Hello Everyone.
It has been way to long since I posted on The Tales. I have been facebooking quite a bit of late and has taken me away from my blog. Sorry about that.
I am trying to decide a direction to take the tales....politics, disability issues, Healthcare or all just stuff.......
More to come as soon as I figure out what I want to talk and rant about...
Peace dude
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Erik Sean Nelson should be Fired.....
Here is the article written by Mr. Nelson.
Erik Sean Nelson Article about Sarah Palin and the Retardation Platform
And now....
Erik Sean Nelson's wimpy apology
I read The Huffington Post quite often and if Ms Huffington does not take a stand on this and fire this goof ball right away then I will try my best to become a big headache to their company.
Fire him and make a donation to The Arc of The United States and The National Down Syndrome Society and let's get back to what is important.
This guy's lame excuse was he was trying to be funny......well my old line for years has been....there are a 100,000 comedians out of work and this dumb ass thinks he is funny......
Give me a break.....
Peace Dude.
Erik Sean Nelson Article about Sarah Palin and the Retardation Platform
And now....
Erik Sean Nelson's wimpy apology
I read The Huffington Post quite often and if Ms Huffington does not take a stand on this and fire this goof ball right away then I will try my best to become a big headache to their company.
Fire him and make a donation to The Arc of The United States and The National Down Syndrome Society and let's get back to what is important.
This guy's lame excuse was he was trying to be funny......well my old line for years has been....there are a 100,000 comedians out of work and this dumb ass thinks he is funny......
Give me a break.....
Peace Dude.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The we need $14 million family.
Guess now that they have sent all thier kids to private school they now need $14 million to take care of thier daughter with Down syndrome.....give me a break.
Click here and read page 6
Peace Dude.
Click here and read page 6
Peace Dude.
Sometimes people just need smacked in the head!
Rare prenatal testing case raises ethical questions
by Aimee Green, The Oregonian
Saturday June 13, 2009, 9:45 PM
In the months before their daughter was born in 2007, Deborah and Ariel Levy worried the baby might have Down syndrome.
They say a doctor at the Legacy Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine assured them that a sample of tissue taken from the placenta early in the pregnancy ruled out the developmental disability, despite the results of later testing that showed the fetus might have it.
But within days of the birth of their daughter, the Southwest Portland couple learned the baby did have Down syndrome. Had they known, they say, they would have terminated the pregnancy. Now they're suing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, seeking more than $14 million to cover the costs of raising her and providing education, medical care, and speech and physical therapy for their daughter, who turned 2 this month. The suit also seeks money to cover her life-long living expenses.
READ ENTIRE STORY HERE
I will be very interested in your thoughts on this case folks. I for one think these people and their attorney are a joke.
Peace Dude.
by Aimee Green, The Oregonian
Saturday June 13, 2009, 9:45 PM
In the months before their daughter was born in 2007, Deborah and Ariel Levy worried the baby might have Down syndrome.
They say a doctor at the Legacy Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine assured them that a sample of tissue taken from the placenta early in the pregnancy ruled out the developmental disability, despite the results of later testing that showed the fetus might have it.
But within days of the birth of their daughter, the Southwest Portland couple learned the baby did have Down syndrome. Had they known, they say, they would have terminated the pregnancy. Now they're suing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, seeking more than $14 million to cover the costs of raising her and providing education, medical care, and speech and physical therapy for their daughter, who turned 2 this month. The suit also seeks money to cover her life-long living expenses.
READ ENTIRE STORY HERE
I will be very interested in your thoughts on this case folks. I for one think these people and their attorney are a joke.
Peace Dude.
WoofStock
We headed out yesterday to a fund raiser for the Hamilton County Humane Society called WoofStock. It was held at Deer Creek Amphitheater which I still call it instead of referring to it by it's corporate sponsorship name. WoofStock was a blast and I hope they raised alot of money for the cause.
Nash and Seger sure had a great time.
Peace Dude.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Inclusion.....it does work!
Just had a chance to see a great web site with a kick butt ad campaign. To bad it's from Canada and not from here. Maybe if we could ever get all the national disability organizations on the same page we could come up with a campaign like this here in the US.
Please click on the link below and check out the site. You will like it.
No Excuses
Peace Dude!
Please click on the link below and check out the site. You will like it.
No Excuses
Peace Dude!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I think The Indy Star has been reading this blog!
May 10, 2009
A call to action to improve school performance
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett calls the situation facing Indiana's schools urgent. He has ample reason to be alarmed.
When the state last week issued its annual rankings of public schools, nearly half of them landed either on academic probation or the watch list, the two lowest ratings. Two-thirds of school districts were cited for poor performance.
Many educators bristle at the federal government's rating system, largely pegged to standardized test scores. The state model, they say, better reflects reality. Yet, this year the two ranking systems produced similar results.
Bennett, who took office in January, described the poor ratings as a "call to action,'' not just for teachers and students, but for the entire state.
Yet, educators haven't been exactly sipping coffee in the break room while their students slip out the backdoor. Nor have government, business and community leaders ignored the challenges facing schools across the state.
Taxpayers continue to pour tremendous resources into the educational system -- K-12 education is the largest single recipient of state dollars, and that doesn't take into account all of the federal and local tax money devoted to schools. And the pressure on teachers and students to improve has never been more intense.
Not all of the signs are discouraging. The graduation rate is increasing. More students are attaining at least base-level mastery of key skills.
But much more work remains, and Bennett is right when he insists that the entire state must push for better results.
What needs to change? To start, the adults in charge need to find a way to work together. That means cooling the more heated rhetoric, setting aside tired arguments that go nowhere and placing on hold agendas that don't directly contribute to better student achievement.
Hoosiers also need to re-evaluate their priorities. Sports consume outsized portions of money, time and attention in too many districts. Do high school football players really need to compete on artificial turf in multimillion-dollar stadiums? Are Olympic-size swimming pools necessary at a time when districts are eliminating teaching positions?
It's not that sports don't have a proper place in schools; athletics can contribute to an overall climate of excellence and achievement. But too often the pursuit of glory on the field or court has been allowed to push aside striving for excellence in the classroom.
Bennett and others also will have to battle a culture that historically has not placed enough emphasis on education. For decades, one of Indiana's greatest strengths, its manufacturing base, shielded Hoosiers from a growing reality: Without a solid education, workers are unlikely to earn enough money to sustain families.
As manufacturing has eroded, Indiana has been unable to create enough good jobs to keep wages from declining relative to other states. One result of that trend is that the gulf between well-educated workers and those with fewer skills is broadening. The most realistic way for Hoosiers to start catching up is to significantly deepen the skills of is work force. And that must come through better education, starting in early childhood and continuing through college.
Has progress been made? Yes. Is the current state of education acceptable? Not even close.
Urgency is indeed warranted, not just in every classroom but in every home in every community.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A call to action to improve school performance
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett calls the situation facing Indiana's schools urgent. He has ample reason to be alarmed.
When the state last week issued its annual rankings of public schools, nearly half of them landed either on academic probation or the watch list, the two lowest ratings. Two-thirds of school districts were cited for poor performance.
Many educators bristle at the federal government's rating system, largely pegged to standardized test scores. The state model, they say, better reflects reality. Yet, this year the two ranking systems produced similar results.
Bennett, who took office in January, described the poor ratings as a "call to action,'' not just for teachers and students, but for the entire state.
Yet, educators haven't been exactly sipping coffee in the break room while their students slip out the backdoor. Nor have government, business and community leaders ignored the challenges facing schools across the state.
Taxpayers continue to pour tremendous resources into the educational system -- K-12 education is the largest single recipient of state dollars, and that doesn't take into account all of the federal and local tax money devoted to schools. And the pressure on teachers and students to improve has never been more intense.
Not all of the signs are discouraging. The graduation rate is increasing. More students are attaining at least base-level mastery of key skills.
But much more work remains, and Bennett is right when he insists that the entire state must push for better results.
What needs to change? To start, the adults in charge need to find a way to work together. That means cooling the more heated rhetoric, setting aside tired arguments that go nowhere and placing on hold agendas that don't directly contribute to better student achievement.
Hoosiers also need to re-evaluate their priorities. Sports consume outsized portions of money, time and attention in too many districts. Do high school football players really need to compete on artificial turf in multimillion-dollar stadiums? Are Olympic-size swimming pools necessary at a time when districts are eliminating teaching positions?
It's not that sports don't have a proper place in schools; athletics can contribute to an overall climate of excellence and achievement. But too often the pursuit of glory on the field or court has been allowed to push aside striving for excellence in the classroom.
Bennett and others also will have to battle a culture that historically has not placed enough emphasis on education. For decades, one of Indiana's greatest strengths, its manufacturing base, shielded Hoosiers from a growing reality: Without a solid education, workers are unlikely to earn enough money to sustain families.
As manufacturing has eroded, Indiana has been unable to create enough good jobs to keep wages from declining relative to other states. One result of that trend is that the gulf between well-educated workers and those with fewer skills is broadening. The most realistic way for Hoosiers to start catching up is to significantly deepen the skills of is work force. And that must come through better education, starting in early childhood and continuing through college.
Has progress been made? Yes. Is the current state of education acceptable? Not even close.
Urgency is indeed warranted, not just in every classroom but in every home in every community.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, May 03, 2009
When Pride Still Mattered!
As a kid growing up I lived a pretty good life. I got to spend time with my grandparents who all made good livings that would be hard to accomplish today.
One set of granparents lived in Gary and my Grandfather worked at "The Mill" also know as United States Steel, Gary Works. My grandmother was a stay at home mom. I would visit thier house on 2nd Avenue and never worried about anything. My great grandmother lived around the corner and I could go over there anytime I wanted when I was in town. And sometimes I got to go to Southern IL where by grandfather was from to visit my great grandmother down there and hear stories about my family and the coal mines. You see my grandfather left southern IL when the coal mines slowed down to go to work at "The Mill".
My other granparents lived the American dream in my beloved Deleware County Indiana where the best sweet corn in the world is grown. My grandfather built his house down the road from his parents and he farmed the land with his wife and son's. My Grandmother was also a registered nurse and helped deliver many of her 16 grandkids including me. My grandfather was a tough old man who farmed during the day and worked at the glass factory in town at night. I have no idea when that man slept.
Both set's of grandparents raised thier kids and lived a good life and were able to do many of the things they had wanted and saw both my parents graduate from college. Both my parents have masters degree's and are educators.
As a kid growing up in Yorktown the neighborhood I lived in was nothing fancy but it was nice. It was safe and clean and all the kids had fun. I think back and most of the neighborhood was filled with teachers, small business owners and automobile factory workers. My best friends parents were a GM guy and a registered nurse.
What is my point. I am scratching my head trying to figure our where we have come in the last 25 years and where we are going. And bottom line as I have said before the problem with our country is Wall Street and the goof ball analysts that know nothing about business that have been driving performance based on profit instead of sound business practices.
We can blame it on the politicians, the R's or the D's, they conservatives and the liberals, the unions, the teachers, the universities, the parents, the kids......whatever you want to do......but here is the real problem......it's a lack of visionary leadership.....
All we have are a bunch of followers in government doing what ever the party tells them to do.....I love how they blame it on lobbyistst.....well if that was the case we would get things done instead of gridlock based on party lines....this is true at every level of governement from school board the the white house......
It's time for things to change folks.....or maybe I am missing all the opportunities for the middle class today?
Please enlighten me.....and don't bring sorry stories about our education.....we have the smartest people in the world here and we exclude no one from school so get over yourself on that one. And ISTEP was designed with a 40% failure rate so we are gettng the exact results we asked for......let's talk career centers and options other then college as the college dream is not not affordable.
Peace Dude.
One set of granparents lived in Gary and my Grandfather worked at "The Mill" also know as United States Steel, Gary Works. My grandmother was a stay at home mom. I would visit thier house on 2nd Avenue and never worried about anything. My great grandmother lived around the corner and I could go over there anytime I wanted when I was in town. And sometimes I got to go to Southern IL where by grandfather was from to visit my great grandmother down there and hear stories about my family and the coal mines. You see my grandfather left southern IL when the coal mines slowed down to go to work at "The Mill".
My other granparents lived the American dream in my beloved Deleware County Indiana where the best sweet corn in the world is grown. My grandfather built his house down the road from his parents and he farmed the land with his wife and son's. My Grandmother was also a registered nurse and helped deliver many of her 16 grandkids including me. My grandfather was a tough old man who farmed during the day and worked at the glass factory in town at night. I have no idea when that man slept.
Both set's of grandparents raised thier kids and lived a good life and were able to do many of the things they had wanted and saw both my parents graduate from college. Both my parents have masters degree's and are educators.
As a kid growing up in Yorktown the neighborhood I lived in was nothing fancy but it was nice. It was safe and clean and all the kids had fun. I think back and most of the neighborhood was filled with teachers, small business owners and automobile factory workers. My best friends parents were a GM guy and a registered nurse.
What is my point. I am scratching my head trying to figure our where we have come in the last 25 years and where we are going. And bottom line as I have said before the problem with our country is Wall Street and the goof ball analysts that know nothing about business that have been driving performance based on profit instead of sound business practices.
We can blame it on the politicians, the R's or the D's, they conservatives and the liberals, the unions, the teachers, the universities, the parents, the kids......whatever you want to do......but here is the real problem......it's a lack of visionary leadership.....
All we have are a bunch of followers in government doing what ever the party tells them to do.....I love how they blame it on lobbyistst.....well if that was the case we would get things done instead of gridlock based on party lines....this is true at every level of governement from school board the the white house......
It's time for things to change folks.....or maybe I am missing all the opportunities for the middle class today?
Please enlighten me.....and don't bring sorry stories about our education.....we have the smartest people in the world here and we exclude no one from school so get over yourself on that one. And ISTEP was designed with a 40% failure rate so we are gettng the exact results we asked for......let's talk career centers and options other then college as the college dream is not not affordable.
Peace Dude.
Monday, April 27, 2009
DId you hear that?
Did you hear that sound?
It's the money being taken from your pocket....
Who is taking it?????
The schools are raiding half of the additional funds for IDEA. They say they can't provide inclusion and services needed due to budget constraints.
But when they get the money they use their rule to use the money for other things so they can keep blaming the budget, the state, the feds and their unfunded mandates and oh ya the parents.....but never oh never themselves....
Peace Dude!
It's the money being taken from your pocket....
Who is taking it?????
The schools are raiding half of the additional funds for IDEA. They say they can't provide inclusion and services needed due to budget constraints.
But when they get the money they use their rule to use the money for other things so they can keep blaming the budget, the state, the feds and their unfunded mandates and oh ya the parents.....but never oh never themselves....
Peace Dude!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Beware of the 50% Factor
Schools tell parents they can't get things done in Special Education because of the lack of funding......
Parents push for more funding during IDEA 2004 reauthorization.....
Congress starts talking about increasing funding...
Superintendents Association runs to Congress saying if you send us money too fast we may not be able to spend it and have to send it back......actually they send quite a bit back now.....
Congress adds the MOE 50% rule which says this:
If the IDEA allocation exceeds the previous year IDEA allocation, district MOE may be reduced by up to 50% of the amount of the increase.
Funding does not go up in appropriations....
Candidate Obama promises to fund IDEA....
President Obama includes $13 billion in IDEA funding in stimulus bill....
Superintendents push funds thru CO-OPS......why? The board for the Co-Ops are the Superintendents....not the school boards....
First thing they do is exercise the 50% rule and move half the money over to other school funding......
Then they whine about not passing AYP because of Special Education.....
Isn't that SPECIAL....
Folks call you Superintendents and ask them how they are going to spend the IDEA money from the Stimulus package and then ask them if they are going to use it all for special education or use the MOE 50% rule....
They are allowed by law to do this but THEY DO NOT HAVE TOO......
PEACE DUDE
Parents push for more funding during IDEA 2004 reauthorization.....
Congress starts talking about increasing funding...
Superintendents Association runs to Congress saying if you send us money too fast we may not be able to spend it and have to send it back......actually they send quite a bit back now.....
Congress adds the MOE 50% rule which says this:
If the IDEA allocation exceeds the previous year IDEA allocation, district MOE may be reduced by up to 50% of the amount of the increase.
Funding does not go up in appropriations....
Candidate Obama promises to fund IDEA....
President Obama includes $13 billion in IDEA funding in stimulus bill....
Superintendents push funds thru CO-OPS......why? The board for the Co-Ops are the Superintendents....not the school boards....
First thing they do is exercise the 50% rule and move half the money over to other school funding......
Then they whine about not passing AYP because of Special Education.....
Isn't that SPECIAL....
Folks call you Superintendents and ask them how they are going to spend the IDEA money from the Stimulus package and then ask them if they are going to use it all for special education or use the MOE 50% rule....
They are allowed by law to do this but THEY DO NOT HAVE TOO......
PEACE DUDE
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Think this say's it all!
For more about Captain Tony read here
http://www.capttonyssaloon.com/index.html
Saturday, April 18, 2009
A tax is only a tax when..................
A few years ago and I had the opportunity to talk with my good friend Senator
Well fast forward a few years and you will find my good friend Senator Kenley throwing tax increases all over the place to help out the Colts, The Pacers, The Irsays, The Simons, and the inept operators of the city of Indianapolis.
Senator Kenley I very much accepted your explanation on the tax we proposed to help individuals with disabilities so please help me out why you are supporting a tax increase to assist two of the wealthiest families in Indiana???
For more on the Simon/Pacers side of this issue please read:
Peace Dude
Luke Kenleyabout the idea of a non nutritive beverage tax to fund the waiting list for services for individuals with disabilities. Senator Kenley and I had a very good conversation about this issue and while it would have only raised the cost of a COKE a penny he would not move it forward as the public would not accept a tax increase for this idea.
Well fast forward a few years and you will find my good friend Senator Kenley throwing tax increases all over the place to help out the Colts, The Pacers, The Irsays, The Simons, and the inept operators of the city of Indianapolis.
Senator Kenley I very much accepted your explanation on the tax we proposed to help individuals with disabilities so please help me out why you are supporting a tax increase to assist two of the wealthiest families in Indiana???
For more on the Simon/Pacers side of this issue please read:
The IBJ on Indy/Pacers/Simon and the Money
Peace Dude
Sunday, April 12, 2009
We are Back!
Had a great vacation and am rested and ready to get back at it.
Much to talk about this week.
Peace Dude.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
From The Arc of the United States
President Obama - Meet with our Constituency
3/23/2009
March 23, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc of the United States commends you for your immediate and sincere apology to Special Olympians regarding your comments on “The Tonight Show.” We recognize the deep commitment of your administration to reach out to people with developmental disabilities and the proposals you have advanced for implementation of policies that will improve the lives of our constituency.
However, rather than simply apologizing and putting this incident behind you, we would like to suggest that you seize this opportunity to advance public understanding of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the challenges they and their families face on a daily basis.
As the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc hears from countless families emphasizing that it is only when basic services and supports are in place that people have the luxury and freedom of participating in sports activities and events such as Special Olympics. Much of the sorrow and anger expressed by individuals with disabilities and their families in response to your comment stems from these realities.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities often live lives that are rife with bullying, hate language and relegation to secondary status – all of these emblematic of the shadows of exclusion. They understand that public attitudes, misinformation and negative stereotypes are the biggest obstacle to their inclusion in the community. Join us in breaking down the attitudinal barriers that stand in the way of full inclusion.
We urge you to convene a White House meeting with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents and family members and advocates to discuss some of the following critical issues facing this community:
Ø The 700,000 individuals and their families on Waiting Lists for home and community based services. This also includes elderly parents who are the caregivers for their 50-60 year old offspring with intellectual disabilities and young adults seeking to transition from school to community life;
Ø Recent cases of abuse, brutality, exploitation, and neglect against people with intellectual disabilities that have surfaced in the last few weeks in Iowa and Texas and the fear that similar hidden abuses are occurring elsewhere;
Ø The institutional bias of the Medicaid system and the lack of adequate funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistance, respite care, and the family support necessary for people to live in their communities without costly and unwarranted institutionalization; and
Ø The need to address long term care, services and support as part of the current health care reform initiative.
In addition, instruct the Department of Education to utilize a portion of its discretionary American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds to support school-based initiatives to promote respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Finally, we urge you to use the bully pulpit of your office to catalyze public and legislative support for the Community Choice Act and the CLASS Act, two important pieces of legislation that will help to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
Through these actions you can then shift perception and help alter the pervasive societal attitudes that form the obstacles to people with disabilities “shining” not just within the competitive sports arena but also in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, attending classes at a community college, worshipping within their faith communities, and so much more.
Mr. President, while society has made many strides in advancing the rights and promoting the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are cognizant that much work remains. We look forward to collaborating with you on these important goals that will move us closer to an all inclusive society.
Sincerely,
Peter V. Berns
Executive Director
3/23/2009
March 23, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc of the United States commends you for your immediate and sincere apology to Special Olympians regarding your comments on “The Tonight Show.” We recognize the deep commitment of your administration to reach out to people with developmental disabilities and the proposals you have advanced for implementation of policies that will improve the lives of our constituency.
However, rather than simply apologizing and putting this incident behind you, we would like to suggest that you seize this opportunity to advance public understanding of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the challenges they and their families face on a daily basis.
As the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, The Arc hears from countless families emphasizing that it is only when basic services and supports are in place that people have the luxury and freedom of participating in sports activities and events such as Special Olympics. Much of the sorrow and anger expressed by individuals with disabilities and their families in response to your comment stems from these realities.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities often live lives that are rife with bullying, hate language and relegation to secondary status – all of these emblematic of the shadows of exclusion. They understand that public attitudes, misinformation and negative stereotypes are the biggest obstacle to their inclusion in the community. Join us in breaking down the attitudinal barriers that stand in the way of full inclusion.
We urge you to convene a White House meeting with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents and family members and advocates to discuss some of the following critical issues facing this community:
Ø The 700,000 individuals and their families on Waiting Lists for home and community based services. This also includes elderly parents who are the caregivers for their 50-60 year old offspring with intellectual disabilities and young adults seeking to transition from school to community life;
Ø Recent cases of abuse, brutality, exploitation, and neglect against people with intellectual disabilities that have surfaced in the last few weeks in Iowa and Texas and the fear that similar hidden abuses are occurring elsewhere;
Ø The institutional bias of the Medicaid system and the lack of adequate funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistance, respite care, and the family support necessary for people to live in their communities without costly and unwarranted institutionalization; and
Ø The need to address long term care, services and support as part of the current health care reform initiative.
In addition, instruct the Department of Education to utilize a portion of its discretionary American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds to support school-based initiatives to promote respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Finally, we urge you to use the bully pulpit of your office to catalyze public and legislative support for the Community Choice Act and the CLASS Act, two important pieces of legislation that will help to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
Through these actions you can then shift perception and help alter the pervasive societal attitudes that form the obstacles to people with disabilities “shining” not just within the competitive sports arena but also in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, attending classes at a community college, worshipping within their faith communities, and so much more.
Mr. President, while society has made many strides in advancing the rights and promoting the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are cognizant that much work remains. We look forward to collaborating with you on these important goals that will move us closer to an all inclusive society.
Sincerely,
Peter V. Berns
Executive Director
Saturday, March 21, 2009
In Honor of World Down Syndrome Day!
A blast from the past....look at my little guy then. Wow how time fly's. Oh ya that roadking would fly too.....
My Buddy Ray!
What DADS Has Done For Me
Posted by Ray Glowner on Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009
What DADS has done for me as a person and a father can not be described in a paragraph or two. I could write an entire book on how DADS has changed my life. One day I may, but for now, I will give some high points of my time as a DADS member, and of the time, that for me, set my journey as a member of DADS in motion.
Several years ago around 2004, when DADS was growing and we needed some direction, James May, Director of The Fathers Network in Washington St. came to Indianapolis to help us, as a group, get better organized. We held a brain-storming session with maybe 10 guys. We were talking about what we needed as fathers and how we can expand to help other fathers of children with Down syndrome. We were getting great information and making progress.
After a while, we were talking about how we were informed of our child’s condition and our response to the news. Some of the guys told their stories and I finally told mine. I haven’t told anyone of my experience for six years, and on that day, in a meeting with ten other men that I barely knew, I told of when I went outside at the hospital the night after Katie was born, at 1 in the morning in February and cussed God for ten minutes, screaming at him and asking: “Why? You are supposed to be a kind and compassionate God, but now you put this hardship on Stef? WHY?”
After I told about my experience, I had tears in my eyes and the other guys did also. I was embarrassed and told the guys that “if you want to have this kind of support group where we pity each other, I want nothing to do with it.” Those weren’t my exact words, but this is a family letter. I got up, stormed from the room and left. Some of the guys found me and convinced me that this group we are involved in will not be that way. I came back into the meeting and I have never looked back.
I have been with the DADS for roughly eight years, and I have overcome my anti-social ways. I didn’t like being around people, or being “out of my comfort zone”, which meant staying around the house and talking to my two or three friends I had at the time. I became the Social DAD and was responsible for setting up social activities for the kids and ourselves. Isn’t it ironic that I was somewhat anti-social, and became Social Chair? I enjoyed setting up and organizing events. I reckon it is a form of therapy. I have helped with our Buddy Walk and I even volunteered to Chair it one time. I was asked to be Interim DADS President and I ENJOY doing the things I do for and with DADS.
I told one of the guys awhile back about the friendships that have formed within DADS. I work with 150 people, and I may have four “friends” there. I get along with everyone, but I will not confide in them the things that go on in my life. Thre are only a couple of people I can do that with.
With the DADS group, I have made countless friends. These are guys I hang out with: go to a race or a football game. Go fishing with and have a drink or dinner with. These guys are my friends in every sense of the word. They have been there for me on countless occasions, whether I was using them as a “sounding board” for a problem, or to get me out and relax. Or they call just to say “Hey”.
I owe my well being to these guys, because if it weren’t for DADS, I cringe at where and what I would be now. I want to spread the mission of DADS, because if they could help me, I know that they (we) can help anyone
Awesome story Dude!
Posted by Ray Glowner on Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009
What DADS has done for me as a person and a father can not be described in a paragraph or two. I could write an entire book on how DADS has changed my life. One day I may, but for now, I will give some high points of my time as a DADS member, and of the time, that for me, set my journey as a member of DADS in motion.
Several years ago around 2004, when DADS was growing and we needed some direction, James May, Director of The Fathers Network in Washington St. came to Indianapolis to help us, as a group, get better organized. We held a brain-storming session with maybe 10 guys. We were talking about what we needed as fathers and how we can expand to help other fathers of children with Down syndrome. We were getting great information and making progress.
After a while, we were talking about how we were informed of our child’s condition and our response to the news. Some of the guys told their stories and I finally told mine. I haven’t told anyone of my experience for six years, and on that day, in a meeting with ten other men that I barely knew, I told of when I went outside at the hospital the night after Katie was born, at 1 in the morning in February and cussed God for ten minutes, screaming at him and asking: “Why? You are supposed to be a kind and compassionate God, but now you put this hardship on Stef? WHY?”
After I told about my experience, I had tears in my eyes and the other guys did also. I was embarrassed and told the guys that “if you want to have this kind of support group where we pity each other, I want nothing to do with it.” Those weren’t my exact words, but this is a family letter. I got up, stormed from the room and left. Some of the guys found me and convinced me that this group we are involved in will not be that way. I came back into the meeting and I have never looked back.
I have been with the DADS for roughly eight years, and I have overcome my anti-social ways. I didn’t like being around people, or being “out of my comfort zone”, which meant staying around the house and talking to my two or three friends I had at the time. I became the Social DAD and was responsible for setting up social activities for the kids and ourselves. Isn’t it ironic that I was somewhat anti-social, and became Social Chair? I enjoyed setting up and organizing events. I reckon it is a form of therapy. I have helped with our Buddy Walk and I even volunteered to Chair it one time. I was asked to be Interim DADS President and I ENJOY doing the things I do for and with DADS.
I told one of the guys awhile back about the friendships that have formed within DADS. I work with 150 people, and I may have four “friends” there. I get along with everyone, but I will not confide in them the things that go on in my life. Thre are only a couple of people I can do that with.
With the DADS group, I have made countless friends. These are guys I hang out with: go to a race or a football game. Go fishing with and have a drink or dinner with. These guys are my friends in every sense of the word. They have been there for me on countless occasions, whether I was using them as a “sounding board” for a problem, or to get me out and relax. Or they call just to say “Hey”.
I owe my well being to these guys, because if it weren’t for DADS, I cringe at where and what I would be now. I want to spread the mission of DADS, because if they could help me, I know that they (we) can help anyone
Awesome story Dude!
Spread the Word to End the Word!
It is time to “Spread the Word to End the Word” and on 31 March 2009 Special Olympics is calling for a national day of awareness for America to stop and think about their use of the R-word. That R-word is not “recession,” but something more hurtful and painful – “retard.”
Wear the Spread the Word T-shirt and show your support! Click on the logo above to order yours today.
Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.
Spread the Word to End the Word will raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. America will be asked to declare their support for more respectful and inclusive language, specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.
Created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity.
On 31 March, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges on www.r-word.org from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word. Actor and activist John C. McGinley, of the hit show “Scrubs,” is helping with this effort by making national media appearances on behalf of the campaign. On 2 March 2009, he appeared on "The Bonnie Hunt Show."
Send us your plans to Spread the Word at r-word@specialolympics.org. After 31 March, let us know how your Spread the Word event went. Send a report, photos and videos to r-word@specialolympics.org.
Wear the Spread the Word T-shirt and show your support! Click on the logo above to order yours today.
Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.
Spread the Word to End the Word will raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. America will be asked to declare their support for more respectful and inclusive language, specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.
Created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity.
On 31 March, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges on www.r-word.org from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word. Actor and activist John C. McGinley, of the hit show “Scrubs,” is helping with this effort by making national media appearances on behalf of the campaign. On 2 March 2009, he appeared on "The Bonnie Hunt Show."
Send us your plans to Spread the Word at r-word@specialolympics.org. After 31 March, let us know how your Spread the Word event went. Send a report, photos and videos to r-word@specialolympics.org.
Update about Big Dawg Tales
Hello Gang:
A quick update on my blog. While I will continue to write about what ever the heck I feel like, I am going back to the roots of the blog. I started this blog to talk about Nash, life, Down syndrome, Disability issues, and advocacy.
I really got sidetracked into politics as a whole, local, state and national. I have come to the conclusion that I can't fix all the issues that are out there and so many of the activists are kinda scary. So with that said you may notice I have removed a few blog links and added some others. Nothing wrong with the folks I have removed they are good people. But I am going to go back to only working on the issues of the greatest importance to me........Down syndrome, DADS, Education, Employment, Disability rights and all things NASH!
Peace Dude!
A quick update on my blog. While I will continue to write about what ever the heck I feel like, I am going back to the roots of the blog. I started this blog to talk about Nash, life, Down syndrome, Disability issues, and advocacy.
I really got sidetracked into politics as a whole, local, state and national. I have come to the conclusion that I can't fix all the issues that are out there and so many of the activists are kinda scary. So with that said you may notice I have removed a few blog links and added some others. Nothing wrong with the folks I have removed they are good people. But I am going to go back to only working on the issues of the greatest importance to me........Down syndrome, DADS, Education, Employment, Disability rights and all things NASH!
Peace Dude!
World Down Syndrome Day
On March 21st, 2009, World Down Syndrome Day will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Professor Jerome Lejeune's discovery of the extra copy of chromosome 21 which causes Down Syndrome.
Now known as trisomy-21 because of the third copy of the 21st chromosome, Down Syndrome was first described by the English doctor, John Langdon Down, in 1866 but until Professor Lejeune's publication in 1959, the ultimate cause of Down Syndrome was unknown.
Professor Lejeune and Dr Langdon Down are regarded as the preeminent contributors to our present understanding of Down Syndrome, not only because of their research into Down Syndrome, but also because each of them contributed much of their own time and money to advocating on behalf of persons with Down Syndrome and their families.
Down Syndrome organisations around the world this year will pay tribute to the pioneering work of Professor Lejeune and celebrate the tremendous advances in the care and social welfare of people with Down Syndrome over the past fifty years.
"Professor Lejeune provided inspiration to parents and professionals who met him, and drew strength and hope from his optimism and his simple and profound dedication to humanity. The Lejeune Institute inParis continues to sponsor research in this area” said Mrs. Penny Robertson, President of Down Syndrome International. “But while there is much to be proud of in western countries in the services provided for people and families with Down syndrome, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in many countries".
For more information about Down Syndrome International,
please visit www.ds-int.org
For more information about World Down Syndrome Day,
please visit www.worlddownsyndromeday.org
For more information about the next World Down Syndrome Congress,
please visit www.wdsc2009.com
Peace Dude!
The Arc of The United States!
The Arc says people with disabilities are bowled over by President's comment
3/20/2009
March 20, 2009
THE ARC CALLS ON PRES. OBAMA TO MEET WITH
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Silver Spring, MD – On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we are deeply dismayed and indeed surprised by President Barack Obama’s unfortunate statement during his appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.
Throughout his campaign, during the transition and in the early months of the new Administration, the President has reached out to the disability community and demonstrated a deep commitment to the issues impacting people with disabilities and their families. When he appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy last month, the appointment was heralded by the Administration as “our first step to ensure that we have a strong advocate for people with disabilities at the highest levels of our Administration.” The President has also articulated a comprehensive policy agenda that is of critical importance to people with disabilities. http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/disabilities/
The President’s offhanded remark has stirred sorrow and even anger from our constituents. Statements such as these reflect pervasive societal attitudes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities somehow don’t measure up – that their lives are of less worth. The biggest obstacle to including people with disabilities in community life is public attitudes.
The President may have been talking about bowling but this is not really about sports. Presidential spokesperson, Bill Burton’s, explanation that Special Olympics “gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities,” clearly misses the mark. People with disabilities want the opportunity to “shine” among colleagues in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, in the continuing education class at a community college, in their faith communities and everywhere else. They particularly dislike and are deeply offended by remarks such as that stated by the President.
Full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is the only way we will collectively shift our attitudinal barriers that prevent people from realizing their full potential as contributing members of the community.
Inviting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the White House for photo ops of bowling and basketball is not a solution. Instead, The Arc of the U.S. calls on President Obama to convene a meeting of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents and siblings, and those who support them to discuss the critical issues facing this community, such as:
700,000 individuals and families on waiting lists for home and community based services,
recent cases of abuse and brutality against people with disabilities in Iowa and Texas,
lack of funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistants, respite and family support that are needed to enable people to live in their communities and avoid costly and unwarranted institutions,
The ball is now in the President’s court. We await a meaningful response.
Enough Said.......
Peace Dude!
3/20/2009
March 20, 2009
THE ARC CALLS ON PRES. OBAMA TO MEET WITH
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Silver Spring, MD – On behalf of the over four million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we are deeply dismayed and indeed surprised by President Barack Obama’s unfortunate statement during his appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.
Throughout his campaign, during the transition and in the early months of the new Administration, the President has reached out to the disability community and demonstrated a deep commitment to the issues impacting people with disabilities and their families. When he appointed a Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy last month, the appointment was heralded by the Administration as “our first step to ensure that we have a strong advocate for people with disabilities at the highest levels of our Administration.” The President has also articulated a comprehensive policy agenda that is of critical importance to people with disabilities. http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/disabilities/
The President’s offhanded remark has stirred sorrow and even anger from our constituents. Statements such as these reflect pervasive societal attitudes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities somehow don’t measure up – that their lives are of less worth. The biggest obstacle to including people with disabilities in community life is public attitudes.
The President may have been talking about bowling but this is not really about sports. Presidential spokesperson, Bill Burton’s, explanation that Special Olympics “gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities,” clearly misses the mark. People with disabilities want the opportunity to “shine” among colleagues in the workplace, in their own homes and apartments, in the continuing education class at a community college, in their faith communities and everywhere else. They particularly dislike and are deeply offended by remarks such as that stated by the President.
Full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is the only way we will collectively shift our attitudinal barriers that prevent people from realizing their full potential as contributing members of the community.
Inviting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the White House for photo ops of bowling and basketball is not a solution. Instead, The Arc of the U.S. calls on President Obama to convene a meeting of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents and siblings, and those who support them to discuss the critical issues facing this community, such as:
700,000 individuals and families on waiting lists for home and community based services,
recent cases of abuse and brutality against people with disabilities in Iowa and Texas,
lack of funding for supported housing, supported employment, personal assistants, respite and family support that are needed to enable people to live in their communities and avoid costly and unwarranted institutions,
The ball is now in the President’s court. We await a meaningful response.
Enough Said.......
Peace Dude!
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