Disability Advocate from Spain Interns with UCP National Office
Allow me to introduce myself... My name is Claudia Tecglen, I am 22 and I have cerebral Palsy.
As you can imagine, life when you have a CP is not easy but I think that any life isn't without its challenges. Don't you agree?
Oh I have overlooked a minor detail about my life. I am from Spain.
I was born in Madrid in the mid-80's. When I was born, my mother felt that something was wrong. I couldn't crawl. I couldn't stand on my own. I couldn't do anything by myself.
Twenty years ago, the Spanish system was very different. Few doctors had knowledge about cerebral palsy so, as you can imagine, it was very difficult to find a proper diagnosis.
I was two-years old when I was diagnosed with CP. Every doctor, up to that point, couldn't properly identify my disability, which frustrated my parents greatly.
Fortunately, my parents had the economic resources that we needed so I could begin many early intervention therapies. My therapy regimen included daily rehabilitation, aquatic-therapy and nearly 20 surgeries throughout my life.
From the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper: My Word: Early Aid Fans Sparks Into Flames
When expecting a baby, people typically are asked, "Do you want a boy or a girl?" Most answer, "I don't care, as long as the baby is healthy."
But one in 10 children have a disability, such as autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, or a speech, vision or hearing impairment. To reach their potential, these children require special education or therapy, or both.
Our community was recently introduced to a talented 7-year-old with autism — Gina Marie Incandela. Gina is the Orlando Magic's good-luck charm. With her belting out the national anthem before all the playoff games, the Magic won each time, and now are Eastern Conference champions. And Gina will be there when the Magic win the NBA Finals against Los Angeles.
Serve.gov & AllForGood.org: Tools to Recruit Volunteers and Much More
Two new resources are available to the United Cerebral Palsy affiliate network and those who support UCP in our local communities. Answering the call of President Obama, two new Web sites now make it easier than ever to volunteer and to advertise volunteering opportunities.
Serve.gov makes it easy for all Americans not only to find ways to serve in their communities, but also to create and promote their own service projects. On the Serve.gov Web site, you can find toolkits, share your story as well as register your service project opportunity; whether it be painting, building or perhaps something to do with online technology, such as the video below demonstrates when recruiting Video Volunteers to help tell your story and why your cause is important.
In addition, Google recently launched a new Web site entitled All for Good, which helps match citizens with volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Inspired by the call of President Obama to engage more Americans in service, All for Good functions similar to Craigslist, but for community service. What makes this different is that "you don't just have to show up at your local soup kitchen or animal shelter to give back volunteering in the 21st century can be done entirely online."
UCP of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley Consumer Spotlight: Meet Chloe
Jennifer and Joseph Bush of Huntsville, Tennessee describe their daughter, Chloe, age 2, as a bright, sweet, loving and determined little girl who is trapped inside of a body that is experiencing muscle atrophy.
Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, a terminal illness, Chloe has endured complete respiratory failure and is now permanently ventilator-dependant. Her muscles are too weak to move, including the facial muscles that once allowed her to smile.
However, Chloe's "muscles continue to get weaker, but her mind remains bright and her intelligence is completely unaffected by the illness," Jennifer explained. "She is my inspiration and she continues to show me and all who meet her that happiness and contentment are all a state of mind."
Have you visited the My Child Without Limits Social Networking Community yet? The community is going strong and to date has over 168 members. Additionally, a few staff members from several UCP Affiliates have joined as well and provide information and advice to familes of young children with special needs. Please sign up and participate. It is a great way to either share your experience to help other parents and care givers and as well as to share information and support each other.
Several discussion topics include:
Getting started
Treatment and therapies
Learning and playing
Help for you and your child's life
Building a support team
Funding your child's care
Advocacy for your child
You can start or reply to a discussion topic, create a journal, or even post a video. The possible topics to engage and exchange ideas about are "without limits."
Founded in 1948 to help people with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a pivotal advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP is dedicated to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
Work makes Hennefer an All-Star Courier-Post Online Philadelphia,PA,USA 6/30/09 But the biggest Phillies all-star is likely to be Brad Hennefer.
Wheelchairs Of The Future To Be Controlled By Thought Disability Scoop USA 6/30/09 If you think it, it will move. That’s the idea behind new wheelchair technology from Toyota which responds to commands from a user’s brain waves.
Health Care Reform: People With Disabilities Left Behind? Public News Service (Audio) Jefferson City,MO,USA 6/25/09 As the national health care debate heats up, people with disabilities are wondering where they fit into the reform proposals when it comes to long-term care. » Act Now «
Court Affirms Reimbursement for Special Education New York Times New York,NY,USA 6/22/09 In a decision that could help disabled students obtain needed services and cost school districts millions of dollars, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday that parents of special-education students may seek government reimbursement for private school tuition, even if they have never received special-education services in public school.
Pittsburgh stands in world disability rights spotlight Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh,PA,USA 6/17/09 Disability rights leaders from the European Union and around the United States met on the University of Pittsburgh campus to discuss a United Nations treaty on the rights of people with disabilities and to exchange information about access to the built environment, information technology and transportation.
Cerebral Palsy Can't Keep Pitcher Down ABC News (Video) Manchester,CT,USA 6/13/09 Despite his disability, Mark, 17, has been a sturdy performer for Manchester's varsity team this year.
268 punished for abusing disabled in Texas Associated Press Dallas,TX,USA 6/12/09 Nearly 270 employees were fired or suspended for abusing or neglecting residents of large, state-run institutions for the mentally disabled in Texas, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.
All smiles for camp Andalusia Star-News Andalusia,AL,USA 6/11/09 Kayla's first camping experience will be at Camp SMILE near Mobile, managed by United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile.
What 'access' really means The Boston Globe Boston,MA,USA 6/9/09 Public Health officials have long recognized - and tried to eliminate - the sharp disparities in health among racial and ethnic minorities. But there is another group as well that ranks well below average on many measures of health: people with disabilities.
Democrats Look To Expand Disability Services CBS News New York,NY,USA 6/8/09 Expanding federal assistance for people with disabilities is a matter of civil rights, a Democratic senator said Monday one that must be addressed through the overhaul of the nation's health care system currently underway in Congress.
Disability 101: Equal — not special Summit Daily News Frisco,CO,USA 6/7/09 A few months ago, I attended a workshop on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and employment. This workshop was directed toward employers and covered employer responsibilities under the ADA.
Martial arts helps children with disabilities ABC 7 (Video) Chicago,IL,USA 6/6/09 Karate is more than kicking. It improves the mind and bodies of children, and that is especially important for kids with disabilities.
People with disabilities can learn about public policy Austin Daily Herald Austin,MN,USA 6/6/09 People with disabilities and the parents of young children with developmental disabilities may be able to participate in a pioneering leadership program that gives direction on how to influence public policy and be an effective advocate.
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