Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: meet new friends, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 2 of 2
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: meet new friends in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
While my kids were little, my mom had a medical condition that required her to spend quite a bit of time within a convalescent center. Every week I’d pack up my three little ones and we’d spend the day with Grandma along with other patients within this convalescent setting – visiting, playing games, watching movies [...]
With the ever-widening scope of responsibility for parents and teachers, it’s easy to overlook the unique aspects of teaching proper etiquette in interacting with individuals who have disabilities. But considering that it’s estimated that 54 million Americans are disabled, it’s very important to provide kids with some basic etiquette guidelines as well as an overall [...]
.jpeg?picon=1058)
As a person with a disability, I would like people to be able to see past my disability to the person I am and the experiences that I have had. I think people are afraid to say the wrong thing and as a result, may avoid people who are disabled or judge them unfairly. I try to engage people in discussions about what we have in common, so they see me, not my disability.
Just a few comments from my perspective!
I really don’t like to be called a disabled person. That puts “disabled” first. I think of myself as a person with a disability – person first, disability 2nd.
I think, instead of automatically assuming a person with a disability needs help (if they are able to communicate), ask them if and how you can help them. It can start a conversation, which helps build a connection and understanding.
I know in most situations, I have already figured out what my challenges will be, and know what to ask for! It’s really nice to have someone ask how they can help. It saves me the embarrassment of having to ask or struggle. I really hate calling attention to my disablity.
Another tip for kids – I think kids should not tell friends with disabilities to “hurry up.”
Hi Catherine, thank you for visiting our blog and for sharing your perspective.
I agree many people just do not know what to say or how to respond. A simple smile and a hello sometimes is enough. Validation that says: “I see you” is important to all of us. I have worked and had friendships with others who had visible and “Invisible’ disabilities. Those with disabilities that could not be seen struggled to find the right way to let people know they process information differently. Hopefully Disability Awareness Month presents opportunities to share this kind of information with others. Thanks for your comments!
P.S. 5 of our children’s characters in the series have disabilities.