A Failure SYSTEM

I need to find a new place to live as soon as possible.  I am living with a relative but I can’t stay for a long period.

For years I have been receiving services from the Division of Development Disabilities in New Jersey (DDD). I contact DDD regarding to this problem and I asked them for help.  Unfortunately the process is taking too long.

I mailed the following letter that to my case manager from DDD back in the summer.  They were aware of the situation before the letter was written.

On September 1 20010, my parents will be moving back to the Dominican Republic (DR). Once they leave I will not have a place to stay.   Since the DR lack of resources for people with disabilities to attend school I can’t move back with my parents.   I also have student loans to pay. Financial aid doesn’t cover my entire tuition.

Since I moved to New Jersey at age fifteen, I have accomplished a lot of goals. Months after I moved, I was placed in Cerebral Palsy Center in Clifton.  The major focus of the school was to teach the students independent skills how to prepare a meal, clean a room, count money and so on.

At that time, my mother and I didn’t have any idea of what school I should go to. I was evaluated by the child study team of the district. According to them I should attend a special school.

Later on, my mother and I got involved in an advocacy group for parents with kids with disabilities. Five years later, thanks to my mother and the parents’ advocacy group we found out that I was placed in the wrong school. I transferred to a regular high school.

But my age was my biggest obstacle. I was already 20 years old and the limit age is 21.  We requested permission to the board education

In high school I had the opportunity to improve academically. Since the freshman year most of my reports cards were “As” and “Bs.” I graduated from high school on the honor roll.

After graduation I attended Passaic County College. I started taking ESL courses English As a Second Language because my English was a little poor. I had difficulties with class schedule, homework and I felt frustrated as a result, I dropped out of college.

Then I tried to find a job. The only job that I found was working in a workshop for people with disabilities but I didn’t feel happy to be working there. I wanted to do other types of work such as computer data, receptionist or file clerk. I was told that I didn’t qualify for that type of job. A year later I stopped working at the workshop.

I went back to college to complete the courses that I needed it. I took one or two courses per semester. One of my English professors became my mentor. Thanks to my family and his support I was able to success in college. While I was there my mentor encouraged to write personal essays, poems, articles and doing translations from Spanish to English. I didn’t know that my writing skills is strong. I also completed the ESL Program and took college level courses.

On May 2009, I graduated with an associate in liberal arts. On September first I transfered to William Paterson University. Now I am communication major. Also last year, I worked as intern for the state of New Jersey.

Avatar – A broomstick stuck through the spokes in a wheelchair.

By Professirx

Take a look at these 3 videos. This is what inspired me to write this blog.

http://www.facebook.com/l/38c78;www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OyrXd-uZRE

http://www.facebook.com/l/38c78;www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ1Z9-Hdmrs

http://www.facebook.com/l/38c78;www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbD8QVNuXZM

OK,I said, ”Let me check out this movie, finally someone with a disability is in a box office smash.” Boy was I wrong. I spent 2 hours waiting to get to the point of why this paraplegic was involved in this virtual world. Was he going to find a cure and walk at the end. Why did he even have to be paralyzed for this story. I never got to understand the impact his paralysis was going to inspire. Oh sure, I must be a hermit because I didn’t even know this guy has been in other movies and to my surprise, he can walk.WTF . I need to watch moves more. Yea right. Outside of the disability issue in the media, the movie is pretty dam good but this is bullshit. The actor is a great actor, but the role could of been played by a real paraplegic. Sigourney Weaver was suffice enough to draw an audience.

But Professir X, if the actor was really paralyzed, how could he could do all that running and jumping.

Dude, it was a computer generated image, the flesh and blood man only spent 10 minutes in this film. Did you not see the video where Christopher Reeve walked, that was superimposed.

OK my point is this. with today’s technology, anything’s possible, able or disable. I don’t know about you, but disability is the new Black. The media is discriminating us from our human rights to get a fair chance. I Rallied for Stem Cell, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act and other causes , I found an organization who’s mission is to help aspiring disable actors get into the media. I wrote them last year, haven’t received a reply yet, hey give them some time , they may be busy on their own agenda huh.

Well 2010 wasn’t a year I wait on a phone to ring before I move. I will always rank as soldier, Christopher Reeve will forever be General, but my mission for 2010 is to collaborate with as many others as possible. Make our own and share it all over the world. We have the Internet, you can get a camera for under 200.00, get you ideas on video and upload it all over the web. I truly have to thank the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, they made it possible for me to continue to bring awareness for Spinal Cord Injury. I also thank Leroy Moore for his work with Krip Hop. Bringing aspiring artist together and not waiting on a so called Hollywood decision.

If anyone with a disability is interested in collaborating. Read this article and send me your material.

http://www.facebook.com/l/38c78;communities.kintera.org/REEVE/forums/thread/68794.aspx

Krip Hop Part I