I’m asking for your help! WHY?
To quote a famous line… “I have a Dream!”
I want to give back to the disabled community; the families, professionals and all who are involved with this issue, the lessons that I have learned through my own struggles and working with other disabled individuals.
My premise is… Everyone has a disability! A disability is anything that keeps us from doing, or trying, or feeling good about ourselves.
I was born with a disability and throughout my life I have struggled with what it means to be disabled.
Several of the questions I’ve asked myself are:
- How am I the same and how am I different from non-disabled people?
- What would my life be like if I were not disabled?
- Do people like or not like me because I’m different?
- Why do I (disabled individuals) bring out emotions or responses from others?
It’s my belief that all of us struggle with these thoughts and that the issue of disability can be used as a metaphor for all.
To be disabled or not to be disabled?
That is the question!
It’s a choice.
WHAT DO I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?
As I have said… “I have a Dream!” It’s very ambitious.
- Hire disabled individuals for two factories that I am opening in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Produce DOCUMENTARIES on the following:
- The process of hiring and training disabled workers in Mexico.
- Reflective documentaries – these would be about disabled individuals, their families and the community.
- - What does it means to be disabled?
- - What effect do disabled individuals have on others?
- Disability and addictions.
- Disability and aging.
- - Use the issue of disability to help people adjust to their changing bodies as they age.
- Show the differences in how this issue affects those that are disabled from birth, from accidents and war veterans.
- Cultural differences between the U.S. and Mexico in attitudes towards disabled individuals.
WRITING
- First, finish writing a book on my life in Corporate America. The book focuses on the issue of disability in the workplace. Projected completion date… January, 2008.
- Second, finish writing a book that deals with the dichotomies of life based on the issue of disability as a metaphor. Projected completion date… late 2008.
SPEECHES/CONSULTING
- Present motivational speeches.
- Consult with corporations on integrating disabled individuals into the workplace.
Who am I looking for?
- People who have a curiosity, background or interest in the issue of disability.
- People who can ask engaging questions.
WHY? --- I need your help in order to:
- Refine or crystallize the issues, thoughts, feelings, stories and attitudes that I hope to convey, through your feedback and suggestions.
- To increase my level of comfort in talking about these issues in front of others.
- To practice expressing the ideas that I want to convey.
- To broaden my perspective, in the same way I am trying to broaden others.
What are my hopes or expectations?
- That all of us feel as if we have given a part of ourselves and have received from others.
- That we all might have a new perspective regarding the issue of disability;
- - How it affects us,
- - How we react to disabled individuals around us.
- - How we view ourselves.
I believe that it is only through dialogue that we can begin to change in this area.
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