All Blog Posts
The Story behind "Raising Matty Christian"
April 23, 2014
By Christian de Rezendes, Guest Contributor I have an old friend, and his name is Paul. We both worked in video production separately under our own companies, and after having lost touch over several years, we were coincidentally reconnected by phone. So we spent some time catching up. Two weeks later, Paul calls me again. He says he has some news that he must share with me and proceeds to tell me about a client who has hired him to transfer old VHS home movies to DVD. Having been …
An Epic Fight, an Epic Journey
February 10, 2014
By Lexie Avery, Contributor Can you imagine being fifteen years old and never having left your small hometown? Never having experienced anything beyond the walls of comfort? For Darius Weems, this was his reality. Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that will eventually lead to his early death, Darius had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia due to the struggle it was to get around. Despite this fact, Darius was a bright and happy boy even when the reality of his situ…
Complementary and Holistic Therapies for People with Cerebral Palsy
December 4, 2013
By Virginia Cunningham, Guest Contributor Did you know that approximately 800,000 people in the United States are affected by cerebral palsy? Despite this, we know the potential of the brain is absolutely remarkable and there are many ways to help people with cerebral palsy surpass their current limitations. The sister of one of my friends has cerebral palsy and is the most cheerful person I have ever met, despite needing a walker. She has a great job teaching, is married to a devoted husband, …
“Any Day Now” – Inspired by true events
November 13, 2013
By Danielle Herrmann, Contributor Have you ever had one of those days where there is nothing more appealing than sitting back and watching a good movie? I was recently in this sort of mood myself. And, thankfully, with the aid of that noble boredom-vanquisher, Netflix, I was able to find a film that did so much more than merely entertain. Any Day Now, a 2012 filminspired by true events, tells the story of a gay couple who is fighting to keep custody of a boy with Down syndrome in the 1970s. …
Inclusion: The Joy of Drumming
October 7, 2013
By David Mack-Hardiman, Contributor In a community called Colony Unzen in Nagasaki prefecture in Japan, people who have conditions that are disabling live in residential homes with the support of professionals and neighbors. While some of these individuals formerly lived in institutions, they are now encouraged to live as independently as possible. Several of them started drumming as a form of rehabilitation and recreation. Through constant practice and training, they formed a professional drum…
Valor Becoming An Officer
September 27, 2013
By Thomas Stearns, Researcher Just a couple of days after contacting author John W. Quinn on Facebook, the Museum of disABILITY History received a signed copy of his autobiography Someone Like Me: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy. Inside, the title page contained a hand-written message of pure determination: “Work Hard. Never Give Up. Dream Big!”—words that will undoubtedly serve as a powerful source of inspiration to everyone who visits the museum and encounters…
"An Introspective Journey"
June 14, 2013
By Jewel Kats, Guest Contributor
I believe EVERYTHING in life happens for a reason. The good. The bad. The ugly. Without this combination of experiences you wouldn’t be you. I wouldn’t be me.
Fast-forward to today, and you’ll encounter a woman with disabilities who is confident, bold, outspoken, successful and happy to a fault.
I wasn’t always this way.
…
The Craig Colony
May 29, 2013
By David Mack-Hardiman, Contributor and Douglas Platt, Contributor Nicholas DiGesare, Cemetery Photography The Craig Colony for Epileptics was established in 1894 to meet the needs of New York’s indigent population who had epilepsy. The first patients were admitted in 1896. Craig Colony was constructed on over 1,900 acres using the “cottage plan,” a cluster of smaller buildings rather than one large structure. This institution also began to admit people with intellectual disabilities in 1935. E…