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First, let me clarify that this Giving Journey is not about neglecting myself and my needs and putting others first. This has EVERYTHING to do with taking care of myself. I am ready to receive the good that I deserve. … Continue reading
I am thrilled and honored to have been a guest over on the Handicap This! blog y’all!
Here’s a little snippet of what I shared over there:
“These two (Thomas and Lillian) are truly a gift to me and the World. Coupled with my life’s journey, they have helped to awaken my true self. The three of us make a GREAT family and team!
Why Do I Write?
I write because there is something inside of me that won’t let me not write. Something that gently nudges and says, “You’ve just got to share that.” My instinct, my gut, whatever you want to call it – that’s what I’m talking about. I fought this feeling for a while. I didn’t think I had anything meaningful to contribute and wondered why anyone would care what I thought or had to say. I know down to my core that I was chosen as Lillian’s Mom to in some way help those like her and parents/caregivers of those like her. I have a journey that I felt must be shared with others to inspire, give hope and motivate. Another reason I felt compelled to share my journey was to help people understand that the way they choose to view life matters more than they know ….. ” Head on over to read the entire post and check out the great guys over at Handicap This!
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Another summer and another Chromosome 18 Conference has come to an end. Another journey of adventures with crazy luggage, stairs, peaceful strolls along the Riverwalk, laughter, tears and …. magical moments. A journey to a place where not everyone knows … Continue reading
Have you noticed it? Have you noticed the way in which we communicate and conduct business has fundamentally shifted? We are no longer solely communicating with our mouths and voices as a society. A GREAT majority of us are using technology and social networking sites to communicate, work, conduct business and stay connected. We, as a society, have shifted our communication style. It is my belief that this shift has occurred in such a way to literally wrap it’s arms around the segment of our population who communicate with sign language or who cannot articulate in such a way to be understood. Our communication methods are literally evolving to include more of our society than EVER before. There are 8 of every 1,000 people in the United States who have some sort of communication disorder.
To fully grasp this just notice throughout your day how often you are communicating using technology via email, texting or social networking sites. If you still conduct many of your conversations over the phone or face to face, stop and think, “How would I be having this conversation if I did not have the use of my voice or if I could not articulate what I’m trying to say?” There are options now that weren’t available years ago! I, for one, believe there’s more to what is occurring in our communciation style than meets the eye. I can’t begin to imagine where this is headed. What I do know is that this is a GOOD thing for my daughter, Lillian, and those like her.
This is the VERY reason I was driven to create the Turning Views Foundation, the Different iz Good movement and the Gift a Voice Project. We began a recycling program through which we collect last generation iPhones, iPod Touches and (soon) iPads to be donated to those who communicate with sign language or who cannot articulate. **Update** We now take ANY used/inactive cell/mobile/smart phones. We also have it set up so that schools, companies, churches, etc can hold a Gift a Voice cell phone recycling drive and pay NO shipping for mailing the phones!
We also just got our first media coverage about the iPhone, iPod and iPad recycling program. You can read the article at Reno News & Review’s website and The Gift of a Voice in Sparks News Tribune. Please visit the Different iz Good website if you would like to learn more, see how you can Get Involved, take a look at our Wish List or even browse our Different iz Good store!
Would love to hear your thoughts in the Comments section! Thanks y’all!