Monday, April 30, 2012

Discrimination against people with disabilities

A school counselor of mine shared this article with me:

This is very frustrating. Yeah, there is still discrimination against all kids of people, whether they are black, white, gay, straight, etc. Of course, I can't touch on all of these subjects, but the subject I'd like to talk about is discrimination against people with disabilities.

Discrimination is just wrong. As stated in that article, a group of kids with autism were denied a visit to The Moscow Oceanarium because 'visitors don't want to see the disabled because it disappoints them. It is not acceptable.' And they were suggesting that those kids come on clean-up day, a day where the park would be closed to the public.

It's frustrating to be discriminated against. It makes us feel inferior to others. I know one example of that:

I think this was during my first year of college, but a group from the college, including me and a few friends, went to this place that had an obstacle course, it was like a ropes course where it was supposed to help build teamwork and such. As some of us got some gear to go up there, they pulled one of us aside. He told us we cannot go up and do the course and to come back during the week when there are more staff to help. We couldn't do that! We had class! We were upset! The director of the group then talked to the staff that worked there and we got to go up. I didn't go up because I'm afraid of heights, but my good friend went up, and he was the one they pulled aside. I just followed him around and cheered him on. I saw one of the staff just looking up at him and gaping like he was amazed. I just continued to cheer him on. Another friend of mine did the whole thing, the first and second part of the course, I think she was the only one to do so and boy was she fast! We thought we had lost her! I'm just glad we got the chance to prove to them that we could do it. Thanks again to the director of our group!

Discrimination against people with disabilities is a direct violation of our disability rights. We want to be able to enjoy life the same as others do without others putting us down! They degrade us and dehumanize us! Even if we're able to prove someone wrong, they should not even think to tell us we cannot do something because we are disabled! These human violations are wrong!

If you're being discriminated against, stand up for yourself! Don't let them put you down! If you see someone being discriminated against, fight for them!

Let's get active! Let's get involved! Let's stop the dehumanizing of people with disabilities!

Until next time, God Bless.
~ MissNiChloe

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Teachers bully kids with special needs

This... this is really sickening. School is supposed to be a good, safe place for learning, but this... I was speechless when I saw this.

A 10 year old boy, named Akian was tormented by his teacher and aide while at school. He has Autism, but his father says that his son has always been a sweet, non-violent kid. His father made this video as a reaction to this:

I found this out yesterday and just today, I found out one of the teachers was fired. The other has been said to have been moved to another district, but the father has proof that the teacher still works at the school. The video had since been removed.

Unfortunately, it is only the most recent case of a teacher bullying a student with a disability. This kind of thing is very sickening. I commend Akian's father, and every other parent whose child was victim to this kind of bullying, for speaking up. It's just very disturbing to see this kind of thing happen, especially at a school. Akian's father felt like he wasn't sending his son to school, he says it felt like sending him to prison. If you watch the first video, you'll see how disturbing it is. When I watched the first video, I was shocked, speechless, horrified, I can't explain how I felt. The abuse needs to stop! The bullying needs to stop! Any teacher who would do that needs to have his/her teaching certificate taken away!

Please sign the petition! This needs to stop! It really does!

Until next time, God Bless.
~ MissNiChloe

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Bullying/Cyber-Bullying and Suicide

Everyone knows about the documentary called Bully, right? Here is the link for the movie:

What was not shown was that one of the kids in the documentary. Like this blogger had said on the ASAN blog, I am also disturbed that they overlooked this fact. Here is the link to the blog:

There are many victims to bullying. Whether they are black, white, skinny, fat, gay, disabled, etc... I can't even begin to touch on all these things. But I know how it feels to be a victim of bullying. Did you know that sometimes, it can get so bad, they decide to commit suicide? If you are reading this and you or someone you know plans to do that, get help IMMEDIATELY! I can say I've been down that road. It will get better.

I'd like to share a little of my personal experience:

I am 21 years old. I have a disability and a few other complications, and I have been very skinny all my life. I've been put down, used, and abused. They would call me names like 'retard' 'ugly 'anorexic' and would cuss at me. I was also a victim of cyber-bullying, mainly on Facebook, but it could happen anyplace. Yes, it hurt. Words do hurt. I've tried to commit suicide. Honestly, suicide is never the answer.

Things will get better. You may not think so, but it will. Just take it one day at a time. I'm still on the road to recovery, but I've got some very good friends to lean on. Just know that there is someone who cares.

Bullying really needs to stop. It really hurts. If you are being bullied, don't be afraid to speak up to someone you trust. If anyone sees someone getting bullied, do something, tell someone. And to the bullies, imagine if you were being bullied. Think about it real hard. Think about your insecurities and think about how you would feel if someone was bullying you about your insecurities. Stop the abuse!

Please, if you are even thinking of suicide, get help. There are crisis hotlines and I urge you to use them if there is no one around that you trust.

Remember this, you are not alone! You are never alone!

Until next time, God Bless
~ MissNiChloe

Friday, April 6, 2012

Autism Acceptance Month

I just read a blog entry from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) website, stating that well-meaning strangers should replace awareness with acceptance when spreading awareness. When you think about it, she is right, because in reality, awareness and acceptance have two different meanings. Knowing that I know a few people with Autism, I am quite embarrassed that I had thought Awareness and Acceptance were the same thing. I wanted to apologize for using the word, awareness, and direct you to her blog. I feel she has explained the differences very well. Thank you to the person who wrote the entry.

That said, April 2nd is Autism Acceptance Day. The whole month of April is Autism Acceptance Month. We should change our perspective. Awareness alone is not enough. After we become aware, we should be accepting. Take it from a friend that you know that has a disability, acceptance means way more than awareness does.

Here is a blog entry going more in depth into the subject of Acceptance vs. Awareness.

Google Autism Acceptance Month, it may give you more insight on this.

Until next time, God Bless.
~ MissNiChloe

Monday, April 2, 2012

Autism Awareness Day 2012

Today, April 2nd, is Autism Awareness Day! So, every year, on this day, people are invited to wear a blue shirt, as that is the color for Autism. I did not know this when I woke up and I still put on a blue shirt this morning. You learn something new everyday.

I know a few people with Autism. Sometimes, they can open your eyes and make you see something you had never noticed before. I have a guy friend from high school. We are very good friends and he has Asperger's syndrome. He is also the most positive guy I had ever met. We actually helped each other in high school. Let's just say I used to be very negative in high school. We talk, and he would point out certain things that I've said and he helped me look on the more positive side. I don't know whether he realized that or not, but sometimes, God puts the right people in our lives at the right time, whether we know it or not at the time. Yes, sometimes I still feel down or negative, but now I know to always look for the silver lining.

There is a website called The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) that speaks about Autism. It has news and blogs and more! Here is the link:

Until next time, God Bless!
~ MissNiChloe