Just a Brief Post :) — A Re-blog

Published October 3, 2016 by Nan Mykel

Hi guys! I can’t believe I haven’t posted since March 30th! That’s terrible. But recently, I’ve been missing this community more than ever. It’s so comforting to read extracts of like-minded people’s lives, to know that there’s always someone out there who has the same similarities, both dreams and fears.

I’ve decided now, I’m going to study Neuroscience at University after I start College in September and take my A-Levels. It is the science that could save us all. I believe in it, and I trust it.

I have faith in just the same way that I truly believe that anyone can change and shape the world for the better-even in the smallest of ways-and that’s what I intend to. I want to nurse the planet back to happiness.

People say that’s naive, which maybe it is, but just because something is hard to achieve, that doesn’t mean we should…

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I STAND CORRECTED, AFTER 45 YEARS

Published October 3, 2016 by Nan Mykel

The following is from the site Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com site, Nick is 22 years old and has Down syndrome and autism. This is his world, the rest of us are just trying to keep up! Post signed by Teresa in recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month:

Since this is about awareness, it is important to educate people on the appropriate language that should be used. People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first.

Do NOT say:

*”A Down syndrome baby or child.”

*”Down’s baby or child”

*”Down’s”

*”He has Downs”

Instead say: “A child with Down syndrome”. Finally it should be said “Down” and NOT “Down’s.” Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it.

My son Nick is 22 years old, and has Down syndrome and autism. I’ve heard all of these incorrect phrases over the years. Please help me educate the public on the proper way to refer to a person with Down syndrome. Thank you for reading and spreading awareness about Down syndrome. That’s what is in my noggin this week.

~Teresa

Tricky Miss Arveson

Published October 3, 2016 by Nan Mykel

IT WAS IN THE NINTH GRADE THAT OUR TEACHER MISS ARVESON played a trick on us. She taught us “October’s Bright Blue Weather,” and told the class we would forget it. I resisted looking it up for this post, so I’ll just share what I do recall:

OCTOBER’S BRIGHT BLUE WEATHER

goldtree

O suns and skies and flowers of June,

and ______ of June together,

you cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

_________________________

Now I look it up:

Oh suns and skies and clouds of June,

and flowers of June together,

you cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

MANY MORE VERSES, by Helen Hunt Jackson

Shadow Dialogue

Published October 1, 2016 by Nan Mykel

femaleangels

I keep trying to get organized, and in the process come across material I’ve forgotten about. Here’s one. Now I can throw that piece of paper away!

Nan: I am Nan. Shadow, are you there?

Shadow: Right here, baby.

Nan: What name do you go by?

Shadow: I am known by many names.

Nan: What shall I call you?

Shadow: Mom.

Nan: You’re not my mother!

Shadow: No, I said “Mum.” You can call me “Yes, Mum!”

Nan: You quit pushing me around! I won’t yes Mum or no Mum you! Perhaps I’ll name you!

Shadow: You presume?

Nan: Damn tootin’. I’ll call you–

Shadow: Matilda.

Nan: Oh, all right. Matilda. Waltzing Matilda?

Shadow: Hardly.

Nan: We’re supposed to be talking about robbing and getting robbed.

Shadow: Yeah, right, big time Nan the gun moll. Who ya been robbing lately, baby?

Nan: You’re rude, crude, and thoroughly unattractive. I thought you were haughty and condescending and filthy rich.

Shadow: Thanks, and I am, Po’ mouth!

Nan: You robbed me!

Shadow: Moi?

Nan: You took away my meanness, my lay-it-on-the-lineness, my sraightness.

Shadow: Moi?

Nan: Damn tootin’.

Shadow: You’re sounding a little vulgar yourself. By the bye, baby, who did YOU rob?

Nan: Uh…

Shadow: Come on, come on, we haven’t got all day. The teacher is going to blow the whistle in a minute.

Nan: Yeah, she’s asked two more questions and…

Shadow: Slow poke. Honestly, you dirty misfit. Black sheep of the family!

Nan: I’M the nice one. YOU’RE the bad one!

Shadow: I’m bored with you.

Nan: Who did I rob? I robbed myself, and gave myself away.

Shadow: Rattle rattle, hear my chains.

Nan: MY chains.

Shadow: Our chains. But you are dirty, a sissy, boring, teacher’s pet, dull, a non-entity: A crumb. Crumby!

Nan: You hush. I’m going to devour you!

Shadow: Now you’re talking like me!

Metaphors to Go

Published September 30, 2016 by Nan Mykel

sadowl Back in school (and therapy) I learned that metaphors are much richer in information than just the word given. In a group, for instance, saying “I feel depressed” isn’t quite as vivid as saying “I feel like sand bags are tied to my feet.” But wait–using “like” makes it a similie, doesn’t it! Well, similies are okay too. Which is a back door way of telling you how I feel right now: “like” a honeycomb devoid of honey. I can see I’m going to have to go and make a collage to fill up my honeycomb.

Was I Hacked on Face Book or What?

Published September 29, 2016 by Nan Mykel

Late on 9/28/16 I responded to a friend’s video of birds eating together at a feed bowl. I was asked for a one-word response and I wrote “Awesome.” Then my words got overlaid by “Russia is awesome. We love Russia.” ??? When I went back to see if the inserted remark was still there I couldn’t find the video. Maybe Face Book deleted the whole posting???

It’s Like This, Officer…

Published September 27, 2016 by Nan Mykel

Very Near Tears

Published September 25, 2016 by Nan Mykel

I am very near tears when imagining what lies ahead for the zika mosquito babies.

A rally was held in Gallipolis, Ohio Thursday in support of the staff and residents of the Gallipolis Developmental Center who are falling prey to the mis-used power of some elected state officials. My daughter Sallie, visiting from Atlanta, captured most of the speeches on video for Kaleidoscope, the Athens public access cable 23 show. It will play on You tube after awhile. I can only share some of the primary concerns of residents at GDC and their families.

The tape will run the next two weeks on Access, listed as Kaleidoscope.

CONCERNS:

A state developmental center near Dayton and one near Youngstown will close entirely by July 1, 2017, and while the state legislature passed a bill to provide an Oversight Committee to insure that the process of transition from these centers be safe and in the resident’s best interests, GOVERNOR KASICH VETOED it.

The group homes won’t have the same level of essential services provided currently. Staff training is minimal and staff turnover robust. (The “second family” concept will not develop.)

There will be no cameras required to follow the safety of residents. (In the state facilities there are cameras in public areas to protect residents and staff,)

Families, guardians and residents have been led to believe that if dissatisfied with a new group home after leaving GDC, they can choose to return to GDC. This is not now the case. (One of these sad cases is current).

An impending firing of 32 GDC staff has been announced, with half of them being re-hired part-time.

Allegedly EMS has had to visit one group home with narcan for a staff member who overdosed on street drugs at work.

The residents’ workshop has been moved out of Gallia county, requiring an hour and half round trip to a different county.

Parents and guardians were told that if the resident doesn’t decide to go now, the best group homes would be filled, and only the least desirable ones will be available.

“Deinstitutionalization.-There is a nationwide trend towards deinstitutionalization of patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities in favor of community-based settings. The Department [of Justice] is strongly urged to continue to factor the needs and desires of patients, their families, caregivers, and other stakeholders, as well as the need to provide proper settings for care, into its enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” ( Conference Report to accompany H.R. 83, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Division B, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies) (Pub.L. 113-235, December 16, 2014)

At the community level in Athens, one of the reasons for closing the ATCO sheltered workshop which has served the community for decades, was Medicaid, “segregation” (!!) , and “access to the community” (!!).

“Creating a disjointed, fragmented, and incredibly costly system of small house settings will only increase the difficulty of providing care, community experiences, and choice for the 6,800 developmentally disabled Ohioans. In fact, this is likely to result in the opposite of community integration — isolation.” (See vor.net)

“Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are far too frequently finding life-sustaining services pulled out from under them by agencies charged with the duty to protect them – namely state departments of developmental disabilities and protection and advocacy organizations. They attempt to use the law as a weapon against the community of people with disabilities instead of the tonic it is meant to be. ” (Caroline A. Lachman at vor.net)

We were very fortunate 45 years ago when my Downs daughter was born into a supportive, caring society, as opposed to today…and tomorrow?

Speakers urged EVERYONE to telephone Gov. Kasich once a day for 30 days to support the establishment of the Oversight Committee which the state legislature passed:

1-614-466-3555 day or night

Neurotypical Awareness

Published September 23, 2016 by Nan Mykel

I had no idea. Thanks for sharing.

Autism and Expectations

Being diagnosed late in life has meant that I’ve needed to learn a lot about a new subject that I didn’t know applied to me. I’ve read personal accounts written by autistic people, I’ve read research papers, I’ve looked into coping mechanisms – and mostly found that I’ve built my own solutions over the years without realising what I was doing. Trial and error were my constant companions.

Learning about what being autistic is, means that I can see the links between my behaviours and motivations for what they really are. Neurotypical motivations don’t apply to me, I don’t work like that.

It’s been a journey of acceptance and understanding that has increased my quality of life exponentially.

I listen to myself more. I recognise my needs. I don’t always do the things that would stop overload, but I’m aware of the consequences, I rock if I need to rock…

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poetry lurks outside my window–dVerse Open Link Night

Published September 23, 2016 by Nan Mykel

Perfect.

Victoria C. Slotto, Author

poetry lurks outside my window

i
chickadees surprise
tree branches alive with dance
then only stillness

ii
outside my window
leaves don foliage for death
so many unknowns

iii
leaves—gold crimson bright
each one a work of beauty
too many ignored

iv
cupped, catching the rain
curled leaf-maws hold pure water
life-source for our thirst

v
what seems like dying
leaves fallen to earth in heaps
promises rising

vi
bare branches reach out
offer their fruit to wax wings
satin loveliness

Photo: David Slotto Cedar Wax Wing

This is the day we get to play with poetry, any form, any topic, for dVerse Open Link Night, and I hope to see you there.

Autumn has crept in. This morning 37 degrees and windy and I had to cut short my walk, letting my North Dakota-born husband finish the route with the dogs. By the end of the week, it’s…

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Since this is about awareness, it is important to educate people on the appropriate language that should be used. People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first.

Do NOT say:

*”A Down syndrome baby or child.”

*”Down’s baby or child”

*”Down’s”

*”He has Downs”

Instead say: “A child with Down syndrome”. Finally it should be said “Down” and NOT “Down’s.” Down syndrome is named for the English physician John Langdon Down, who characterized the condition, but did not have it.

~Teresa

Share this: Reblog, Like

IT WAS IN THE NINTH GRADE THAT OUR TEACHER MISS ARVESON played a trick on us. She taught us “October’s Bright Blue Weather,” and told the class we would forget it. I resisted looking it up for this post, so I’ll just share what I do recall:

OCTOBER’S BRIGHT BLUE WEATHER

O suns and skies and flowers of June,

and ______ of June together,

you cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

Now I look it up:

Oh suns and skies and clouds of June,

and flowers of June together,

you cannot rival for one hour

October’s bright blue weather.

MANY MORE VERSES, by Helen Hunt Jackson

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

I am very near tears when imagining what lies ahead for the zika mosquito babies.

Speakers urged EVERYONE to telephone Gov. Kasich once a day for 30 days to support the establishment of the Oversight Committee which the state legislature passed:

1-614-466-3555 day or night

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like

Share this: Reblog, Like