"Heartbreaking Strengths and Glorious Disabilities"

In the spirit of knowledge, support and educated choices, I thought it befitting to highlight one amazing woman and her message of empowerment.

Aimee Mullins is the fashionable spokesperson from the world of disability.

She was born without fibular bones and had both legs amputated below the knee as a child. Despite her disability, Mullins is a professional athlete, fashion model and actress.

Mullins gave a talk at TED (Technology, Education & Design) this year exploring the changing perceptions of disability.

Mullins sports no less than twelve prosthetic limbs allowing her to change her legs like people with glasses change their eye-wear. In a conversation with children in a museum, she succeeded in changing their ideas of disability. Mullins assembled her collection of legs on a table (to the delight of the children) and asked them if they could build her some legs that would give her a special ability of an animal, a superhero or even a cartoon, what kind of legs would they build her? The children began shouting out answers like "kangaroo" and "frog" and "go-go gadget go". Then one child answered that she could even have legs that would let her fly. At that moment, Mullins changed from being disabled in the eyes of those children to having the potential of being "super-abled".

Imagine a world where our differences were seen as assets and where a person with a different way of moving around like Aimee Mullins was seen only for her potential. Imagine getting to know a person with a cognitive disability like Asperger’s syndrome and realizing that his autism makes him "super-abled" too.

I think the current perceptions of disability are the most debilitating thing of all. However, perceptions are endlessly malleable. Mullins expresses it best:

"If we want to discover the full potential in our humanity, we need to celebrate those heartbreaking strengths and those glorious disabilities we all have. It is our humanity and all the potential within it that makes us beautiful."

See Mullins speaking at TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics.html

Jason Goldsmith is the founder of Big Blue Hug which raises awareness with its story telling art. Visit http://www.thebigbluehug.com/ to learn more about Big Blue Hug art and about PictureTalking intervention and workshops.

Empower Yourself Through . . . Events

At the Friendship Circle offices, we’re all extremely hyped for what’s going to be our first annual Walk4Friendship. We’ve seen the powerful effect it’s had on our sister-Friendship Circle cities and we’re so excited for Montreal – cause ‘When we walk together, we all move forward!’

It’s not a secret, there are lots of Walks, all supporting important organizations so what’s different about Walk4Friendship?

Well, for one, we’re saluting our awesome teen volunteers, who are the heart and soul of Friendship Circle. And isn’t it about time we all came together – me, you, kids with special needs, their parents, friends, staff, supporters . . why even your hairdresser should be there!

We’re expecting lots of people this Sunday, October 25th as we take over Trudeau Park and proudly walk through the streets (well, actually sidewalks) of Cote Saint Luc. And we’re expecting a beautiful sunny day, but prepare your scarves and gloves, just in case!

Registration opens at 11:00 am with the opening ceremony at 12:45 pm honouring our volunteers. The 3KM walk follows, starting and ending at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Park in Cote Saint Luc. A variety of family activities, entertainment and refreshments will be ongoing from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. And you don’t want to miss The Pogo Dudes at 2:00 pm!

Hope to see you there!

Aidel Goldstein is one of the many special people that work at The Friendship Circle. She can be reached at 514.735.2255. For information about the Walk and to sign up and contribute, visit http://www.montrealwalk4friendship.com/

Socialization - The Key That Unlocks So Many Doors

Within any case, within any mind, socialization is like a key. It’s like a key that can unlock so many different doors. These doors empower one through abilities that make the most of the participant’s life. Socialization effects one emotionally, physically and mentally.

How can a peer group help? Basically, what is given is what one can get (i.e. you give love, you get love back). Peer groups ideally don’t judge and no one tells anyone else to grow up. Isn’t the idea of noncritical acceptance nice? And one that is free from the emotions and opinions of close family or friends. Essentially socialization happens within environments that give strength. I can’t begin to tell you how my daughter Atara has touched individuals within groups and, of course, how they’ve affected her. Socialization within different groups of people has often been amazing for us all. Essentially it’s all about interaction with other beings and in the end all of one’s senses have been enhanced. There’s a good chance you’ll come alive.

How about a woman from Phoenix, Arizona dancing with friends after being bedridden from chronic pain? Or a superb smile from a boy who usually gives no expressions as ‘his special friends’ come to his house for their weekly visit? It’s awe inspiring what we can do with what we innately have to give.

Would you like to see your child with a personal network and indirectly build one of your own? Are you wondering where to get your child started? As a mother of a child with a disability I have found a refuge with The Friendship Circle. You too can find refuge from them.

http://www.friendshipcircle.ca/default.asp

Erika Tencer is Atara's and Tova's mother as well as a therapeutic recreation specialist.

A Dad, a Mom and an E-Guru on a mission... this is the start of a beautiful friendship

Erika and I have been friends for many years now and we can thank our children for bringing us together. I have found this to be the rule and not the exception of families with kids who have special needs.

My son is autistic and he has been the glue that has bonded me to so many wonderful people. He has been my inspiration to share the wonderful things I have learned by being his Dad. It is no exaggeration to say that he has changed people's lives.

Erika's daughter has Down Syndrome. Atara has filled her family’s life with so many loving people. Erika is a therapeutic recreation specialist (Erika will explain it to you in one of her future blogs) and she can thank her daughter for the motivation to practice in this field.

Our children have brought Léa into our lives. Her compassion and curiosity about the world of special needs has sparked her unique insight. Lea's business expertise and e-savvy training bonds all three of us together on our mission to connect people.

Our children bring out the best in us and in others. They open our minds, inspire us to be better people and help us to see the world with new eyes.

Join us as we build better relationships between all those interested in special needs.

Jason Goldsmith is the founder of Big Blue Hug which raises awareness with its story telling art. Jason consults with schools and treatment centres to help them improve communication with communication-challenged children.

In addition to being the proud father of an autistic boy, Jason Goldsmith runs the Picture Talking Early Intervention Program at the Donald Berman YALDEI Developmental Centre and celebrates autism through the Big Blue Hug Art Project.

Visit www.thebigbluehug.com to learn more about Big Blue Hug art and about PictureTalking intervention and workshops.