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What's New from Kathie?

BREAKING NEWS: We just learned that our son, Benjamin, is the recipient of a scholarship award: his essay on the importance of healthcare reform was the winner—we're so proud and happy! Learn more at www.1800wheelchair.com/pages/scholarship-winter-2009.aspx. We're grateful to the 1800wheelchair website for offering this scholarship opportunity!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope 2010 is a year of positive change in all our lives, and I especially hope we can generate significant change so that children and adults with disabilities are living the lives of their dreams! I believe many of the articles on our site, including the Newsletter articles, can be helpful in moving us in a new direction. To sign up for the free Newsletter, click here.

I am dismayed, however, that in some areas, we seem to be going backwards...especially in the area of "special programs" which represent continued segregation/exclusion of people with disabilities. We're seeing explosive growth of "special ed/lifeskills" programs on college campuses, even while many of us are trying to end segregation in public school classrooms. Some parents are starting charter school classrooms for their children with disabilities (more segregation). And the latest is a "theme park" just for children and adults with disabilities! What if someone launched a theme park for a particular ethnic or religious group? It wouldn't get off the ground! But, somehow, one for people with disabilities is okay. I don't get it!

In the coming weeks and months, I'll be presenting in Missouri, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Virginia, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Click here for more info about my presentations.

I hope the new ways of thinking in all the articles on this site are helpful to you! Please let me know what issues you think need more attention; click here to contact me.

1/18/10

 

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New Ways of Thinking

Learn More About:

—People First Language
Inclusive Education
Redefining Disability
Strategies for Success
Children/Family Issues
Kathie Snow's Presentations
Disability is Natural Online Store

Yes, Disability is Natural—but what do apples have to do with disability?

One of the five apples is green. One American in five has a disability, making people with disabilities the largest minority group, and it's the only group that anyone can join at any time: at birth or through an accident, illness, or the aging process.

A green apple is more like red apples than different; a person with a disability is more like people without disabilities than different.

The U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act states, "Disability is a natural part of the human experience..."
This is your source for Kathie Snow's life-changing articles and products that can generate positive change. Visit the different "Explore" sections where you'll find a variety of thought-provoking, informative articles all about new ways of thinking! Check out Kathie's book—Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities—it's changing the lives of children and their families. You'll also find the Disability is Natural DVD and the other unique products in the Disability is Natural Online Store.

People First Language

People First Language (PFL) represents more respectful, accurate ways of communicating. People with disabilities are not their diagnoses or disabilities; they are people, first.

PFL is not about "political correctness," it's about good manners and "the golden rule."

"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you," is a very harmful myth. Words do matter! They can raise or lower expectations; hurt or help; crush hopes or create dreams; and so much more.

When we adopt new ways of thinking and talking about people with disabilities, we'll not only exert a positive influence on their lives, but on our society as a whole. We've seen the power of language on other groups; we've made changes and no longer use ethnic slurs and other harmful descriptors.

Now it's time to extend that courtesy to the boys, girls, men, and women in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities who happen to have disabilities.

Click here to go to the Language-Communication section to see a variety of People First Language articles by Kathie Snow. Isn't it time for more respectful and accurate language for all?

Welcome!

Isn't it time for some common sense, new ways of thinking, and good news about disability issues? You'll find it all here!

Let's get beyond all the doom-and-gloom that is often the norm regarding disability. My son, Benjamin, and others with disabilities are Real People who can and should live Real Lives, included in every aspect of their communities, and living the lives of their dreams! It's happening in our family, and in many other families, too.

The articles on this website can help you move beyond the status quo, whether you're a person with a disability, a family member, or you work in the field. Check out all the innovative articles in the EXPLORE sections. You can download articles and make copies to share as a handout. For other uses of any material on this site, please see the Terms of Use.

To sign up for the Free Newsletter, please click here. To view archived newsletters, please click here.

If you use a screenreader and experience difficulties with the coded security boxes, please call us toll-free at 1-866-948-2222 for assistance. We're working on finding one with decent audio output, and we appreciate your patience.

Thanks for visiting Disability is Natural and for embracing new ways of thinking!

And now you can find us on Facebook; click here to go to www.facebook.com/disabilityisnatural.

Wow--The Life-Changing Power of Our Attitudes and Actions!

Kathie, I want you to know how much you have changed my life. I have three children with autism and have done everything under the sun to raise awareness and to have them included. It's been very difficult. However, your words inspire me (as in, "What will it take?"), so when I feel like giving up, I don't. Everything you write makes sense and allows me to feel that there IS someone that I can relate to and that there IS someone out there who "gets" it . . . that person is YOU!  I've been called a "dangerous radical" and a "wild crusader"—all because I believe that people with disabilities should never be defined by a diagnosis and should be in regular settings. Your articles give me so much strength. Whenever I feel like I'm fighting a lost cause, I read one and it reminds me that I'm doing the right thing. And I bought several of your iron-on t-shirt transfers so my kids can wear positive messages to school each day. Thank you!
Joy Tallerico


Kathie, I was a part of the Idaho Partners in Policymaking class in late August. I want to thank you for your presentations. I don't know if I can fully express how my perspective has been changed by your words.  When I arrived home, I was tired from the weekend and happy to see my family. The weather was warm and Emma and Justin began playing out in our front yard with some of the neighborhood kids. As I watched my young daughter play with her brother and their friends I began to cry! It seemed that I was seeing Emma for the first time!  All I could see was a beautiful 4-year-old girl running and playing with her friends. I wasn't "assessing" her gait or trying to figure out how I could make her play "more productive" or wondering if she could understand the games. She was carefree and beautiful and having a wonderful time. How can I thank you enough for opening my eyes to see the beautiful little girl and not the disability? It is truly like I am seeing things from a different perspective.

I had honestly not expected to come home and discontinue Emma's therapies, but as I sat with her this week in SLT, OT and PT, all I could see is her frustration when she was pushed so hard and our expectations were always that she do just a little more. We are always asking her to jump farther, draw better, speak more clearly and in general do more! I have previously joked with the therapists that as soon as Emma "gets" one thing they move on to the next. Now I can see how detrimental this can be to her spirit because she may never  feel like she's accomplished anything. I don't know that I can continue with things as they are, because I am no longer who I was. Even my husband gets it. I have shared a lot with him and he came to me this week and said that because of this information he feels like we have been given permission to treat Emma as a 4-year-old girl, i.e. normally!! We are moving ahead to replace PT with gymnastics and we're looking into swimming and dance. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Emma could look back when she was grown and say, "Yes, I have Down syndrome, but my life has been much the same as my brother's. We went to the same schools, we spent time in the same activities, Justin learned karate and I learned to dance. We had our differences, but we lived in the same world!" Thank you for walking the road ahead of us, and for sharing your opinions and your years of experience. We're reading your book, and I am confident we can navigate the waters ahead, and we will continue to search out resources that will help us on this new journey. Cheryl Roberts

“DISABILITY IS NATURAL”
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