Hi Yvonne,
I came across your website today. I was actually looking for info on Walden, but found your situation interesting as well. I would be happy to talk with you about your situation if you wish. Although much of that info is dated 2003, it seems like you have found some positive opportunities more recently.
To begin, I am curious about your experience with two things:
Speech to speech relay service
Section 508 Standards.
Thanks
David
Subject: hello
From: Julian jmsmirko@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:11:44 -0800
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
hi,
my name is Julian Schweingruber I am a 20-year-old quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. I live in Mountain View CA and I am trying to make my way to through foothill community college, I was reading your article online and thought to myself she is going through the same things I am. I was wondering if you would like to be my pen pal? I had type using voice recognition, and I also interested in some some of the same looks when I go around campus drive in my power wheelchair with my head.
Sincerely,
Julian Schweingruber
Subject: Inspiration
From: pycrrccf@aol.com
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:34:48 -0500
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
You are truly an inspiration. I am a teacher, and I work with so many students who have the I can't attitude, better put it would be, I don't want to and you can't make me, that your story really touched my heart. I am going to print off both articles, and the next time I hear I can't, their assignment will be to read both articles, orally to me! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story.
Patricia R. Lang, MA
Olathe, Colorado
Subject: just a quick note
From: "The Butler's" hbutler3@columbus.rr.com
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:28:29 -0500
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Hi there Yvonne. Just wanted to state for "the record" that I think you are an amazing woman and your accomplishments are a testament to your strength of character. I have a 9 y/o daughter with severe CP and Neurofibromatosis and I can only hope that she can do similar amazing things with her life! You do the disabled community proud! Sincerely, Heather
Subject: Positive attitudes
From: Chris Lesurf christal@orpheusmail.co.uk
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:29:27 +0000 (GMT)
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
When I developed epilepsy 35yrs ago, I was advised by the British Epilepsy Association (now known as Epilepsy Action) to discourage people from describing anyone as 'an epileptic' or saying that s/he suffers from epilepsy but just to say that someone has epilepsy. The point is that the first idea that the listener receives is of a whole person, with epilepsy only having a secondary effect.
Having done a lot of work (mostly indirectly) for 'people with disabilities', I am now trying to make that the general term rather than 'disabled people'. The purpose is to have some ability assumed and then investigated rather than vice versa.
My epilepsy started when I was in full-time employment as a university physics teaching lab. technician. As my employers, especially my direct superiors, were very reasonable people no attempt was made to alter my responsibilities. It was accepted as mutually beneficial while I was taking phenobarbitone that I should work 4days/week rather than 5 (as it virtually meant that they got the same work done for 80% price and I only had to work 2 days in a row as teaching labs did not run on Wednesdays).
The general prejudice only affected me when I moved here 23yrs ago and I haven't had a paid job since. I've kept myself sane by volunteering at CABx, Health Councils (which included serving on NHS committees), St Andrews Preservation Trust and being an elected member of the Community Council (which has included chairing its Health, Education and Welfare Committee).
We're very lucky here that there is still a strong sense of community and a friend of mine has set up a bi-monthly magazine for free delivery to every residence and sold in shops for £3.50 and maintained by advertising income from local shops and people giving articles for no fees. In other words there is enough emphasis on communication and co-operation to be efficiently active St Andrews. This also applies to relations between consumers and providers with small enough businesses to treat everyone as an individual and make allowances for some particular requests (eg a baker lets me have my bread in paper bags although he uses plastic ones for other peoples and keeps paper ones for cakes etc and a health shop lets me buy my pecan nuts in occasional 1kg bags rather than lots of smaller (and hence more expensive) ones).
In general, most people here treat others as equally valuable people not just obstacles in space or time.
Cheers, Chris (Lesurf)
Subject: Re: Teaching the "Yes, I Can" Attitude
From: anna schnitzer schnitzr@umich.edu
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 10:13:07 -0500
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Yvonne!
That's great! Congratulations on your perseverance and your eventual success. I can pass your message along to my group (Council for Disability Concerns) here at the University of Michigan.
Best wishes!
/anna
Anna Ercoli Schnitzer
Librarian and Member, Council for Disability Concerns
schnitzr@umich.edu
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:28:17 -0000
From: "spidertherapy4cp" smilepm@hotmail.com
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Subject: "Yes I can"
Hello Yvonne,
I am a pediatric dentist, and I have experience working with patients with special needs. I just posted my intro message as a new member. I agree with you, as well as I admire your attitude. My son is 14 yrs. old and has been always an oustanding student, sometimes he feels left out because he sees that people associate the disability with complete isolation of the disable person. He has told me: "Why they make an assumption about me thinking that because I am not phisically able to do the same activities as them, then I am not good enough in other areas"?
This has been his challenge all the time. We have long talks about it, and I admire him also because he is very mature. I'd like to interlink with you. Alan developed his site associated with the therapy program Spider. Take a look at http://www.alanspider.com/. E-mail me please so we can exchange info and links.
Regards.
Dr. Leticia Medina
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Cc: chuchiesue@aol.com
Subject: Emotional Health of 6yr old with CP
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:50:31 -0500
Yvonne,
Let me begin by telling you I am a Community Based Case Manager for children with special needs. I came across your web site because I am searching for help with one of my kiddos. He is in kindergarten and has CP. His CP is extremely debilitating for him. He does not have much expressive language skills due to not being able to form the words with his mouth, but his receptive language is tremendous. He has now begun to show many signs of aggression that we (parents and caregivers) feel is based on his awareness of his limitations in comparison to his typically developing peers. Basically he seems to be acting out because he's frustrated 'cause he can't do what the other kids are doing. I feel like his family and teachers etc. are doing very well with him, trying to be aware of this and include him in all kinds of activities with typically and atypically developing kids. Do you have any suggestions of strategies or therapies, know of any trained therapists in southern Maine that can help him, or an approach to things we should use with him. I don't know much about 'emotional' therapy for kids who are experiencing emotional difficulties that don't have the ability to "talk" about what they are feeling. I don't feel that play therapy, or art therapy is the right fit for him either; given his limitations knowing the use of play and art therapy. I know that as he gets older, and learns to speak better, and use his Vanguard system better that he will be able to do better express himself but we can't wait for that. Please, any help and knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
Jessika Smith
Case Manager
Morrison Developmental Center
Subject: Nathan Ballard: a friend with CP
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:09:58 -0500
From: "Michael Rogers" mrogers@ocss-va.org
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Cc: lettertonathan@hotmail.com
Yvonne,
My name is Michael Rogers. I am a 7th grade special education teacher in Orange County, Virginia. I am completing my Master's degree in SPED at George Mason University this summer.
I'm writing to start a dialogue about a project I am involved with, which would very much interest you.
I met a guy in 1991 who changed my life forever, and I have spent the better part of the last 16 years working in concert (well, sometimes at odds, LOL!) with him to realize his dreams. Nathan Ballard has CP too, and completed some college at the University of Alabama. He never received a degree. He was instrumentally involved in the research which led to the writing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Dr. David Matthews, the author of Section 504, penned the forward to a book I helped him to write.
Nate and I go way back. He is a great guy with a long history in the movement. Book search "Nathan Ballard" at Amazon.com and you will find the heart of our collaboration. Right now, he is incoporated in Alabama as the "Ballard Collaborative Charities, Inc." Nate and a colleague have many kinks to work out with their project before I will legally associate myself with it. In the meantime, some friends of mine are going to endow a permanent scholarship at Alabama in Nathan's name. The fund is established at has $1140 in it now. If it hasn't reached full endowment by the end of February, this year, however, I will be very surprised. Nate is one heck of a motivational speaker and the two of you would really hit it off.
His project is totally out of sorts, but the right people wait in the wings to help. If he can bring some focus and proper legal protections for the organization and contributors to Nathan's company, it has the potential to put an endowment at every type of trade school, college, and university in Alabama within the next year.
I'd like to try and arrange a meeting sometime in the future. He is woefully disconnected from the internet. Shame, really. Poverty is a bitch, after all. Still, I think we could make it happen. In surfing your website, I am not clear...where exactly are you presently located? He'll be in Virginia in February, but he resides in Alabama.
You must read the book we wrote. I wish I could send you a copy, but I haven't any and have long since exhausted my publisher's charity. The two of you simply must meet and dialogue.
Regards,
Michael Rogers
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 22:33:46 -0500
From: "Linda Doernberg" linda.doernberg@gmail.com
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Subject: your article about the Peabody Picture Voc Test
I had been speaking about the PPVT to my friend, Beth who works for Dynavox Technologies. I am not sure if you are familiar with their assistive communication devices. Beth is a speech pathologist. I am a reading specialist and teach reading to a 16 year old who has CP and is a wheelchair user. He uses a Dynavox to communicate. Beth and I were discussing an adaptation of an oral reading test I had done for my student. I made a power point presentation, where the correct word was one of four words in red, yellow, blue and green boxes. The student was asked to use his color page to pick which color held the correct word. Of course, this means the test was given in a non standard format, but it would yield an approximate sight vocabulary reading level. So we were discussing, since the PPVT uses four pictures maybe this method could be used to adapt this test. It is interesting that I am familiar with this test through my work as a reading specialist as this test was recommended as an easy reliable way to get an
intelligence score range. So as I was doing some research on the internet I came across your article and I was curious what you have found if any about adaptations to the PPVT for use with students with impairments. Thank you in advance for your input. Linda Doernberg
From: "Lesly Federici" artles@msn.com
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Community of the Disabled response to your post
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2007 08:00:15 -0400
Hi Yvonne,
I just read your post on the Community for the Disabled. I live in NJ too! In North Plainfield actually. I am legally blind and understand to some degree the challenges the disabled have.
I am an "RN", I have a license but no longer practice clinically because of my vision. I don't drive a car either. I am also a Life Coach and have been wanting to connect with disabled people to assist them in being their personal best, and achieving their goals. The disabled are people too as your website champions.
I would be honored to place your link on my website. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are a role model for so many people who need hope and inspiration in knowing their lives count regardless of the disability.
I hope we can stay in touch. I would enjoy that.
My best,
Lesly
Lesly Federici
childbirth education,
New Mom Coach, Baby Signing, teleconferences
Ready to reinvent yourself?
U Smile Radio Weekly
find out why I do what I do
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 13:34:36 +0000
Reply-To: Amputee Information Network ARM-AMP@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG
Sender: Amputee Information Network ARM-AMP@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG
From: Christine Reintjes reintjes@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject: Re: Psychology of the Handicapped
To: ARM-AMP@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG
Yvonne,
You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your story and your accomplishments!
Christine
--
Christine Reintjes Martin
reintjes@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:01:08 -0400
From: "Jeannette F. Van Houten" jvanhouten@optonline.net
Subject: RE: Suggestions for looking for text
To: 'Yvonne Singer' ysinger@worldnet.att.net
The Edutech list serv is more for educational technology. I rarely see anything or anyone on the list serv that has any interest in children or adults with disabilities. It is a great list serv for collecting websites and hints on technology solutions when having a problem.
Yes, I work for CP of New Jersey. I am part of the assistive technology department. I am responsible for Pre-K through 12th grade academics. I mainly work with students public schools in NJ. My focus is computer access, software accusation and training and support. I have co-workers that work with DVR, job accommodations and college supports. I have read that you had no or poor interaction with DVR.
I cannot argue that there are many sites that are not medically accurate. Anyone can have a website and nothing requires them to have accurate information. I typically contact the site developer and try to educate them on first person language as well as attempt to give them correct information.
In my Google search, I had good success on finding sites that had general good information. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Cerebral+Palsy+Intelligence
I think many sites that are not accurate are because they are working from old information and many professionals still rely on standardized test for IQ information. Many individuals with Cerebral Palsy or other developmental disabilities struggle with access to written expression or a form of accurate communication (voice, sign or typing). So in general the perceived conception is that if a person cannot be tested then they must have a low IQ. The issue with this process of thinking is that the person with a disability is put at fault because of their disability instead the person giving the test to figure out how to administer the test and the lack of testing materials that are standardized that are accessible for people with disabilities.
Then, there are the struggles of making sure that children that have a disability (LD to Severe disabilities) are actually being taught how to read. Many educators do not understand how to teach reading and writing skills to children with developmental disabilities. More times than not, children with developmental disabilities do not receive the education they deserve. It is often left up to the family to supplement or offer a true education at home.
Look forward to talking to you again.
Jeannette Van Houten, M.Ed, ATP
Curriculum - Assistive Technology Specialist
1005 Whitehead Road Extension
Suite 1
Ewing NJ 08638
(voice) 609-882-4182 (530)
(fax) 609-882-4057
If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.
~Ignacio Estrada
From: "Ashley Steinbach" ashley_steinbach@hotmail.com
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Hello
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:33:16 -0600
Hi my name is Ashley. I am a single mom of Avalee who is now 9 months. She was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy a little over a month ago. Reading your email has given me such a sigh of releif. I love this website and people like you. You are an amazing person and I just wanted to thank you for doing what you do!
~Ashley Steinbach
mom of Avalee- CP
From: Rockymtnmom2@aol.com
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 07:23:22 EDT
Subject: WoW, what wonderful accomplishments
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
Dear Yvonne,
I applaud your determination and success. You are a great example of the ability and drive that it takes to be heard and be a successful asset to yourself and society. My son Ron who is developmentally disabled is another good example of success and an asset to society working his job as a bus assistant on a special education bus for 17 plus years. Both he and his older brother (Don Jr.) who is physically and neurologically disabled have wonderful knowledge of computer technology that goes far and beyond the knowledge that others ever gain. We work together everyday to advocate and promote this kind of opportunity for others with disabilities.
The fight and success continues.
Sheryle Hutter-Colorado
From: JonsWIL@aol.com
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 19:48:16 EDT
Subject: Bravo!
To: ysinger@worldnet.att.net
How wonderful to hear of your successful fight to be recognized as a
contributing member of the community! Keep fighting the good fight -- you're a shining example of what it can accomplish.
Sylvia Wilson
Denver, Co.