celebrating differences within the special needs community
Pistorius (right) with three athletes representing South Africa in the Summer Olympics [by Brandon Wiggins] When Oscar Pistorius was born with fibular hemimelia — defective leg bones — his parents faced a difficult decision. They could have doctors amputate both of Oscar’s legs below his knees or have him spend his life in a wheelchair. […]
Standardized tests are stressful, no doubt about that. Students feel the pressure to perform well in order to get scores high enough for the college of their dreams. In an effort to take some of this stress away, testing companies are allowing special accommodations for students with learning disabilities. Here’s a closer look at those […]
Angela Swanson (right) with father Jeffrey. Swanson’s father is a major figure of support as she comes to terms with disability. How to come to terms with disability, love who you are and let people in. [by Melanie Johnson] Nick Vujicic, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of […]
Q&A: We spoke to registered dietitian, health and wellness coach, and mom Debbie Jongkind about living with celiac disease. Here’s what she had to say about adapting to gluten-free life: What is it? Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack itself if gluten is ingested. This causes an inability to […]
When Alice-Lyle Hickson’s youngest son, William, was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in 2007, a year after he was born, she wasn’t sure where to turn. [by Florence Bryan] Hickson, who lives in Columbia, S.C., worried it would be difficult to find a support system of families who also have children with mitochondrial disease. With two […]
Actor and star of Glee, Lauren Potter, with her castmates after winning an Emmy [by Melanie Johnson] Being a working actor in Hollywood is difficult enough, but an actor with a disability may face even more of a challenge to land an agent, audition or job. Sometimes an actor with a disability, namely Breaking Bad’s […]
Philip (left) and mother Jane (right) Blount, founders of the Bridges Program of Philips Academy [by Brandon Wiggins]
college students with intellectual disabilitiesCreate your own infographics [by Margaret Croom] Think College! 1. Research: Postsecondary education for the intellectually disabled is still relatively new. As such, Think College conducts research to better understand how to help students be more successful in their education at a higher level. Students, parents and teachers all participate in […]
What effect does the language we use have on others? Bullies aren’t the only ones using hurtful language. Although, we may not intentionally use hurtful language, everyday words we use might create labels that leave people with disabilities feeling unfairly excluded. A label is a word or phrase used to describe a person or group […]
Sisters Cassie (left) and Coco (right) Ferguson Ten-year-old Coco Ferguson proudly waves a spiral notebook in the air. “I drew Reshiram,” she says with a grin. On the page in front of her is a black-and-white sketch of the draconian Pokémon. For Coco, formally called Kristen, life’s greatest pleasure is allowing her imagination to take […]