Poisoned

 

After this lovely princess flees for her life and waking from a deep slumber, Snow White finds herself as a suspect in her stepmothers murder and discovers that the prince she is engaged to isn't as charming as she once thought. She begins to seek solace in an unlikely place--in the cottage where she was poisoned. 

I absolutely love the depth this book goes into about disability inclusion & bringing awareness to people with severe IDD in such a vulnerable population. I am grateful for Snow White being able to stick it out while she endures through unknown circumstances that she has never experienced through out her life. I cannot imagine what she must be going through with deciding if she wants to be the next queen in her kingdom or just remain a servant. LONG STORY SHORT----I have enjoyed seeing a very unique relationship between a young man who is slightly different than most-- just sharing his love with so many people as freely as he does. He clearly loves Snow White for the person she is instead of being perceived as someone that doesn't want to live her fairytale life with someone who is not as charming or loving as her prince appeared to be. I may never be poisoned by eating an apple inside of a cottage with seven dwarfs, but knowing that one of them was slightly different than the rest--I would do everything in my power to be their friend. 

(End Of Part One) 

Neverland Series

 Background Story (Mini Version)

One of the sessions I attended at the NACDD conference in our nation's capitol last summer was titled: "Disability Book Week" - Disability representation in literature. For me, to admit that this session was legitimate would not be an understatement and I genuinely loved getting to learn something new within the disability population. The presenter was such an engaged speaker whose expertise left me in a lot of awe over how much they knew in regards to putting individuals with disabilities being represented in the most inspiring way possible. Did I forget to mention they had NINJAs in their slides along with so many other well known Disney and fairytale characters??? It was so much fun getting educated on something where disability is not being shunned in literature, but to help so many people get a more respectful and meaningful way of who we are. I cannot necessarily remember too much other than just being inspired--with how eloquent the presenter was being able to get their message out there and believe me, it was just simply amazing to learn about. 

LONG STORY SHORT---My mom ordered me last week one of their YA books recently and have gotten through more than most of it. I am currently reading the A Villainous Peter Pan Retelling - "Becoming Hook" and wow it's a lot dark and intense, but my goodness it is so much fun!!! I especially love that Tink is a part of the story in the sense of being there to help Captain Hook out in saving the lost boys. You will be amazed with how the storyline draws you into a world of magic and fantasy while trying to find out if the lost boys will be saved from their captor who used to be a good guy and now that is reversed into something that you need to read for yourself to find out more about :)

Free Write

Speakers Network Presentation (Wednesday Afternoon)

THIS WEEK---One of my colleagues and I will be presenting about the self advocacy movement to a very small group of individuals who need to know how important this subject is within the disability community. I am definitely if not slightly anxious with how this will turn out and genuinely hoping for the best outcome, no matter the awkwardness inside of that training room. After my mom and twin sister drop me off, they will leave somewhere to do their own thing while I'm busy with this presentation. 

31st Birthday Together (July 10th)

Obviously...I could not leave this out of here!!! I am excited for the chance me, my twin sister along with our best friends to celebrate our birthday a little bit earlier than usual. As far as plans go with this, I cannot wait to spend quality time with people I love so much and make a lot of new memories!! We are planning to attend a musical that I have never seen before and having dinner with our friends. (Stay tuned for more updates about this later!!!) 

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Untitled Post

LATER THIS YEAR---I will have an opportunity to participate in something that I know is gonna impact my life forever. I am grateful to be able to do this with my colleagues on the speakers network & helping the new council members feel good about what they are getting themselves into. I don't necessarily have lots of details that can be shared right now, but I will make sure to post about this when I've got a clearer idea with how things are going to be. I am very excited to see what unfolds from this experience and just look forward to whatever happens along the way!!! 

Throughout my first three year term of serving on UDDC has been an incredible, rewarding, motivating & life changing experience. I will admit that this journey has allowed me to grow in ways that I never could have imagined were possible, which if you ask me is not an understatement. LONG STORY SHORT--- It has given me more opportunities to keep moving forward & not try to rework the past. I have continuously seen myself realize that the potential I have to do hard things and not worry about others think. I am truly grateful for the patience, unconditional love, support and kindness that my colleagues have never failed to share with me throughout my years of service. I can never repay them for their willingness to remind me of what I can do as well as elucidate things I may not quite understand. I especially loved the opportunity with being able to travel to Washington, DC to learn what other DD councils are working on and learning the importance of disability representation in literature, etc.

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Easy Choice

Where did those first three years go?? I can't even believe that my first three year term with the UDDC is almost coming to an end. How did that happen so quickly and not feel like I had just applied to be on this council yesterday. It has definitely been a rewarding experience for me to see first hand how valuable and important it is to share my opinion about things in the disability community, that either need to be fixed or immediately revamped in some way. I have grown so much in the first three years than I ever imagined--- which if you ask me is not an understatement. It has given me a lot of opportunities to travel to other states and learn more about what other DD councils are working on, which if you ask me is quite impressive as I reflect on the impact they want to have for individuals with disabilities. I am very passionate about being a good self advocate for others in the disability community who need their voices heard whether or not they feel confident to speak up. 

Serving on the UDDC has been nothing short of a dream come true!!! I didn't make it into the council four years ago, because I was involved with other leadership capacities and felt like it was the perfect route that needed to be taken so I could be where I am today. I am grateful to be a small part of something I can truly admit is a lot bigger than myself which if you must know is something I had always wanted to do. I am so blessed to continue serving alongside the best of the best and learning from them about what a true leader should be like has been amazing. I know there is a lot more for me to still learn and take away from this-- experience so I would love to continue seeing what other ways I can leave an imprint on the hearts of my colleagues. 

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Shout Out

 Happy Heavenly Birthday, Scooter!!! Thank you so much for being a part of my life for 14 and a half--almost fifteen years. You truly brought a smile to my face whenever I needed it most and made me feel extra special every time I was around. I am grateful that you taught me to have unconditional love and always see the best in every situation that life had to offer. Thank you for teaching me how to be a good person in this world and making others around me the exact same way. I love and miss you so much but know that you are watching over me everyday. I look forward to our happy reunion in heaven!!! 

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LATER THIS WEEK---I will be co presenting with one of my colleagues about a topic that neither one of us has ever presented on before. We are going to be presenting on the subject in regards to social security and work incentives for people in the disability community. I am hopeful things will run smoothly for us and we can make an effort to spread awareness of how important this is when it comes to living an independent life. I am grateful to have a few extra days to practice reading the script along with the slides I have to go with them. It's definitely paid off with being able to keep track of where I need to be and not over work myself too much.

It's always a delightful experience for me to present on topics that affect the disability community and being able to educate others about the potential we have to follow our dreams. I am grateful to have just recently hit the six year mark with being on the speakers network last month and doing whatever it takes to make sure my voice is being heard. 

Self Advocacy Conference (Two And A Half Weeks)

Nothing much about this as of yet---I can only hope to have an unforgettable time and learn some new things in regards to self advocacy efforts. I definitely look forward to making memories with my friends and doing all I can in my power to be an even better self advocate in the disability community. I can only hope to have an experience that leaves an imprint on my heart and continue growing more as a person in this community of people with disabilities. 

(To Be Continued)