DISABILITY MENTORING DAY (DMD) 2011 - October 19

- By Barbara Davis -

DMD is a wonderful experience, both for those who have never worked, and for those who have worked but are facing a career change due to disability. The two hour mentoring event allows the opportunity to learn about a job, to develop self-esteem, learn new skills and to discover something new about oneself. It is also an opportunity to develop contacts and references in the business world. Some individuals who have participated in DMD have found jobs, either directly or indirectly, as a result of participation in DMD.

On top of all that, it is just plain fun.

Students with disabilities who shadow mentors in a group setting seem to enjoy interacting with the other students. They have a chance to make friends with someone who is interested in the same career and form a bond with someone who isn’t going to say, “You can’t do that,” to them. During the lunch portion they share stories and perspectives, and sometimes phone numbers. They share jokes. Everyone that I have spoken with over the years has had glowing reports of their experiences with DMD. Some have gone on to shadow a mentor a second time, in a different field. This has enabled them to compare two careers that might be of interest in order to determine which career suits best.

Some students may shadow a mentor alone and then compare their experience with others who have also shadowed alone. Either way, the friendships, business contacts and new skills have made for a positive and rewarding experience.

If you would like to know the fun of participating in DMD, call Larry Hosey at 502-589-6620. You can also visit www.calky.org to learn more about DMD.

A Thank You from a Consumer

Dedicated Susan & The entire CFAL Staff...

Heaven must be missing some Angels...
To me that is obviously true...
Each and everyone of you give and re give until the day is through...
Then when the dawn returns again with a need confronting you...
We are greeted with a heart felt voice...
One with reassurance, truth and choice...
Who marches on and takes a stand...
For all who needs a helping hand...
So believe me now my dearest friends as I speak of true...
Heaven must be missing some angels each and everyone of you!!

With all my heart..Sandra L. Monroe

A TEACHER’S WORDS HAVE POWER

- By Barbara Davis -

As students are getting ready to head back to school, I am reminded of a quote I recently read from musician James Durbin. He said, “A teacher once told me I’d never amount to anything.” As a person with multiple disabilities and the mother of two sons with autism, reading that quote made me sad because it brought back a lot of memories of similar teachers for both my sons and me. Fortunately for all of us, we also had some pretty amazing teachers who made a real difference in our lives.

James has Asperger’s Syndrome – a high functioning form of autism – and Tourette’s, which causes facial twitching and other symptoms. Despite this teacher’s remark, he went on to perform in a local theater group, in local rock bands, and ultimately, to audition for American Idol and make it all the way to the top four. He also has a fiancée and a two-year-old son. I’d say he definitely amounted to something.

A teacher’s job is not only to educate, but to guide, mentor, inform and encourage. A good teacher strives to equip a student with the means to reach his or her fullest potential; she (or he) does not tear a student down and put up barriers to success. Thankfully, many students like James go on to use these hurtful words as a challenge, and they are able to accomplish wonderful things in their lives.

Other students, unfortunately, may automatically internalize those hurtful words, especially if heard from more than one teacher. Students with disabilities and other “differences” are vulnerable to being bullied from their peers. This is outrageous enough, but they certainly shouldn’t be bullied by the teachers who are supposed to be guiding and encouraging them.

A teacher often has a lasting impact – positive or negative - on his/her students. Fortunately, good ones outnumber the bad in my experience. If you are a teacher, or are aspiring to be one, I hope you will do whatever you reasonably can to enable your students to reach their fullest potential. If you are a student who has a teacher who belittles and discourages you, I hope you will not let your teacher’s hurtful words keep you from reaching your fullest potential. When you refuse to allow others to discourage you, you become the best person you are capable of being. You also show the teacher and the rest of the world that disabled doesn’t mean unable.

Photo Courtesy of Keith Hosey. All rights reserved.