Physical Disability vs. a Handicap

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a handicap is when someone is put at a disadvantage. While a disability is a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage clue to a physical or mental impairment. The difference is that disabilities are functional impairments and handicaps are disadvantages impaired on individuals. Someone could be disabled without being handicapped. I have had experience with both.

At the age of four I had a stroke which weakened the entire left side of my body. It also made me loose most of my memory and made my ability to learn difficult. Growing up with these disabilities was very difficult but I did not allow it to handicap me. Any activity I had the opportunity to try I tried it, no matter how many people told me I wouldn’t be able to. For instance, I was told that I would not be able to cheer due to my left hand being slower than my right. I tried out multiple times and made the team each time. As far as learning is concerned, I had to work hard to issue success in school. Through I didn’t allow these disabilities to handicap, others always tried to. I think that was and still is the hardest thing I have to deal with when it comes to my disabilities.

At the age of 18 I became wheelchair bound. This was due to having pins in my feet, both of them but at separate times. Being handicap was bittersweet. At times I wanted to be treated as if I was actually handicap. I enjoyed people opening doors for me and being nice to me just because I was in a wheelchair. Other times I was upset that the handicap handicapped me. In other words, I wanted to do things for myself and by myself but was unable to. Someone was always trying to help me because he/she felt sorry for me.  The main thing that I did not like about being handicap was all of the extra attention that was given to me. During the time I was in the wheelchair people would just stare out of curiosity for me having pins coming out of my feet. I respected those who would ask, “What happened?” opposed to those who would just stare and stare and stare.

Even though disabilities and handicaps are different, my experience with the two sure was, there is one thing that was similar. The support from my family was very strong. When I was in the hospital they would come visit me and even stay the night. They would keep in much with me and remind me that everything would be alright. Outside of the hospital my family did any and everything that I could not do for myself. The support from them made my experience with the disability and handicap a lot easier.

I Am Who I Say I Am

I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.
I wonder where my I will end up in life.
I hear God directing me in the right direction.
I see positive people on a day to day basis.
I want to be a great teacher.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I pretend to be a famous singer.
I feel my cheek bones cry from constant smiling.
I touch the hearts of other.
I worry about disappointing others.
I cry when I fail
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I understand that anything is possible if I put God first.
I say "Failure is not an option."
I dream success.
I try my best at everything I do.
I hope to become a Proficient Educator.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

For the Love of Teaching

Every week Dr. Miller gives the students a spelling test over 10 words. I would grade the spelling test. Doing so, I noticed that there were three students making a 30% or less on the test. So I worked with those three. I gave them homework instructing them to write each spelling word 10 times and to study them. Also, I told them that if they passed their test with a 100% then I would get them something. The next week, I found out that Nora passed the test with an 80%, and Tyrome made a 10%. Therefore, even though Nora did not make a 100% I decided to give a mechanical pencil for doing so well. As for Tyrome, I continued to work with him on his spelling test. The next week I made him a homework packet for him to say, spell, and write each word 10 times. I was disappointed when Friday came and the homework packet was empty, but I was pleased that he improved by making a 60% on his test. So it was time to step it up a notch. The next week, I gave him another homework packet and he was required to do the same thing, say, spell, and write each word 10 times. Also, when he got into the classroom we work on the spelling words. Eventually, we had to take a walk in the hallway so that he would get distracted by what was going on in the classroom. That helped a lot. I decided to continue to work with him until he knew how to spell each word. I was not present when Dr. Miller gave the students there spelling test so I was excited to go back to the school to see how Tyrome did. Tyrome made an 80% on his test. I am extremely proud of him.