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Sue Scheff recently interviewed the great Jaylen Arnold for examiner.com. Their conversation was so engaging (and so important) that we are reprinting it here in its entirety.
Enjoy!
When Rob Buren broke his back mountain biking last October, he lost more than the use of his legs—he lost the physical confidence his 6-foot-2 frame had always given him.
And though the 38-year-old father of two quickly learned sporting activities such as hand cycling and sit skiing, it wasn’t until he took a new self-defence class for wheelchair-users that he began to feel at ease with his new paralyzed status.
“When you become a paraplegic and are in a chair, physically your world changes. You’re looking up all of a sudden,” he says. “(The class) was a great way for me to get to know my body again, to get comfortable in the chair and to build up a sense of confidence.”
The course, taught at Neuro Core Physiotherapy & Pilates Centre in Richmond Hill, [Ontario] was developed by Grant Murray, a taekwondo black belt, and Rich VanderWal, a recreation therapist at a rehab facility.
Each class begins with … Continue reading this article and watch a corresponding video on thestar.com
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Read Irked posts tagged “wheelchair”
Read Irked posts tagged “sports”
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Back in July, we introduced you to a very, very amazing young man named Jaylen Arnold—who has had Tourette’s Syndrome for most of his nine years. Jaylen’s on a mission to educate the whole world about bullying. (And he’s off to a fantastic start: even Leonardo DiCaprio is a fan!)
Watch this phenomenal video segment that aired last night on the CBS Evening News:
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For more, visit…
jaylenschallenge.org
twitter.com/Jayschallenge
youtube.com/user/jaylenschallenge
Then…
Read Irked posts tagged “bullying”
Read Irked posts tagged “self-esteem”
Watch more Irked videos
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Quoting Laurie Toby Edison and Debbie Notkin, writing on their always-engaging Body Impolitic blog:
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“We’ve been thinking about the story of Alex Lange, which was in the news earlier this month . . . [The Rocky Mountain Health Plans insurance company] didn’t change its mind because it thinks it was wrong: it changed its mind because Alex’s dad works in television.”
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*If you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s a blurb/video that explains the details. And click here to read Laurie and Debbie’s full post.
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You remember Jaylen Arnold, right? Well, he’s back!
Prepare to watch a totally awesome video…after the jump!
The website jaylenschallenge.org is the dream of a wonderful little 8-year-old boy named Jaylen Arnold. Jaylen suffers from Tourette Syndrome. He wants to educate people about bullying, bringing attention to the difficulties he faces in his day to day living. He hopes to make you laugh, make you cry, but most importantly make you aware that those with disabilities are not only normal—but incredibly special people. With your help and support he can spread the word and teach people to help…not bully.
Back in November, we highlighted an extraordinary documentary called Autism: the Musical. The film introduced Neal, Lexi, Henry, Adam and Wyatt—five autistic kids who, along with their parents, take part in a groundbreaking theatrical workshop as part of The Miracle Project. Suffice it to say, the children “defied diagnosed expectations”…by writing, rehearsing and performing their own full-length musical!
Well, Autism: The Musical and The Miracle Project caught the attention of quite a few celebrities, and some Hollywood heavyweights have rolled up their sleeves to get involved.
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s
by John Elder Robison
Also available as a Random House AudioBook and eBook
Julia Barry is the creator, musician, and director of the experimental advocacy program, “In Her Image: Producing Womanhood in America.” She works with high schools, colleges, organizations, community centers, and conferences to promote widespread, public media literacy. A “REALLY Hot” awardee in the 2006 REAL Hot 100 list, Barry has been a featured guest at events such as the National Organization for Women’s Love Your Body Day, the Girl Scout National Leadership Institute, and the Alliance for a Media Literate America’s National Media Education Conference. She was also the 2003 recipient of the Andrea Klein Willison Prize for Poetry/Women’s Advocacy.
If you like Tori Amos, if you like Sarah McLachlan, if you like Joni Mitchell or Enya or Beth Gibbons or Diana Krall…then you will LOVE Julia Barry.
Her lyrics are substantive. She sings from her soul. She can make a piano shiver-and-then-wail. Her vocals have been described as “simultaneously melancholy and sweet.” Sometimes she’s provocative. Always she’s on key.
Her 2002 debut album, Arrivals, is a “storehouse of good songs,” as they say. It’s a magnificent work of art and a glorious work of heart. In addition to her hectic schedule performing live, Julia has also returned to the studio to begin recording her next CD.
FACT: If Julia Barry’s not on your radar yet, she will be soon.
Listen to the track Song For Us Trying, off Arrivals: Click to continue »
