a young woman who is feeling discouraged and wants to give up due to difficulties in her life. Her mother takes her to the kitchen and boils carrots, eggs, and coffee beans in three pots of water. After removing them, the mother asks the daughter to observe how each reacted differently to the boiling water. The carrots softened, the egg hardened inside but remained intact, and the coffee beans changed the water. The mother asks the daughter which one she is - implying whether she wilts under pressure, gets hardened by difficulties, or transforms the situation. The story encourages facing adversity by elevating oneself to make positive change.
This presentation introduces the four group members through short autobiographies:
- Cristy Ampania shares about her upbringing, faith, dreams of helping her family, and strengths/weaknesses.
- Miriam De Leon introduces herself and her dream of being a flight attendant. She discusses her close relationship with her mother and faith.
- Jaylon Juan presents himself as a gamer who finds happiness with his supportive family, sharing photos of them bonding.
- Cee-jay Peralta's story begins with his childhood and introduction of his mother and family who support him. He is currently in senior high school studying ABM.
Eileen faces her elder days as Sullivan tries to support their family. Eileen worries for Kate's future and proposes that Corey, her best friend, moves in to help care for Kate after she passes. On her final Tuesday, Eileen loses her mental faculties. Corey moves in as planned and Sullivan works to reassure Kate and keep their family functioning amid this difficult transition.
Traviata, a powerful Level 1 witch, reveals to Leap that she survived being burned at the stake by faking her death. She confronts Leap and tells him she is more powerful than ever before without needing a wand. Meanwhile, Payton and Kenya have a beautiful wedding that is attended by their family. The twins Shelby and Savannah enjoy playing in the pool at the reception. Later, March reveals to her mother February that she is pregnant again, though saddened that the baby will never meet its grandfather Zai, who recently passed away. Maya returns home with her daughter Brianna and explains to her mother Faye that she met and married Talin in Twikki Island, though she had originally
The document provides an update on generation nine of the author's Sims legacy. It introduces two new babies, Han Solo Bored and Anita Blake Bored, who will be the heirs. Drama ensues between Jill and Veronica, while the family continues aging up, having more babies, and dealing with ghosts and other Sims activities.
The Calypso Family Apocalypse - Chapter 3Twilight77
This chapter follows the Calypso family as they deal with growing pains and the challenges of the apocalypse. Emily has a mental breakdown after growing up and not fulfilling her lifetime want to go to college. She sees an imaginary shrink to help cope with her feelings of inadequacy. Elsewhere, Neely the cat dies of old age, upsetting the family. By the end of the chapter, Emily seems to have recovered from her breakdown with the help of her imaginary therapist. The narrator hopes there will be no more "Years of Hell" for the family going forward.
The document contains summaries of multiple paragraphs describing various psychological concepts and scenarios. It discusses topics like observing a horse from a distance, conducting a medical study with placebos, treating an uncommon disease, combining Pepsi and milk, soil reuptake by machinery, muscle control by the somatic nervous system during dancing, the sympathetic nervous system response to fear, calming down after realizing a scare was just a prank, brain structures controlling breathing, heart rate, emotions, coordination and vision, inattentional blindness while driving, falling asleep randomly due to excitement, feeling good after exercise due to endogenous opiates, the effects of LSD, object permanence with hidden keys, lack of theory of mind, differences due to age gaps,
Capcess great sales story in simple manner هدانى ربى اليه
1) The document discusses a book titled "Cappuccino & Success" which contains 101 short motivational stories. Each story illustrates a success principle and is meant to inspire and motivate readers.
2) An excerpt from one of the stories is provided which talks about a boy who wanted to learn the secret of success from a wise man. The wise man demonstrated that success requires an intense desire, like wanting to breathe.
3) Another excerpt shares a story about a boy named Robby who practiced piano to play one last time for his mother before she passed away from cancer. His powerful reason allowed him to give a brilliant performance.
A little boy asks his mother why she cries. She says it's because she is a woman and he will never understand. When he grows up, he asks God why women cry so easily. God answers that when He created woman, He gave her the strength to bear the weight of the world with strong yet soft shoulders, the ability to give life and accept rejection from children, and the strength to go on when others give up and take care of her family despite hardship. God gave women tears so they can be shed whenever needed, and that a woman's beauty resides in her eyes and heart, often seen through her tears.
This presentation by Professor Alex Robson, Deputy Chair of Australia’s Productivity Commission, was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the 77th meeting of the OECD Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
Collapsing Narratives: Exploring Non-Linearity • a micro report by Rosie WellsRosie Wells
Insight: In a landscape where traditional narrative structures are giving way to fragmented and non-linear forms of storytelling, there lies immense potential for creativity and exploration.
'Collapsing Narratives: Exploring Non-Linearity' is a micro report from Rosie Wells.
Rosie Wells is an Arts & Cultural Strategist uniquely positioned at the intersection of grassroots and mainstream storytelling.
Their work is focused on developing meaningful and lasting connections that can drive social change.
Please download this presentation to enjoy the hyperlinks!
Suzanne Lagerweij - Influence Without Power - Why Empathy is Your Best Friend...Suzanne Lagerweij
This is a workshop about communication and collaboration. We will experience how we can analyze the reasons for resistance to change (exercise 1) and practice how to improve our conversation style and be more in control and effective in the way we communicate (exercise 2).
This session will use Dave Gray’s Empathy Mapping, Argyris’ Ladder of Inference and The Four Rs from Agile Conversations (Squirrel and Fredrick).
Abstract:
Let’s talk about powerful conversations! We all know how to lead a constructive conversation, right? Then why is it so difficult to have those conversations with people at work, especially those in powerful positions that show resistance to change?
Learning to control and direct conversations takes understanding and practice.
We can combine our innate empathy with our analytical skills to gain a deeper understanding of complex situations at work. Join this session to learn how to prepare for difficult conversations and how to improve our agile conversations in order to be more influential without power. We will use Dave Gray’s Empathy Mapping, Argyris’ Ladder of Inference and The Four Rs from Agile Conversations (Squirrel and Fredrick).
In the session you will experience how preparing and reflecting on your conversation can help you be more influential at work. You will learn how to communicate more effectively with the people needed to achieve positive change. You will leave with a self-revised version of a difficult conversation and a practical model to use when you get back to work.
Come learn more on how to become a real influencer!
This presentation by OECD, OECD Secretariat, was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the 77th meeting of the OECD Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
This document provides an introduction to a family dealing with bipolar disorder and ADHD. It begins by introducing the mother, Jane Deer, and her three children - Kyle, Kalee, and Karee. Kalee, age 17, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 and ADHD at age 12. The document describes some of Kalee's challenging behaviors prior to diagnosis and medication, such as inability to sleep, aggression, and risk-taking. It discusses the family's experience trying different medications to manage Kalee's conditions over several years, including various side effects, before finding a combination of Risperdal and Concerta that was effective.
This document discusses the importance of family and the debt that cannot be repaid to one's parents. It begins by describing how parents transform when a child is born and all their priorities change. It then questions what life would have been like without parents, who would have cared for you when sick or taught basic tasks. The document calls family the most important thing and says that true family goes beyond a simple social unit, as you would sacrifice for family. It expresses feeling lucky to have a caring family but wondering how to repay their love and support. It specifically thanks the author's father for being his whole life, working tirelessly so he wants for nothing and allowing him to freely make mistakes, calling the father a genie and saying
This chapter documents Eileen facing hopelessness as she tries to lift spirits while observing restrictions in her new living situation. She struggles with isolation, losing friends quickly, and not being able to contact her partner Sullivan regularly. After making a difficult career choice and meditating away time, Eileen finally reaches an iconic status allowing more freedom and is reunited with Sullivan.
This story tells of a young woman who is feeling discouraged and wants to give up due to difficulties in her life. Her mother takes her to the kitchen and boils carrots, eggs, and coffee beans in three pots of water. After removing them, the mother asks the daughter to observe how each reacted differently to the boiling water. The carrots softened, the egg hardened inside but remained intact, and the coffee beans changed the water. The mother asks the daughter which one she is - implying whether she wilts under pressure, gets hardened by difficulties, or transforms the situation. The story encourages facing adversity by elevating oneself to make positive change.
This presentation introduces the four group members through short autobiographies:
- Cristy Ampania shares about her upbringing, faith, dreams of helping her family, and strengths/weaknesses.
- Miriam De Leon introduces herself and her dream of being a flight attendant. She discusses her close relationship with her mother and faith.
- Jaylon Juan presents himself as a gamer who finds happiness with his supportive family, sharing photos of them bonding.
- Cee-jay Peralta's story begins with his childhood and introduction of his mother and family who support him. He is currently in senior high school studying ABM.
Eileen faces her elder days as Sullivan tries to support their family. Eileen worries for Kate's future and proposes that Corey, her best friend, moves in to help care for Kate after she passes. On her final Tuesday, Eileen loses her mental faculties. Corey moves in as planned and Sullivan works to reassure Kate and keep their family functioning amid this difficult transition.
Traviata, a powerful Level 1 witch, reveals to Leap that she survived being burned at the stake by faking her death. She confronts Leap and tells him she is more powerful than ever before without needing a wand. Meanwhile, Payton and Kenya have a beautiful wedding that is attended by their family. The twins Shelby and Savannah enjoy playing in the pool at the reception. Later, March reveals to her mother February that she is pregnant again, though saddened that the baby will never meet its grandfather Zai, who recently passed away. Maya returns home with her daughter Brianna and explains to her mother Faye that she met and married Talin in Twikki Island, though she had originally
The document provides an update on generation nine of the author's Sims legacy. It introduces two new babies, Han Solo Bored and Anita Blake Bored, who will be the heirs. Drama ensues between Jill and Veronica, while the family continues aging up, having more babies, and dealing with ghosts and other Sims activities.
The Calypso Family Apocalypse - Chapter 3Twilight77
This chapter follows the Calypso family as they deal with growing pains and the challenges of the apocalypse. Emily has a mental breakdown after growing up and not fulfilling her lifetime want to go to college. She sees an imaginary shrink to help cope with her feelings of inadequacy. Elsewhere, Neely the cat dies of old age, upsetting the family. By the end of the chapter, Emily seems to have recovered from her breakdown with the help of her imaginary therapist. The narrator hopes there will be no more "Years of Hell" for the family going forward.
The document contains summaries of multiple paragraphs describing various psychological concepts and scenarios. It discusses topics like observing a horse from a distance, conducting a medical study with placebos, treating an uncommon disease, combining Pepsi and milk, soil reuptake by machinery, muscle control by the somatic nervous system during dancing, the sympathetic nervous system response to fear, calming down after realizing a scare was just a prank, brain structures controlling breathing, heart rate, emotions, coordination and vision, inattentional blindness while driving, falling asleep randomly due to excitement, feeling good after exercise due to endogenous opiates, the effects of LSD, object permanence with hidden keys, lack of theory of mind, differences due to age gaps,
Capcess great sales story in simple manner هدانى ربى اليه
1) The document discusses a book titled "Cappuccino & Success" which contains 101 short motivational stories. Each story illustrates a success principle and is meant to inspire and motivate readers.
2) An excerpt from one of the stories is provided which talks about a boy who wanted to learn the secret of success from a wise man. The wise man demonstrated that success requires an intense desire, like wanting to breathe.
3) Another excerpt shares a story about a boy named Robby who practiced piano to play one last time for his mother before she passed away from cancer. His powerful reason allowed him to give a brilliant performance.
A little boy asks his mother why she cries. She says it's because she is a woman and he will never understand. When he grows up, he asks God why women cry so easily. God answers that when He created woman, He gave her the strength to bear the weight of the world with strong yet soft shoulders, the ability to give life and accept rejection from children, and the strength to go on when others give up and take care of her family despite hardship. God gave women tears so they can be shed whenever needed, and that a woman's beauty resides in her eyes and heart, often seen through her tears.
Similar to The Special Mother - Sean's Speech (14)
This presentation by Professor Alex Robson, Deputy Chair of Australia’s Productivity Commission, was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the 77th meeting of the OECD Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
Collapsing Narratives: Exploring Non-Linearity • a micro report by Rosie WellsRosie Wells
Insight: In a landscape where traditional narrative structures are giving way to fragmented and non-linear forms of storytelling, there lies immense potential for creativity and exploration.
'Collapsing Narratives: Exploring Non-Linearity' is a micro report from Rosie Wells.
Rosie Wells is an Arts & Cultural Strategist uniquely positioned at the intersection of grassroots and mainstream storytelling.
Their work is focused on developing meaningful and lasting connections that can drive social change.
Please download this presentation to enjoy the hyperlinks!
Suzanne Lagerweij - Influence Without Power - Why Empathy is Your Best Friend...Suzanne Lagerweij
This is a workshop about communication and collaboration. We will experience how we can analyze the reasons for resistance to change (exercise 1) and practice how to improve our conversation style and be more in control and effective in the way we communicate (exercise 2).
This session will use Dave Gray’s Empathy Mapping, Argyris’ Ladder of Inference and The Four Rs from Agile Conversations (Squirrel and Fredrick).
Abstract:
Let’s talk about powerful conversations! We all know how to lead a constructive conversation, right? Then why is it so difficult to have those conversations with people at work, especially those in powerful positions that show resistance to change?
Learning to control and direct conversations takes understanding and practice.
We can combine our innate empathy with our analytical skills to gain a deeper understanding of complex situations at work. Join this session to learn how to prepare for difficult conversations and how to improve our agile conversations in order to be more influential without power. We will use Dave Gray’s Empathy Mapping, Argyris’ Ladder of Inference and The Four Rs from Agile Conversations (Squirrel and Fredrick).
In the session you will experience how preparing and reflecting on your conversation can help you be more influential at work. You will learn how to communicate more effectively with the people needed to achieve positive change. You will leave with a self-revised version of a difficult conversation and a practical model to use when you get back to work.
Come learn more on how to become a real influencer!
This presentation by OECD, OECD Secretariat, was made during the discussion “Competition and Regulation in Professions and Occupations” held at the 77th meeting of the OECD Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation on 10 June 2024. More papers and presentations on the topic can be found at oe.cd/crps.
This presentation was uploaded with the author’s consent.
Carrer goals.pptx and their importance in real lifeartemacademy2
Career goals serve as a roadmap for individuals, guiding them toward achieving long-term professional aspirations and personal fulfillment. Establishing clear career goals enables professionals to focus their efforts on developing specific skills, gaining relevant experience, and making strategic decisions that align with their desired career trajectory. By setting both short-term and long-term objectives, individuals can systematically track their progress, make necessary adjustments, and stay motivated. Short-term goals often include acquiring new qualifications, mastering particular competencies, or securing a specific role, while long-term goals might encompass reaching executive positions, becoming industry experts, or launching entrepreneurial ventures.
Moreover, having well-defined career goals fosters a sense of purpose and direction, enhancing job satisfaction and overall productivity. It encourages continuous learning and adaptation, as professionals remain attuned to industry trends and evolving job market demands. Career goals also facilitate better time management and resource allocation, as individuals prioritize tasks and opportunities that advance their professional growth. In addition, articulating career goals can aid in networking and mentorship, as it allows individuals to communicate their aspirations clearly to potential mentors, colleagues, and employers, thereby opening doors to valuable guidance and support. Ultimately, career goals are integral to personal and professional development, driving individuals toward sustained success and fulfillment in their chosen fields.
Mastering the Concepts Tested in the Databricks Certified Data Engineer Assoc...SkillCertProExams
• For a full set of 760+ questions. Go to
https://skillcertpro.com/product/databricks-certified-data-engineer-associate-exam-questions/
• SkillCertPro offers detailed explanations to each question which helps to understand the concepts better.
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XP 2024 presentation: A New Look to Leadershipsamililja
Presentation slides from XP2024 conference, Bolzano IT. The slides describe a new view to leadership and combines it with anthro-complexity (aka cynefin).
This presentation, created by Syed Faiz ul Hassan, explores the profound influence of media on public perception and behavior. It delves into the evolution of media from oral traditions to modern digital and social media platforms. Key topics include the role of media in information propagation, socialization, crisis awareness, globalization, and education. The presentation also examines media influence through agenda setting, propaganda, and manipulative techniques used by advertisers and marketers. Furthermore, it highlights the impact of surveillance enabled by media technologies on personal behavior and preferences. Through this comprehensive overview, the presentation aims to shed light on how media shapes collective consciousness and public opinion.
2. ‘Most women are mothers by accident, a few by choice,
a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This
year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of
handicapped children.’
2
3. ‘Finallyhe passes a name to an angel and smiles. Give this one a
handicappedchild. The Angel is curious, Why this one, God? She’s so
happy. Exactly smiles God. Could I give a handicappedchild to a
mother who does not know laughter?That would be cruel.’
3
6. ‘But, has she patience? Asks the Angel. I
don’t want her to have too much patience
or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and
despair. Once the shock and resentment
wears off she’ll handle it.’
6
8. ‘I watched her today. She has that
feeling of self and independence that is
so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I’m going to give her
has his own world. She has to make it
live in her world and that’s not easy.’
8
9. ’She does not know it yet, but she is
to be envied. She will never consider
a step ordinary.’
9
10. ‘I will permit her to see clearly
the things I see…ignorance,
cruelty, prejudice… and allow
her to rise above them. She
will never be alone.’
10
19. Learn more about Cerebral Palsy & Activities:
About Cerebral Palsy - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html
United Cerebral Palsy - http://ucp.org/
Riding for the Handicapped in Western Pennsylvania - http://www.rhwpa.org/
Hidden Valley Disabled Ski Program -
http://www.hiddenvalleyski.com/disabled_program.html
Challenger Baseball - http://www.bcchallenger.org/
Special Olympics - http://specialolympics.org/
Info about Martial Arts: http://fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=6
Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey: http://penguinssledhockey.org/
19
Slide 1 "Most women are mothers by accident, a few by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children." This is an excerpt from a poem written by Erma Bombeck that my mother gave me in 1985, 3 years after I learned I was one of the chosen mothers. How many of you are parents? When you become a parent, everything is new and exciting and you make plans for your child. Sometimes, the plans do not work out the way you expect, & the journey you are on becomes a very different journey. Fellow Toastmasters and guest, today I am going to share my story of raising my differently-abled son.
Slide 2 In Erma Bombeck's Poem, she reflects on how God choose who will be blessed with a handicapped child. "Finally he passes a name to the angel and smiles. Give her a handicapped child. The angel is curious, why this one God? She is so happy. Exactly smiles God, could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel. (Fly in picture) I was just a teenager of nearly 19 years old when my first son Sean was born.
Slide 3 Sean was born premature at 28 weeks and weighed 4 lbs. 5 oz. He went straight from the delivery room to an incubator. He was so tiny, I did not even get to hold him and he had to stay in the hospital. I went and visited two times a day wondering each day when I would get to hold him. The doctors and nurses said the keys to taking him home were 1. Got of the respirator and could breath on his own, 2. He did not need the Bili lights he had for jaundice, and 3. He weighed at least 5 pounds. Each day I went he improved. He eventually got off the respirator and was breathing on his own, no longer needed the Bili lights, and he made it to 5 lbs. After 28 days, I was able to bring him home!
Slide 4 Flash forward 8 months, I went to the doctor and was told Sean was not developing as he should. He had stiffness in his legs. The doctor told me to take him to the Cerebral Palsy clinic for an evaluation. He did not tell me anything about Cerebral Palsy - being so young, I listened and took him to the clinic in Oakland all by myself. I will never forget that day, it would change both of our lives. As I mentioned, I knew nothing about CP, the doctor looked at me and told me your son has a mild case of CP and left the room. I tried real hard to keep it together, but I couldn't, I left the office in tears. I remember going to my mother’s office in Oakland and sobbing while telling her the news, and then I went home put Sean to bed, turned out all the lights cried myself to sleep. My phone was ringing off the hook, but I did not answer it, I needed time to process everything. It was the hardest day of my life.
Slide 5 Erma Bombeck's poem continues 'But has she patience asks the angel. I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of pity and despair. Once the shock wears off, she'll handle it.'
The next day, I woke up & knew I had to face reality & learn all I could about Cerebral Palsy (CP). Cerebral means of the brain, and Palsy means lack of muscle control. CP is a disorder of muscle movement and coordination. It affects people in different ways & can be mild to severe.
Slide 6 There are different types of CP, I am familiar with the type my son has which is Spastic Diplegia - tightness or stiffness of the lower body. His legs were very stiff and would cross when he tried to stand. We had a long road ahead with physical therapy and surgery, but I was ready to tackle this journey with my son. I had a lot of responsibility at a very young age, but fortunately, I got it together and did everything I could to help him while still trying to grow up myself, go to a tech school, and work. It was not easy!
Slide 7 The poem goes on, 'I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother. You see the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not easy.' His father was briefly in the picture, but was abusive and I had to get out of the relationship for the sake of me and my son. I knew I had to get myself together and grow up fast! Luckily my family and friends were very supportive & helped me get on my feet. I met my husband Jerry when Sean was 4 & remember having a moment when I was feeling sad that Sean would not be able to do things other children did, such as ride bike, play baseball, run - things we take for granted. Jerry assured me he would be able to do things, he would just need to do them differently.
Slide 8 The poem continues…'She does not know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never consider a step ordinary.' Things like walking, getting dressed, and even tying shoes, are things many of us take for granted as milestones for our children. These things are challenging for someone with CP & some people with CP may never be able to do these things. Sean's diagnosis was mild and eventually, he did them, it just took a little longer. I remember Jerry always challenging him to walk more, get dressed, and even to tie his shoes. We told him once he could tie his shoes, and walk down the steps we would take him to Kennywood. Finally, he did it-you could see his sense of accomplishment. We took him to Kennywood! After all, he worked hard for that trip.
Slide 9 Another line of the poem states…'I will permit her to see clearly the things I see ignorance, cruelty, prejudice and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone.' I took Sean to therapy on a weekly basis to learn how to stretch his muscles and use walkers, and crutches. We went everywhere together. (Fly in picture) One day, we were walking out of a store and a little girl and her mother were walking out. The little girl was curious when she saw Sean with crutches and said Mommy, why does that boy have crutches?' Her Mom pulled her had and said C'mon honey he's crippled and walked away. That day, we experienced ignorance, cruelty, and prejudice. Going forward, I was like a pit bull protecting my son and trying to educate people about CP. People are cruel - he is a person with feelings. He is a person too! Why do people talk like he has no feelings?! He could hear and understand what they were saying. People can be cruel!
Slide 10 We had may positive experiences too! When Sean was 4 or 5, we learned that horseback riding was good and would help stretch his muscles and relax his legs. My Dad's friend Howard had a farm in Baldwin and he got Sean a pony and Howard kept it at his barn. Now what kid does not want a pony! Sean named his pony Hutzy! I have no idea where that name came from, but that was what he named it. We took him riding on the weekends, and you could see how it relaxed his legs and helped.
Slide 11 I made it my mission to get Sean involved in as many positive experiences I could. Sean played challenger baseball and got to experience being on a team, running bases, and even going to Three Rivers Stadium to meet the Pirates and experience what it was like to be on the ball field!
Slide 12 Sean also got do participate in special Olympics which are adapted for differently abled individuals. He had the opportunity to go skiing at Hidden valley and even ride a bike! I saw a Karate school, I rode past every day, and decided to call the school to see if Sean could take Karate. The owner said let me think about it and I will get back to you. He called the next day and wanted to meet Sean. We went, and he agreed to teach him as long as I did not stay during class.
Slide 13 I remember one day, after class, I came to pick Sean up and Master Fawcett wanted to show me something. He had the students from a line on both sides of the room, and then Sean was in the middle. He said ok show your Mom what you can do. Sean lifted his crutches in the air and held them straight in front of him and he walked down the center with his classmates clapping and cheering him on. I will never forget that moment - I cried. It touched me that the instructor that owned the school put so much effort into making Sean feel part of the class and really including him. I will never forget Master Fawcett, and I hope Sean will not either!
Slide 14 I believe that people are put in our paths for a reason. I worked at a company called KTG where I met Linda. Linda introduced me to someone she did business with who was a Shriner. The Shriners help kids and get them free care. I thought we could see if there was anything else we could do to help manage Sean's CP with a drug called Botox which helps to relax your muscles. Sean tried it, but did not like the way it made him feel. When we were there, we met a nurse who ran a sled hockey program for differently-abled people.
We got Sean involved with sled hockey which is a sport where they sit in a sled and use hockey sticks that are half the size of normal hockey sticks to help them get around on the ice. When the puck comes to them, they have to flip the stick and use the end to shoot the puck into the net.
This too was another great experience for both of us, we got to travel to different places to play sled hockey. We went to Atlantic City for a game where I got to experience my first trip to the Casino, and won $350.00 on the slots after spending $1.75. I quit after I won, except for playing nickel slots with a two dollar roll of nickels and winning another $20.00. That was enough for me, I needed the money to pay for my car which broke down right before the trip. We also got to play in Ontario, Canada and see Niagara Falls along the way.
Everything happens for a reason!
Slide 15 We had some rough times when Sean was a teenager, and he moved to State College and stayed with my Mom. He went to State College High and even got to go to the prom with my friend's daughter Ashlee. He graduated from State College High and did not want to attend graduation. I made him go, and watched him walk to get his diploma - another day that filled me with pride and brought tears to my eyes. He tried going to Edinboro, but that did not work out too well. He went to the culinary institute and graduated and also went to ITT Tech for film. My Aunt Mary helped to find him an apartment so he could live on his own, Today Sean lives on his own and enjoys writing and driving his mother crazy! .
Slide 16 I may not be the most perfect mother, I did my best as one of God's chosen mothers. Although there were many challenges along the way, there were many triumphs. Sean has taught me that with persistence a differently abled person can overcome obstacles, and do some of the same things you and I do, he just does them differently and at a different pace. I see the many frustrations Sean has of having to depend on others, but he is a very strong willed independent young man. I hope our story helps you to think about people with different abilities and know they want to be treated with respect. Put aside ignorance, cruelty, and prejudice, and try to gain knowledge, have compassion, and understanding.
Slide 17 Erma Bombeck's poem ends with 'She will never be alone, I will be by her side every minute of every day because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side. And what about her patron saint asks the Angel, his pen poised in mid- air, God Smiles. A mirror will suffice. Fellow Toastmasters…