Don’t Rush To Christmas

I am very happy to be able to offer our lovely readers a blog post from Rich Fabend, who's words have been very much missed over this time. As always, Rich is offering some of the most amazing stories and has shared them with our avid readers. I really enjoyed his piece below, it seems perfect for the time of the year and is really quite an amazing read! Please enjoy!

 

Rich Fabend

Before sending this blog to DisCo I went to Wikipedia and looked up holidays in Australia. I was quite surprised to find out there was no holiday similar to Thanksgiving which is celebrated in the United States as well as Canada. In the States Thanksgiving is celebrated on the third Thursday in November while in Canada it's celebrated on October 12. This could just be a lack of knowledge on my part and I think what I've written here can be appreciated by anyone without it having to be a special day.

Before Halloween my wife informed me that stores were already beginning to display Christmas items. We have yet to celebrate Thanksgiving and the majority of the advertisements on television are related to Christmas. I believe retailers are rushing us to Christmas to increase their chances to make a profit. I feel very strongly that the Thanksgiving holiday gives us an opportunity to realise how fortunate we really are. I tell people from the minute I had struck the bottom underwater I am one of the luckiest people in the world.

Travis Roy has said "There are times in our lives when we choose our challenges and other times when challenges simply choose us. It is what we do in the face of those challenges that defines who we are, and more importantly, who we can and will become." Years ago a psychiatrist asked me to identify as many positive things, as I could, that resulted from my accident. After a great deal of thought the only thing I could come up with was that I had met some wonderful people. As I think about the question today I realised that there are many things that I really do have to be thankful for. I have been given a second chance at life. (I had no pulse when I was brought on the beach). Marge, my wife of 46 years, and family have stood by me every step of the way. Everyday Marge goes out of her way to help me enjoy quality of life. My nurses are always willing to go the extra mile. I have many friends who give their time to help me do the activities I love. I have surprisingly good health. I have learned more about human nature and the power that exists within the human mind. I have wonderful memories that I am able to revisit. I have been able to continue being an educator and, I hope, help others to deal with the challenges they face. The kindness that is in others has become very evident to me. When we watch the news we often are led to believe that there is much evil in society in general but I know that is not true. Finally, even though I am in a chair I have much freedom and opportunity. So, don’t allow yourself to be rushed to Christmas without stopping to realise what you have to be thankful for.

Author Maryanne Harrison

I am very lucky to get some fantastic people writing on this blog, sharing some amazing stories and making a difference in the lives and hearts of others, simply by touching them. I came across the amazing Maryanne Harrison when I was lucky enough to fall on her amazing and inspirational books that she is developing to educate children on accepting difference. Her Ted Books are truly a marvellous invention that really assist parents, teachers, carers and family members to teach children about the fact that on the inside we are all the same! Enjoy her blog post.

Maryanne Harrison

I am a children’s book author and advocate for people with disabilities. When I was three years old I lost most of my hearing after contracting measles, and then mumps, within a few weeks of each other. The doctors told my parents that I would need to be institutionalised but my parents refused, and sent me to Blackburn Primary and Blackburn High School.



It was when I was in my mid forties that the hearing in my right ear starting deteriorating further and my hearing aid was not working for me, so in September 2009 I received a cochlear implant. It was while I was recovering from my operation that I decided to put together a children’s book to try and teach, not only children, but parents on the importance of respecting differences. I had been working with primary school children on a disability awareness program and this also helped to inspire me to write the book.


People who experience hearing loss may also be unable to work and socialise therefore suffering from isolation and even depression. There are around 15,000 middle aged Australians who would benefit from a cochlear implant. This would mean that they could continue working if they so wished, socialise and travel. Having a cochlear implant will take a hearing impaired person from being extremely deaf to just having a minor hearing loss.


As a mother, author and a person who grew up with the challenges of a hearing disability, I understand how critical it is to educate and inspire children from an early age to accept and appreciate all people no matter how ‘different’ they may be; in fact differences are good!


Children generally do not notice when someone has a disability, it is only when someone else, usually a grownup, points it out to them. If my book can teach children and their parents to realise that being different is OK then I have achieved my goal. Everyone is different in some way, we all need to respect this and accept it. In order to build an inclusive community we need to be open to everyone living in our communities. This means not just in the accessibility of our communities but also in the way we welcome everyone into our communities. It is not accessibility that isolates the disabled; it is people’s attitudes. This is what I would like to see taught through my book. If we can change the way children think about the disabled then they will accept this is the way of the future and respect people who may be different in some way.


If teachers can use the book in the classroom to teach children about respect then they are also doing their bit to help educate future generations. Anyone can do what I have done; just put yourself in the shoes of someone who may be in a wheelchair, blind or deaf. Try to imagine what it would be like. Try wearing a blind fold, ear plugs or use a wheelchair to get around. You will soon develop a respect you would never have thought possible for people who live like this every day of their lives. Try getting your students to do any one of these things so that they can also see how hard it is.


My husband, Lindsay, and I are parents of three well adjusted children. (Tommy 17, Annalise 15 and Charlee 10). Lindsay has been behind me every step of the way encouraging and guiding me. His belief in me has been the main reason for me to have arrived at this point with the book – I would not have been able to achieve what I have so far without him. My family have been my strength, and I would most certainly not be where I am today – a published author – without their love and support.


A very good friend and mentor, Derek Barker from Barker & Barker Media in Melbourne, put me onto IDEAS. It is a fabulous link to information for anyone looking for resources to make life easier for the disabled.


At the moment I am concentrating on getting TED’s book out into the community. I have set up my own business from home (Ted Books www.tedbooks.com) and I am working hard on marketing and advertising the book in whatever way I can. I feel that I have been given a voice; the disabled do not need others to speak for them, we can speak for ourselves.

A Little Unconventional

Hello all my lovely followers.

I am taking a step towards being a tad on the unconventional side today with a posting that does make mention of IDEAS NSW. Bear with me! The posting is about an up-and-coming event which amazingly tentalises all the senses, allowing people with hearing impairment to be able experience the thrills and excitement of a musical event. Once informed of the premier of the event in Sydney 2010 - that's right, it's a once in a lifetime event that shows nationally but is making it's special way to Sydney - IDEAS pounced on the chance to be a sponsor. So how are we sponsoring the event!!?!? We are giving away 10 FREE VIP DOUBLE PASSES to the event to make sure that you don't miss out. Read the below to find out how to get the passes and to discover more about the event.

TEN DOUBLE VIP PASSES TO BE WON FOR AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER OF SENCITY

Ideas NSW announces their competition for the hottest inclusive night club event in New South Wales, happening on the 27th August at Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour.


SenCity is a multi-sensory, multi-faceted, special event for people who are hearing impaired and deaf and with any other ability or disability.
 During this spectacular event the emotions and passions of music are converted to all
senses.

Special techniques employed at this event include an imported vibrating dance floor, so that people can really feel the music. The vibrating dance sensors are attached to the amplifiers so that the entire dance floor responds to the frequency of the music. Sign singers interpret lyrics.

Visual Jockeys Food Jockeys and Aroma Jockeys are on hand to provide aroma
compositions to interpret music for other senses.
 The chill space has side performances to engage other senses like hairdressers, makeup
artists and masseurs.
 To be part of the 1000 (over 18yrs) people attending this one-night-only experience you can win tickets sponsored by Ideas NSW by:
 1. Registering your email at http://sencitywin.wordpress.com/ so that we can keep you updated on the event and announce the winners. This website will be your access to insight into the spectacular event.


2. Provide one of two entry options:


(a) Submit a video of an original dance off which incorporates the IDEAS SMS number which is 0458 296 602, interpreted however you would like. Your entry must then be uploaded to SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/sencitywin.


(b) Submit an original still photo shot of yourself displaying the IDEAS SMS number which is 0458 296 602, at the most creative spot that you can think of. Your entry must then be
uploaded to SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/sencitywin.

To upload images/video simply go to the write a comment area at the top of the SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage site and click on the photo/video link, browse for your photo/video and click share. All entries must be uploaded before the end of the promotion period. The promotion will end at 5.00pm (AEST) on the 20th of August 2010.
 There a five double passes for each category. Please make sure you read the terms and

conditions available at http://sencitywin.wordpress.com/ before you enter. For more
information call IDEAS NSW on 1800 029 904 or email prmedia@ideas.org.au.
 

Paula Apodaca - The Day I Drowned at Tin Can Beach

Hi everyone,

As you all know I have been lucky enough to have the wonderful Paula Apodaca writing for this blog, despite the fact that she has her own blog. Today I would like to share with you one of her wonderful successes. Her words and story has been entered on to the site/journal 'Breath & Shadow - A Journal of Disability Culture and Literature Spring 2010, Volume 7, Number 2. Not only do I commend her for her amazing job, I also want to help others to realise the fine ability she has to demonstrate and reveal the truth of disability, her experiences and the changes it has on ones life. I would like to suggest that you all check it out, it really is quite a marvellous achievement for her and I feel very lucky that we have her as a guest blogger on this site. Check out her story titled 'The Day I Drowned at Tin Can Beach'.

Thanks,

Alyssa

Guest Posting from Alison Richardson

After contacting the Coordinator of the First Flight Crew I have come back with a prompt response from Ms Alison Richardson herself!!! Not only did she offer a bit of information about the fantastic group, but she also offered some wonderful pictures to be put on my blog. Special mention to the verse offered by Ana Nguyen at the end of the post. I highly recommend you check them our yourselves!

Alison Richardson

First Flight Crew are an eight piece hip hop outfit from Sydney managed Accessible Arts’ Creative Program Coordinator for Western Sydney, Alison Richardson. “First Flight Crew is about reaching new audiences outside of the disability sector & bringing to them an explosion of beat boxing, rap, dance & projections exposing the talent an spunk of this unique group” says Alison.

The crew are taught by legendary Aussie hip hop artist, Morganics & sprung out of their strong desire to dance, create original music, rap and beat box. The crew was formed in late 2008 & have performed from Bondi to Blacktown including Sydney’s largest Hip Hop festival, Platform 3 at CarriageWorks, Hip Hop projections 5 at Parramatta Riverside & as part of Powerhouse Museum’s recent 80s exhibition.

First Flight Crew member, Ana Nguyen says of being in the crew, “We want tell stories & we want to give the voiceless a chance to say so. We want to do something that will stand out from the crowd. We want to give the crowd the best impression as possible.”

For more information on the First Flight Crew contact Alison on arichardson@aarts.net.au or call 9251 6499 (ext112) or check out the Facebook site or website.

More from Ana:

I hope that this is a way to educate others in some way

And this proves that we can do anything.

We'll break the rules and the stereotypes...

And by being part of the First Flight Crew,

I'm going to prove the critics wrong

That yes, we can do anything.

This is the record of the truth, I can tell you to be honest.

We want tell stories & we want to give the voiceless a chance to say so.

We want to do something that will stand out from the crowd.

We want to give the crowd the best impression as possible.

That’s what I want.

What a great sneak peak : )