A Behind the Mic Reflection: World Cerebral Palsy Day 2012

Cerebral Palsy: An umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development, chiefly in the various areas of body movement.  Wow, that's the dictionary definition used to describe people with Cerebral Palsy!  I mean really.... what's up with "non-contagious motor conditions" as part of the definition?  The things that are contagious about me are my laughter, my smile, my humor, my hugs, my heart, my imagination, my need to be with friends and family (btw, I cherish these relationships deeply.  They have kept me level and focused and able to deal with the changing landscape of my cerebral palsy).  My love affair with news is extremely contagious...(I know it is in my blood... I'm just sure of it!).  What about my excitement to try new things and my desire to travel the world?  I want to be an actress, live in New York City, work at CNN (Anderson Cooper will think I'm FANTASTIC!) :))  I love to meet new people and I'm really interested in who they are.  Encouraging people is my forte.  When I see a friend with a tired, sad, at their wits end expression on their face, I love to turn it into laughter and a smile!  All of these aspects to my personality make me proud of who I am.  But, I'm even more proud that I didn't let all the hardships and struggles that CP has tried to beat me down with, squash my spirit!

Have I always been this positive?  NO.  I was hit like a ton of bricks ten years ago and thought my life was over... that I was worth absolutely nothing!  I was shocked, I mean, I went from this carefree, high spirited girl to this shell of a person that, when I looked in the mirror I didn't even recognize the reflection staring back at me!  I was shattered, my heart broken...all the hopes, dreams and goals I thought were right in front of me were actually miles away, and it would take a tremendous amount of work to get there!  As I look back now, even though the journey was hard, and trust me, some days it still IS,  I have learned to love myself day by day and appreciate my own unique way of accomplishing my goals. (And the people who have helped me get to those goals - you all know who you are, and I thank you from the very depths of my heart!).   So, to all of you who may be going through this journey of self-discovery - I am here to tell you, you can do it!!  It will make you stronger, better and more resilient.  Rely on those who love you and feed and nurture your potential, and never let negative thoughts cloud the beautiful person you know you are!!  Don't let the disability define you.  YOU define what's possible even with the disability...  With your incredible ABILITIES!!! :)      

So, on this Cerebral Palsy Day 2012, even though the actual day is now distant,  I leave you with this: Educate, Empower, Inspire - Show  everyone how Brillant you are!!

Michelle Fischer is the host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by the Arc of Indiana

Assistive Technology know how with Wade Wingler!

Wade Wingler got into assistive technology when, as a 10 year old kid, he obtained his first computer.  Even at that early age he was able to take the leap into writing software. As he grew up, he had the privilege of watching his friends and family work with people with disabilities.  Later, he studied social work and sociology in college.  After explaining this, Wade told me "My story stopped being interesting at that point."   But, as I listened to him further, I realized that his story doesn't stop being interesting at all!  In fact, his story just keeps getting better!

Twenty years ago, it all started with a reply to a newspaper ad seeking someone who could: Teach people with disabilities how to use computers. With his interest peaked, he applied and became,  Director of Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads,  and you can tell he enjoys every single minute!  Technology has made a major switch from the DOS computers to now having Google Driverless Cars, Iphones, and IPADs....  For many of us, the technology boggles the mind, but not for a tech savvy guy like Wade! :)   In fact, after I interviewed him,  he excitedly told me that he had a check in his pocket and was going to make the grueling trip to the Apple Store to buy IPADS for the Easter Seals Equipment Lending Library!  Truth be told, the trip was not going to be grueling for him at all!!  As the field of technology transformed, Wade decided he didn't want to keep this vital information about assistive technology to himself.  That's when the podcast known as Assistive Technology Update was born!  The idea for the podcast came from the fact that as Wade says, "There was always so much assistive technology news coming across my desk, I got to thinking, how can we share this information?"  

A weekly podcast keeping you up to date on the latest developments in the world of Assistive Technology for people with disabilities?  Yes, please!!  The half hour show is produced every week, filled with latest news, interviews, show notes and much more!  Listeners from all over the world have tapped into this all access look in to the world of assistive technology!  What an impact this podcast has on those in need of assistive technology!  

The podcast is the best of both worlds for this podcast host because it offers him the ability to be "a little bit social worker and a little bit nerd."  Wade is a great guy to meet and a perfect host for this podcast!  If you haven't listened to the podcast, I encourage you to do so.  It is a wonderful resource for the the disability community and beyond!

Thank you Wade for answering the newspaper ad twenty years ago - all your efforts are making a difference in people's lives and making our lives easier to live!  Thank you!  Thank you to Easter Seals Crossroads as well, for being forward thinking people and continuing to show that people with disabilities are people, with potential to accomplish great things, with support from people like you!

"Hi Everybody this is Michelle Fischer, host of A View from My Window and this is your Assistive Technology Update, Via Behind the Mic"

Listen in to my interview with Wade at the link below: /www.arcind.org/upload/media/A%20View%20into%20Assistive%20Technology%20with%20Wade%20Wingler.mp3

Michelle Fischer is the host of A View from my Window, a podcast produced by the Arc of Indiana

Listen to Wade's Podcast, Assistive Technology Update here:  /atupdate.libsyn.com/

Jumping into the Twitter-sphere! (tweet, tweet!!)

Twitter is complicated! So thought my brain :)

The plunge into Twitter has been a long time coming.  Why, you ask?  It was due to my own thinking that it was going to be too complicated.  Trust me, it happened with Facebook, too.  Fear of the unknown and getting accustomed to "the lay of the social media land".  Hashtags, @symbols, tweets..... What if I put a hashtag in the wrong spot in a tweet?  Or what if I don't put the @ symbol in the tweet that let's a person know I'm talking to them?  Will they feel ignored?  What in the world is a retweet?  Is it loud?  Will someone be offended if I retweet something that is now old news, but to me, is something I think looks cool?   Kinda like....if a friend of yours goes to the mall and buys a hip dress and then you go to the mall two weeks later, and realize the next time you see your friend that you have the EXACT SAME DRESS!!  (gasp!!)  HA!...Ok, Twitter for me, wasn't quite life-altering, but it was much easier then I thought it was going to be and REALLY fun!  I have met and connected with a lot of nice people so far, and hope to keep connecting more and more!

I'm an internet podcast show host of a podcast called AView from My Window.  The podcast takes you inside the lives of people with disabilities. Their stories in their own words, the services they receive, and the organizations that help make their lives better through their advocacy and hard work!  I'll tell you more about how AView from My Window got it's start in another blog post, but that's why Twitter has come into the life of this podcast show host and I'm certainly glad I get to share the podcast with all of you!  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I love hosting!   It's truly a dream job!

I'm Michelle Fischer, Host of AView from My Window....and I have entered the TWITTER-SPHERE!!!!! (Tweet, Tweet) :)

This Twitter-shere is not like Facebook!?!
WHOA......

If you forget this when talking to someone, will they feel ignored?!?!

Special Olympics State Games- More then just sports...

In life,  it can be all too easy to get caught up in the everyday goings on, the routine things.  Life can be tough... and that's why it's so important to look for the silver lining and learn from others.  The Special Olympics State Games in Terre Haute, Indiana on June 2nd, 2012 at Indiana State University, was an event that did just that!  Disabilities disappear and athletes are refreshed and revived!   Sports provide the starting line of self improvement, confidence, determination and discipline.  What makes the Special Olympics State Games such a feel good event in addition to sports, is the people behind the scenes - people who give of their time, energy and resources to make sure that a CAN DO spirit lives at these games every year!  One of the highlights for me is hearing what makes the athletes proud to be a Special Olympian! Their faces glow!!

President/CEO Mike Furnish and Board Chairman Buzz Lail

Another highlight is talking to President/CEO Mike Furnish (and its not just because he told me this year that talking to me was the best 15 minutes he has :) Mike is one of the most dedicated people I have seen directing an organization like this!  His heart and soul show on his sleeve when he talks about Special Olympics!  This year, along with Mike, I met a new friend, Buzz Lail - Special Olympics board chairman.  Buzz is a dedicated amateur athlete who has competed in triathlons and many more sports.  And when I asked Buzz what athletes take for granted sometimes, he didn't hesitate to say with confidence, "The ability to do it tomorrow.  When I was younger, I didn't understand that I would have limitations and that they would change over time.  I knew it, but didn't understand it.  Our athletes come into these games with apparent limitations, and they know that those limitations will change over time,  just like the rest of us, but they face their limitations bravely".   I liked Buzz the second we started the interview because Buzz sees every athlete as a talent in their events, and just as good an athlete as he is.....the SAME.....Thank you Buzz....you warmed my heart by your comments and your commitment to Special Olympics!!

Interviewing Olympic Runner, Andrew Peterson 

Special Olympics Indiana strives to provide, what Mike says is, "a you can atmosphere" which translates into a person's mindset and attitude, along with a feeling of support which allows the disability to disappear and the person and who they really are to shine through - the transformation is unbelievable!  Thank you Mike for inviting me to experience the transformation of people's lives that is known as Special Olympics!!

Buzz said it best: " Some sports may get your body or your feet, but Special Olympics gets your heart....it gets all of you."  I invite you to experience Special Olympics for yourself....you will be glad you did....I'm sure glad I experienced it....it always brings a smile to my heart!

For more information on Special Olympics and Special Olympics Indiana go to: www.soindiana.org

Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced by The Arc of Indiana