All Blog Posts in "Disabilities Breaking Barriers"
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 …
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.
…
My Emotional Adventure Fighting Bullying in Buffalo, NY
November 20, 2012
By Jesse Saperstein, Esteemed Guest Contributor On Thursday, October 4, 2012, I had the privilege of delivering a lecture at the University of Buffalo. The lecture was part of the "disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series," an annual event hosted by People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History. People Inc. is the parent company of the Museum of disABILITY History.
Curator Doug Platt leads Jesse Saperstein on a tour of the Museum.A man named Doug gave me a tour of the Muse…
Henry Wesley
September 21, 2012
By Jenna DelSignore, Contributor The Museum of disABILITY History (Buffalo, NY) had the honor of hosting the self-advocacy speaker and former Willowbrook resident Henry Wesley on August 9, 2012. Henry gave his famous presentation on the journey of his life from his time and survival at Willowbrook, through his achievements and adventures of the current time. Henry gave his presentation with his Dynavox speaking device which was accompanied by a picture slide show presentation that he control…
“Breaking Barriers for Disability: Breaking Bad’s RJ Mitte”
July 25, 2012
By Osiris Gomez, Contributor I speak for many in my generation when I say there is significant buzz around UB’s campus surrounding America’s edgiest TV series Breaking Bad. It’s not your American Idol, your Seinfeld, and your Grey’s Anatomy. It defies everything. That might be why the major syndicates, ABC, NBC, or FOX wanted nothing to do with it. But people love this show. Despite airing on AMC, it has attracted a huge following from fans and critics alike. Since its creation by Vince Gilliga…