My name is Jeannie Brown and I thought I had my life all planned out. I was a workaholic/schoolaholic who had a very clear and successful career path. Then out of the blue one day, I woke up with Multiple Sclerosis (MS); initially the disease and its effects were overwhelming. I had a whole new normal to adapt to which presented both challenges and opportunities. It did not take me long to determine, I was my own best advocate, especially when it came to communicating my needs to those who were not disabled.
On this website, I will provide resources that may be useful to you regardless of your specific disease or degree of disability. Caregivers will also find helpful resources, ideas, and tips. On occasion, either the caregiver or disabled individual will featured so we can learn from their strategies for dealing with daily life. In addition, we will explore paths to better communication and inclusiveness between your friends, family, spouse/significant other, employer, as well as your neighbors.
Most of all, this is a website where disabled people, their caregivers, and their loved ones can have a voice that is heard. I look forward to sharing the information with you and from you as we journey down this path together. If you are able-bodied individual, life as a disabled person is probably not what you think;
- We are all different. We have different types of disabilities complete with different physical, mental and emotion needs. Many of us have our very own aspirations of what our life could be or should be We have each have different personalities complete with different levels of education and emotional intelligence. Sound familiar? It should, as we are just like anyone else; we just have something that makes life a bit more challenging.
- We would like to be included in decisions regarding what type accommodations we need. Whenever possible, please give us the respect and allow us to tell you what our needs are and how we might be accommodated. I am reminded of a wonderful roll in shower that was located in a bathroom where the doorway was not wide enough for a wheelchair.
- When we are wrong, please give us the respect of telling us how and why. Most of us can learn and grow from our mistakes. I once had to terminate a deaf employee that had extremely poor attendance. His disability did not make him subject to a different set of expectations in his particular job.
- Most of all, I want disabled people to have a voice and a place to be heard.
These are just a few of the reasons why I started this website. I hope to shed a light on the issues that people with disabilities face when it comes to community, the workplace, health and fitness as well as provide available programs and resources. I will also feature stories spotlighting others with disabilities and or their caregivers.