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At Easter Seals Crossroads we are constantly reminding ourselves and our consumers to focus on abilities, not disabilities, and we know that it can be beneficial for people to see others who face similar challenges. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 20.8 percent of the African-American community has a disability, which is the highest rate of any minority in the U.S. In honor of Black History Month, we compiled a short list of African-Americans with disabilities that have stood out in history across the years. 

Born blind and on the autism spectrum, “Blind Tom” Wiggins was one of the most well-known American performing pianists in the 19th century and was the first African-Americans to give a performance at the White House.

Actors Danny Glover and Whoopi Goldberg along with NBA superstar Magic Johnson all face the challenges of dyslexia.

Harriet Tubman suffered from a form of epilepsy after being struck on the head by an overseer at age thirteen.

Recording legend Stevie Wonder was blind from infancy because of a high dosage of oxygen which damaged his eyes.

Ray Charles, a pioneer of soul music during the 1950s, started losing his sight at the age of five and became completely blind by the age of seven due to glaucoma.

Claudia Gordon was the first Deaf African American woman to become an attorney.

Commedian, actor and writer Richard Pryor was regarded as the most important stand-up comedian of his time. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 and spent the latter part of his life in a wheelchair.

Lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass was severly injured in a car accident in 1982 and was paralyzed from the waist down. He founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, a foundation that helps those with spinal cord injuries.

Rapper Foxy Brown has revealed that she is slowly losing her hearing after being diagnosed with a rare condition that only affects 1 in 10,000. She has opted not to wear a hearing aid and has someone tap beats on her shoulder while she records music.

Can you help us add to our list? Leave a comment on this blog and share your stories of others who have helped you focus on abilities.

WHAT: Hanging with the Hounds - presented by Dana Cullom and the College Students Act for Autism group

WHEN: Saturday, February 25 from 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM

WHERE: Good Recital Hall, University of Indianapolis

FOR: Students ages 14-20 on the autism spectrum

WHY: Come and enjoy a pizza lunch, snacks, board games and get a sense for college life with a tour of the school from current college students.

To register for the event, visit http://hangingwiththehounds.eventbrite.com/ or contact Dana Cullom at cullomd@uindy.edu.

Today's blog post was written by Breezy, a mother who brings her son Collin to Parents' Night Out.

My oldest son was diagnosed 3 years ago on the autism spectrum. We had been baffled as to what we were doing wrong with him, until we finally learned what was happening. We were so relieved. I know that not many parents can say that, but it is true. We had tried everything that others had suggested to us, but nothing helped us when it came to working with our sweet little boy. His diagnosis opened the doors for us. We knew what we needed to do for him finally. It was like a huge weight being lifted. Of course, that made room for new weights to be added.

Our life was all about our two sons. We went to work, picked up our boys and then went home. The weekends consisted of anything they wanted to do (still does to a certain degree). At first it was hard to go out because our oldest just didn't do well out and about. He was very routine based. So, we found it easier to just stay home. Well, we realized quickly that it wasn't good for us or for him to stay home all the time. So, we ventured out slowly.

Finally, we made it to a point where it was time for my husband and I to start having time for us. As much as we love our boys, we need adult time for just the two of us. We had been sending our son to an at home child care provider. We love her. She had been taking care of him since he was 5 months old. Our youngest goes to her as well. She was willing to watch our boys outside of work time so that we could go out. We had no family close to help out on a regular basis. We didn't feel comfortable leaving our boys with anyone else. What if they didn't understand what our oldest needed? What if he tried to run away? So many things that would run through our heads. We had her watch them a few times and compensated her for it (she wanted to do it for free, but we just couldn't do that). Unfortunately, as much as we wanted to pay her and go out, we just couldn't afford to do that much, if at all. So, we slowly stopped going out.

I work at a university. In my office, I have a student assistant. She is awesome. She is in the Occupational Therapy program. One day she mentioned that in her class her professor had suggested places they could go and volunteer at for their program. One of them was Parents' Night Out at The Creek through Easter Seals Crossroads. I was amazed. I had no idea there were programs out there that allowed not only the child with the 'disability' to be watched, but for their siblings to be watched as well - so that the parents could TRULY have a 'night out.'

I immediately contacted Easter Seals Crossroads and inquired as to how I could sign my family up. They were prompt in replying and sending me all the pertinent paperwork. We were quickly admitted into the program (after turning in our paperwork) and participated in the next months' Parents' Night Out.

I have to say that I was a bit frightened on many levels. Although, as soon as we walked into the building those fears just disappeared. My boys were ready to leave me and go play. I had to stop them to say goodbye. As we checked in, I just felt more and more comfortable. The fact that there were staff members and volunteers that were knowledgeable just made me feel so excited for my boys.

We have been attending for two years now. Our boys love it and we have never had a problem. In the past my oldest had experiences where he would cry, not wanting to go places. He has never once exhibited this feeling towards Parents' Night Out or their staff/volunteers. I feel safe and sound leaving my boys with these capable and caring people.

I had been thinking for a long time, "what can I do to show my appreciation for this program and the wonderful people that work with my son?" As it was, my university hosts a Christmas luncheon every year. My office was among the offices that were to host it. I immediately suggested Easter Seals Crossroads. It was extremely successful and we were able to donate an amazing amount of new and used toys, puzzles, games, etc. for the Parents' Night Out programs all over Indy. I cannot express the joy that engulfed my heart in hosting this successfully.

My husband and I are so thankful for Easter Seals Crossroads, their staff and volunteers for allowing us to have that one night where we can be just 'us' and know that our boys are having a blast in a safe, knowledgeable, and fun environment.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

 

Imagine this: a woman will be admitted to the hospital for a series of tests. Her husband, who is deaf, will be accompanying her. Is the hospital required to provide an interpreter for the patient’s husband?

The answer is yes. The Supreme Court made changes to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2010 to clarify the regulations regarding companions. According to the law, a companion could be a “family member, friend, or associate of an individual seeking access to a service, program, or activities of a public entity, who, along with such individual, is an appropriate person with whom the public entity should communicate.”

Under Subpart C – Specific Requirements (§ 36.303), the law states “A public accommodation shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. This includes an obligation to provide effective communication to companions who are individuals with disabilities.” The law encourages the entity to consult with the individual to determine what type of aid is needed, although the final decision rests with the public entity; provided that the end result is effective communication.

Using the earlier example, but with roles reversed, could a hearing wife be expected to interpret for her deaf husband who is receiving care? The answer here is no. The law clearly states that a business does not have the right to require a deaf person to “bring another individual to interpret for him or her.” Nor can the entity expect a companion (including minor children) to facilitate communication. The exceptions are if the person’s life or welfare is in danger, or if the deaf individual is specifically requesting that the companion interpret, and the companion agrees.

The information for this article was found at www.ada.gov and all quotes are from “Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities.” Department of Justice, September 15, 2010.

This blog was written by Mandy Alexander, IIC, NIC Master. She is a nationally certified interpreter and has been working in the field for four years. Prior, she managed the work-life department for an employee assistance program. She is a graduate of Purdue University and Columbia College. She has a passion for mentoring interpreting students and travel interpreting.
 

In honor of National Burn Awareness Week (February 5-11), we are sharing the motivational story of burn survivor and Iraqi war veteran J.R. Martinez. You can also listen to him speak at our 51st Annual Business Lunch on March 13.

Jose Rene Martinez was born June 14, 1983 in Shreveport, LA to Maria Zavala. He has two sisters, Consuelo and Anabel, who were raised in El Salvador with his mother’s family. Anabel died as a toddler before he ever met her. At nine years old J.R. moved with his mother to Hope, AR, where he lived until he was 17. At 17, he moved to Dalton, GA, a place he proudly calls his hometown. During his senior year he played strong safety for the Dalton High School Catamounts when they went to Georgia’s State Championship. Playing professional football was his dream until he suffered an injury his senior year.
 

After high school he joined the army. J.R. was proud to serve, as a way to give something back to a country that had already given so much to him and his family. In September of 2002, J.R. underwent Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he gained skills as an 11-B Infantryman. After reporting to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in January of 2003, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
 

In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq, and on April 5, less than a month into his deployment, he was serving as a driver of a Humvee in Karbala, when his left front tire hit a land-mine. Three other soldiers with J.R. were ejected from the burning vehicle, but he was trapped inside and suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. J.R. claims that while he was fighting for his life and awaiting medical help in Iraq, his sister Anabel, appeared to him, giving him the strength to stay alive.
 

After he was pulled out of the Humvee, J.R. was evacuated to a local medic station in Iraq and then Landstuhl, Germany, for immediate care. He was eventually sent to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. He spent 34 months in recovery at BAMC and underwent 33 different surgeries including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.
 

During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximate 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain letting light in his room and his heart. J.R. then understood the impact he had on this patient and decided to use his experience to help others, visiting with several of the patients in the hospital, sharing his story and listening to theirs.
 

J.R. has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker, travelling the country to spread his message of resilience and optimism. He devotes himself to showing others the true value in making the most of every situation. He is called on by a wide-range of groups, including large corporations, veterans groups, non-profits and schools, and has shared the stage with the likes of global self-help guru Tony Robbins and Evangelist Dave Roever.
 

While J.R.'s experience was certainly life-changing, amazingly he claims this is actually a change for the better. “I discovered it is what is inside a person that matters most and I wouldn’t change anything…absolutely anything!" states J.R. "I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I'm extremely grateful for that day because it led me into this life!"