The Christmas Season on Wheels

I have been off school since December 9, and truthfully I haven't known what to do with myself. I finished Christmas shopping on the 11th, which felt relieving because shopping proves to be more difficult on wheels. It's frustrating because every shopper wants to reach the top item on their list before you do. Luckily, I had decided to go earlier in the morning and hopefully beat the rush; which I did, but in the ends It felt like that was stuck in the worst rush-hour possible. Usually people can mingle within one another when they are shopping, but I often feel like I am the giant elephant in the room that nobody wants to approach and everyone wants to avoid. Even taking the bus can be frustrating because as the Christmas season continues, it seems to get fuller and more cramped. However, I survived and all my Christmas shopping got completed. I consider myself lucky that I have been able to get out as much as I have so far, because usually the winter turns me into a hermit. Typically the snow causes me to become secluded to my house, And if I decide to brave the weather I often get stuck or end up feeling really cold by the end of the day. The weather might be nice right now, but I can't shake the feeling that it will come back to haunt me later. When the weather is not wheelchair friendly, I often play video games or read on my Kindle, but this year I have a new gadget to keep me company when the weather gets rough. I now have an iPad, and I am absolutely in love with it. I love getting new technology because I feel it unites me with my inner robot, being attached to 300 pounds of metal already it is not hard for me to feel like somewhat of a transformer. Now, with the iPad I feel like I have the whole world at the palm of my hands. All I need is to somehow connect it to my chair, and maybe I could become at least half as cool as Stephen Hawking, and maybe one day at least half as smart. I find that it is the Writer's dream, because it has speech to text, Which allows me to produce this blog post in half the time I normally would. Aside from the iPad uniting me with my inner robot, I have enjoyed my break so far because I have had the chance to visit with a few friends, and see The Hobbitt with my dad. It's funny, because when you are busy with school you often forget that you need to do little things to destress yourself, like reconnecting with the people that matter, friends and family. I wish all my readers the happiest of holidays and a happy new year.

Karli

Everybody's got a Story

A year ago on November 8th I started this blog. I started it to get practice writing, and the topics widely varied. They are not always 100% professional, but they highlight my values and concerns, my good days, and bad-- they highlight what makes me! It was fitting that I met Luca Lazylegz Patuelli for the 2nd time on my blog anniversary. He brought his dance crew, and they shared their passion, and the stories that made them. I always find him so inspiring, and I realized that though I do not dance, or train myself vigorously to walk, I experience the same passion for writing. The power that my legs lack, is compensated for in writing. I received many messages today that my blogs were inspiring, and that means more than you will ever know! Upon reflection, I realized that I would not have such stories to share without having met the people I have. So on this blog anniversary, I would like to thank everyone for being apart of my story, and allowing me to be a part of theirs!

Karli

The Lucky One

I remember telling my sister as a kid all the things I would do if Cerebral Palsy was cured. I would run, skip, jump, dance with the boy who said no before, and my biggest wish was to do Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance. I've never thought my life was that bad being glued by gravity to a chair, but sometimes, especially as a kid, it's hard not to imagine what you could or "should" be doing in your life. Even today it's hard not to get frustrated with planning around a limited worker schedule, asking someone else to wait up for you, just so you can enjoy a Friday night and make it to bed by the end of it. When it comes to the point where that's figured out, the "cool" bars are often the least accessible. My least favourite time of year is the Winter, because I essentially turn into a hermit due to the weather.

One time, when my sister and I were repeating the conversation I often fell into when down, she said she hoped I never was cured. At first I was insulted, and I didn't understand why she wanted such a thing for me. She said being cured would change me into someone unrecognizable from who I was, and today it makes more sense than it ever did. Having Cerebral Palsy has made me realize that burnouts, wheelies, and high speed, trump running, skipping, and jumping. The boy who said no, has a much more closed mind than the one who will say yes. The robot is just as cool as "Thriller". I have more brain cells and a heavier wallet than those who go out every weekend. When I do go out, any bar is "cool" as long as I'm among friends. In the winter, I have a deeper appreciation for movies, reading, and baking, and the friends who stop by to join in when they can. After so many years of thinking the able-bodied were lucky, I realize that I am the lucky one…


Karli

Working With What You're Given

This last Monday we talked about freak shows in Disability Studies class.  In the 1920s people who were considered abnormal were showcased for entertainment value.  There was Robert Wadlow, known as the tallest man on earth at 8 feet 11 inches; Chang and Eng Bunker who were male conjoined twins, and Daisy and Violet Hilton, the most famous female conjoined twins.  These people, because society would not accept them into the regular workforce and lifestyles, had no choice but to showcase themselves as freaks to make money.  These people had regular dreams just like you and me, to go to school, to get a job, to get married, and to raise a family.  Unfortunately for some, the world was not accommodating.  When Robert was going to school, the school system refused to make bigger desks; Daisy and Violet were refused marriage licenses, and Eng and Chang were really the only ones who ended up happy in spite of the freak show lifestyle.  They became farmers, and raised 21 children between them.

You would think that freak shows are a thing of the past, but we also learned about a modern day freak show called 999 Eyes.  At first, I wondered why these people would subject themselves to such a horrible concept of the past, but then I realized that they are only working with what they were given.  They come forward and not only showcase their talents (which include singing, dancing, juggling and much more) in spite of having things like dwarfism, amputations, and body deformations.  The only thing they are trying to accomplish, is to pray and to the forefront the disabilities and illnesses that classify them as "freaks".  In their efforts, they educate the audience, and slowly silence the many whispers and stares that come along with the abnormal and unknown.  They take the ammunition that could very well be used against them, and in turn show the world that they are comfortable with themselves and to educate and thwart ignorance.  I ended up relating to them really well, because I hope to thwart ignorance with my writing and the stories I tell. I also found that I have I a knack for comedy, and I can’t wait to add that to my current pile of ammo! Questions always trump ignorance!

 

Karli

The "Problem" That''s Not Going Anywhere

On Monday, we covered Mental Institutions in Disability Studies class. We talked about in the early 1900s and even earlier, there were places where people with disabilities and illnesses people couldn't understand or deal with were slumped together. These places were known as "Asylums for Idiots". The most populated location was in Orillia, and there was even one here in London Ontario. Every parents of disabled or ill children, world be convinced that if they were placed in these asylums, they would be rehabilitated and no longer a problem to society The caretakers would  delegate them into intelligence groups like Idiots, and Insane.  The residents were subjected to religious practices under the pretense that they would result in positive changes.  The government reports would indicate that the conditioners in which the residents were living were top-notch, but they were overpopulated, and the activities that supposedly were part of the "healing" process were producing nothing but blank stares. I realize that in the past people were less educated, and their  intentions were good, but the system was very flawed. My teacher ended the lecture by saying how far we've come, and that those attrocities have ceased to exist... I beg to differ!

They come in a different form! People aee much more educated in illnesses and disabilities than in earlier centuries, but not everybody involved in the fields puts it to good use. I have, for thr most part, a good set of workers. However, there are some that you can instantly tell are in the job for the wrong reasons. The most common being that the job is easy... WRONG! The job is so far from easy, that if you better quit while you'e ahead!  It's unfortunate, because these people usually have good intentions, but then they get  scared by the most essential needs like using the bathroom and taking showers. This often results in uncleanliness and infection, which can lead to worse.Some people take the job forgetting that it is self directed care. No matter how many times you tell them that a task is done one way, they'll do it how they see fit. I know not every helper or caretaker is like that, and top of the hat to those ones; but this is nearly 2013, we live emong society because we are a part of it. We are not an easy job, we are not a problem, and we are NOT going anywhere!


Karli

Lessons Learned & Lessons Taught

It seems like every year, the Education System is jeopardized in one way or another.  The latest decision to halt extracurricular activities leaves me reeling, even as I sit safely (for now) at Western. Extracurricular activities played a big part in my early years of school, and even still in my current school life. Some of my first friends were made at before and after school programs, I remember hoping that my mom was late so I stayed long enough for snack time or homework help. I was too busy enjoying the program to notice that someone had to be up at 5 to have the place open for 7, or stay late until every kid was home. As i look back now I am very thankful. My ALL time favourite activity was the MUSIC program! I took part in choirs and musicals for many years, until highschool (and fear of the boy in band I liked, hearing me sing) killed my will. To this day that is one of my biggest regrets, because I missed the chance to be taught by an amazing woman, Angela Southern. I could tell you that despite not a single moment spent in her music room, the magic she works with music still inspires me today! I believe that   that these experiences should not be threatened, and I salute those who provide them!

Now I’m going to talk of my experiences more generally. I can remember several strikes/ threats of them. The first I recall was in 97, the strike actually did happen. I didn’t mind so much because my teacher WAS actually lazy and not supportive of my disability. After a while though, my mom’s attempts at teaching became rather sad and empty. The second I can remember was grade 8. While everybody was worried about how the pending strike would affect the Wonderland trip, I was worried for my favourite teacher Bill Panopoulos, who had quite seriously earlier that day, given a lecture to the class on how “THE WORLD WILL NOT SPOOOOOOON FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED YOOOOOOUUUUU!” Though I will always laugh at its extra stressed delivery, it’s a lecture I won’t soon forget. I have a SUPER soft spot for EA’s. They make sure kids get all the extra help they NEED! I can tell you I learned more in a 20 minute bathroom break with them than ANY teacher could EVER teach! They were my safety nets, helped me grow, learn, deal with heartbreak, death and loss, saw me laugh, cry, triumph, and fail... So when EA’s strike, it’s a direct blow... When the system is jeopardized, the learning opportunities may seem squashed, but you can never squash the student teacher relationship! I’ll never forget the pride I felt when I gave Dave Semple, the man who sparked my love for English, a black and white still of his prized motorcycle. I went about as red as my hair as he hung it up, and it’s STILL there! I won’t forget Linda Harvey-Rioux who sparked my creativity through technology; or how Judy Carter spent a class and a half trying to help mw grasp poetry and was the first one I went to when I FINALLY got the ramp we needed. I never expected that today, I would be having tea and cookies with my grade 6 teacher, and she would always be there when I needed an ear, or someone to share ideas with. Whatever happens, I hope it is settled soon, and thank you for the lessons I was meant to learn, and those I never expected to...

 

 

Karli

Ain't no Love like King's Love!

I haven't written here in a while, so I guess I better start up again...

School is back in session, and I'm sure I'll have a lot to say in this year.  However, let me use this post to explain the most amazing, yet exhausting week that was Orientation Week.  At first, I was really nervous, because my Sophs made such an impact on me last year; and I wanted to do the same for the incoming frosh.  I had no need to worry though, because I was working with a great team, and I have never seen such a friendly and talented group of frosh.  Though the mornings were early, and the nights were late, I would definitely do it again.  The days were filled with cheering, dancing, chatting., playing games, and eating Nutella, which became my new favorite food spread.  The cheering came loudest from King's, and thanks to my friend Shaidon Woods,, and the energy demonstrated by the Sophs and  frosh alike, King’s was able to take home the Spirit Award. I really enjoyed the whole week, I had 2 all-time favourite moments.  The first was Shinerama Day, because I take charity very seriously, and it was heartwarming to know that so many people were united for a good cause. My second favourite part was the King’s talent showcase. I was able to debut my “sit down” comedy routine, and turn a basic hobby into laughter. What I was most impressed with, was the froshes’ wonderful talents, If the talents and personalities I’ve seen are any indication, I’d say that the future of King’s is bright!

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Karli