Just about every month of the American calendar uses month long celebrations to bring awareness of an issue, honor an event, or commemorate a cause. March is usually known for Women’s History Month, however, did you know it is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month?!?! I had no idea about this observance, meanwhile I have a brother & son with Autism!! Instituted by President Ronald Regan in 1987, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month urged Americans to provide “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” The goal of this celebration is to bring awareness and provide the chance for people with developmental disabilities to…

COVID-19 hit USA January of 2020 like a wrecking ball. COVID has affected everyone and all aspects of life with no regard. Health, jobs, politics, travel, food, entertainment, housing, leisure, and relationships have all been affected by this virus (to say the least). So, COVID messed up EVERYTHING! Dating is already challenging. Rules and expectations have definitely changed since the early 2000s. NEWS FLASH! Courting and long phone conversations are no longer a thing. Wooing went out of style along with all R&B groups. Say hello to social media, texting and internet slang/acronyms/jargon: w/e, ZZZ, SMH, NVM, ROFL, OMG, and way too many to count. There are a myriad of…

As a young child, my career goal was to become a veterinarian. At the age of 10, I knew I would attend Cornell University, graduate, and help animals in need.  When asked whether my brother would have an effect on my career choice, my answer was always, “No.”   Needless to say, life has a way of changing one’s plans. I attended undergraduate school at Bucknell University, with a  double major in Spanish and Animal  Behavior. Instead of veterinarian school,  I graduated from Long Island University  (LIU; Brooklyn Campus) with my Master’s  in Occupational Therapy. While at LIU, I  received a scholarship from the Department of Education in New York City. In  exchange for tuition payment, I…

For me, I think of it as something that prevents me from accomplishing a goal. Or maybe it’s an obstacle that hinders me from simply being able to participate in an activity that I enjoy or wish to do.  As I step back to observe the most recent events of this year, I reflect that social barriers have been in place since the beginning of time for specific groups such as people of color and undocumented immigrants. However, have we considered another special group? What about individuals with developmental disabilities? As society continues to confront its unrest and turmoil, I know that individuals with developmental disabilities face many of the…

Who doesn’t like money?! I do a little shimmy every time I get paid. Some may define money as the root of all evil. Some may say, “money is not everything.” That may be true, but money can also give you a sense of freedom, empowerment, liberation, and peace of mind. People with disabilities should experience all the wonders of money by having a job. People with disabilities possess many skills; they are qualified and capable of learning new things. Being out in the community, and earning a wage gives them a sense of purpose, pride, and makes them feel like everyone else. I’ve seen people with disabilities working at…

In this post, we discuss how COVID-19 affected people with developmental disabilities. You will read the perspective of Gillian Christian, a physical therapist & co-founder of Ability & Beyond Fitness. You will also read the point of view of a mother, Hope Trent-Mendez. She has an adult son with Autism that lives in a group home. Feel free to comment below & let us know your thoughts regarding this issue. By: Gillian Christian COVID-19 took our country like a whirlwind. Families torn apart, unemployment at a new high, business owners wondering how to save their livelihood, and the death toll at alarming numbers. The new normal became social distancing, wearing…

While stepping “out” into the world may be fun, exciting, and not a thought for most, this is not the case for an individual with a disability, their caretakers and loved ones. The simplest task like buying groceries requires a little creative thinking, strategic planning, and can be nerve-racking. They have to consider accessibility, possible everyday distractions that can trigger a behavior, people’s reactions, and much more before actually getting out there. Sometimes all that preparation falls apart and to an outsider it looks like a three ring circus. How frustrating to get stares, laughter, and/or “tips” on how to behave in public or how to care for your loved…