YAB GAB - ON THE BLOG

At one time in my high school life, I had to develop a lot of confidence. I had to set a boundary between myself and a friend who used to make me feel so small as a disabled person. It was tough, but I had to do it, and I was scared of what to say. However, before confronting her, I rehearsed what I wanted to say with my parents. This gave me enough courage to stand up for myself. After our conversation, I felt a whole lot better. It is never easy to set a boundary, but it was an eye-opener about the importance of my feelings and that I deserved to be loved and respected.  In hindsight, I have realized that confidence does not necessarily mean boldness. Being confident is doing the things you are afraid of doing simply because it is the right thing to do. To build confidence, it is good to start small. Practice the things you are going to say. Seek assistance from someone you trust. Have confidence in yourself. The more you stand up for yourself, the more confident you become. ...

Maraya Asks- “What was it like to be on a youth panel at the 23rd Annual Back to School Meeting?” Interviewer: Maraya, YAB Youth Engagement Coordinator Interviewee: Bella, Youth Leader & Self-Advocate  On Monday, September 14th, Bella performed a song she wrote at the 23rd Annual Bureau of Special Education Back to School Meeting.  Also, Bella participated in the opening plenary session as well as an afternoon breakout session along with peers, including Maraya. Maraya: " W hat was it like for you getting to share your real-life experiences na vigating through school with the educational leaders and districts ?"

  By Lily Watkins, Youth Advisory Board Intern I learned early on in life that to have a successful educational experience despite challenges in the classroom, I would need to make sure my environment and the tools I have access to are most suitable for me. My cane allows me to move freely and avoid obstacles in the crowded halls of the school, while high-contrast environments and screen readers let me experience the digital world around me by converting text to sound or organized, easy-to-read text. The removal of unnecessary obstacles like clutter helps to free up my mental energy, and organization is key to making sure that I can always find and use my supplies with as little hassle as possible. With these tools, I can make sure that I am in full control of my education and dedicated to learning. Essential Tools & Supplies for School Success: Assistive Technology: A computer with accessible software such as screen readers and high-contrast visual display tools. Mobility: A w...

By-Lily I see myself supporting others in the future. One of my biggest dreams is to become a public speaker. I am very passionate about advocacy, especially ensuring that children and individuals with disabilities are heard, included, and valued. I want to use my voice and my experiences to inspire people, to raise awareness, and to create positive change in my own community and beyond. In the following year, I hope to continue to build my confidence and skills as a leader and advocate. I want to become more involved with speaking opportunities, community events, and Youth Advisory Board activities. I want to learn new skills that will help me in the future, such as communication, organization, and independence. I want to continue to build positive relationships with those who support and encourage me to achieve my goals. In five years, I hope to be living independently, continuing my work as a public speaker and advocate. Living independently is very important to me because I want to...

By Emily Ball Image of Emily holding diploma wearing a graduation cap & gown When I was in high school, I always aspired to go to college. However, my special ed math teacher suggested I set my sights on being a Wal*Mart greeter instead. Just because I had a bubbly personalit y and used a wheelchair, which was all I amounted to, I wanted to prove her wrong, so I di d. It made me feel embarrassed and I was shocked that an adult, esp ecially a special education teacher coul d say such a horrible statement to a dis abled student. Since being a panelist on many Youth Advisory Board panels over the years, I have had the ability to recount this story to various audiences, but their reaction always had a common thread of shock and horror.   After graduating high school, I was not ready to jump into the traditional courseload of college, so I reluctantly enrolled in Gateway Community College’s Step Forward transition program . Academically, it helped because I was ...

Picture of Maraya outdoors in rose colored flee c e As the school year comes to a close for many of us, I wanted to introduce myself, as well as reflect on how incredible this school year has been, and the many lessons it brought.   My name is Maraya, and I am the new Youth Engagement Coordinator at  CPAC. Being a youth myself, as well as having plenty of lived experience, I am deeply passionate about self-advocacy, youth voice, independence, and empowering others to develop pride in who they are.   Since working for CPAC, I have had some awesome conversations with the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members, and am excited to see what new and exciting things we get into moving forward.   Aside from working at CPAC, I am also currently a student at a CT State Community College. That being said, I can’t help but reflect on all the insightful lessons and experiences this experience has brought my way. This school year has been one full of growth, lessons...

On Monday mornings, I would hop off my school bus, glowing with enthusiasm and sporting a massive smile, eager to greet any teacher who would listen to my weekend stories. I would approach them and say, "Wanna know something?" This was my catchphrase; in fact, I used it so often that my parents and my special education reading teacher jokingly threatened to buy matching t-shirts with my photo and the phrase on them. The topic didn't matter—whether it was about cave exploration or how the Vanderbilt kids spent their summers in Rhode Island—I had learned something, felt smart, and wanted to share it. Feeling smart was tough as a student with dyslexia. Frustration with reading, speech, and math came often. My parents were aware of this, so on weekends and holidays, we explored unfamiliar places, had new experiences, and learned through hands-on activities. I was like the sponges I saw at the Mystic Aquarium, soaking up nutrients to survive. In my case, those nutrients were ...

September is hydrocephalus awareness month. Hydrocephalus is a chronic, neurological condition that is caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that protects the brain and spinal cord. Most children and adults who have hydrocephalus (like me) have a valve placed in their head called a shunt that drains the fluid directly into their abdomen or heart. Out of the twenty-six surgeries I have had, many were shunt malfunctions. My hydrocephalus was caused by a brain bleed I had at birth. I was born three months early. Another challenge was I had two shunt replacement surgeries within a short period before I began ninth grade. That was a very challenging because it made the start of my high school experience more difficult than others. Living with hydrocephalus is particularly challenging during certain weather conditions like rain or storms because I get awful headaches. Having a condition lik...