I can't believe it's August already! This summer is just flying by. Hopefully this beautiful weather will last for a long time though. Yesterday Grace came in to town for a couple hours. Friends of hers were staying at Panorama,so Grace and her mom decided to come into town to visit them. They stopped in Invermere for a while to say hi and I got to show them around town for a bit. Grace has only been here in the winter time and to Tim Horton's in where she meets us to drive to camp, so she's never really seen the town in summer. We went to the bakery and she couldn't believe how busy it was! Ha ha . Our local bakery is very busy in the summer with all the tourists. It is like the place to be if your in Invermere in the summer. Anyway I just showed them around town a bit. I'm not the best tour guide, so we didn't go very many places, but it was nice to see her and wheel around my town together now that we have wheeled around hers. We are both very excited for camp, which is on Thursday, the 9th. That's in five days! It's coming up very soon.
Last night I went to a birthday party for my friend Marlow from Special O. We had dinner, cake and presents at her house and then we went to a movie. The movie was called Brave. It's a very cute cartoon. It was just Marlow, her mom and I, so that was special.
So, yes, it has been a busy couple of days. I only write blogs when I'm all by myself because when Mom is off or I have something planned, I'd rater focus on being with my friends and family or doing the fun event . Every day that I'm all by myself I try to write a blog though. I have a list of potential blog ideas that I want to write. Hopefully I'll get through them all. I keep adding more ideas though, so I don't know if I ever will. Ha ha. Today, though, I'm going to give some advice and talk about some summer activities for kids and teens with diverseabilities. Summer is Awesome. It's a break from school and routine and waking up early and everything. Sometimes, though, it's hard for kids with diversabilities to keep busy in the summer. Most kids can just get a call from their friends and get up and go meet them. It's a little more difficult for us though. This year I've been really working on getting in my chair and going downtown by myself. That has been awesome. Last summer was a little more difficult. I didn't really think of those things. I'm much more independent this summer. I had some amazing adventures last year like going to the Bugaboos and going to camp, but between them, I've kind of had to fend for myself as far as finding stuff to do when I'm at home alone. It's taught me a good lesson about enjoying being by myself and enjoying what each day has to offer. So, today I'm going to tell all you readers with diversabilities some of the stuff I do in the summer that keeps me busy and some more ideas for you to do that will keep you busy.
Hopefully it will help you think of some more stuff to do to make your summer a fun one.
1. Respite- The program Patti and I do together is awesome. I have a planned event for us to do once a week. Last week we went to the swimming pool. We hope to do that again with a friend of ours when I get back from camp. We just work on life skills and plan out fun things to do each week. Like I said, patti and I are great friends ,so it's nice to still be able to spend a little bit of one on one time with her in the summer. I recommend Respite for any child or teenager living with a diversability. It just gets them out with someone else other than a family member and teaches them diffrent skills that they could use when they move out on their own one day! If your a parent with a child with a diverseability, you should really inquire about some sort of Respite. My day with Patti is something I look forward to every week. We have a lot of fun together, and I'm sure if your a person with a diversability who decides to get into the respite program, and hang out with someone for a few hours every week, you will too!
2. Community Living Program- The Community Living program I go to every week, has been great. It goes all year round so it's a nice after school activity as well. We just do simple little things for a hour. Last week we went to the movies and I got to invite a friend. This program has really helped me break up my day. It usually goes from four o'clock to five thirty. It's a good hour and a half of activity. I think it has really helped us all, especially this one autistic boy. I don't think he's been in a group before. He loves it and is really benefiting from it. They make him work and include him in the activity we're doing, which is what he needs. It's some stimulation for him. Community living is sort of like Respite but it
is with a group, where Respite is one one one mostly. I'd encourage towns to open up programs like
these. It gets kids with diversabilities out there and learning new things and being part of the community. It just helps them to be able to live, learn, laugh and play.
3..Blogging- I have loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin Steph talked me into it, then I became hooked. Blogging is great for anyone who likes to write to get their opinions out about certain things and to write stories. Blogging is awesome for people with disabilities particularly because it gets them interacting with the world a bit more. It gets awareness for different diversabilities out there. Years ago, people didn't know anything about people with diverseabilities. Therefore, when one was born into the world, they were kind of isolated from everybody else. We have come a long way since then and with more things like blogs that help more and more people become aware, the more connected and accepting this world will be.
4. Chores- I love it when my mom gives me chores to do like doing laundry or dishes. It's even better when I get to run errands outside like going to get the mail or buy groceries because I get to go downtown by myself. Parents of children with diverseabilities should try to include the child with the diverseability in the chores as much as the otherchildren. Doing chores and things like that just make us feel important and helpful, whitch is what we want to feel like. It also helps us get ready for living independently one day. I have a list I got from the Children's hospital that shows all sorts of things that I should be able to do by the time I move out on my own. I love it when I get to check something off the list because it means I'm getting closer and closer to being able to live on my own. When you give your kid who has a diverseability chores to do, it keeps them busy and it makes them feel valuable. The more they can do on their own, the better they feel, and the more success they will have in living the best life they can live.
5. Socialization- This is so important for kids with diverseabilities. |The more people they know, the more comfortable they will feel in their surroundings. Living in a small town, you know everybody. You plan to go downtown to the bakery for twenty minutes and you end up their for an hour because you run into so many people. I have so many people that support me and come up to me and hug me or have a great conversation with me! It's great! I have so many great friends. It should be no different for any child growing up in any small town who has a diverseability! Everybody should try to make an effort to get to know them. They will be glad they did to! People with diverseabilities are pretty special!
6. Volunteer- I've done a bit of volunteering in my town. I'm hoping to volunteer at the local Seniors Home helping with crafts and stuff. I've always wanted to be part of the work force. My younger sister has a job before I do! I better get crackin'! Having a job, especially when it is volunteer is important for people with diversabilities because, again, the feel like they are helping out. They have gotten so much help over the years and now they get to give back. They also feel important and grown up. The expectations of any person going into a job are put on them. They have to be there one time. They have to look like they are ready to work, and they have to have something to offer. I love volunteering and I can't wait to be in the working field. It makes me feel as if I am capable of anything.
7. Inviting Friends over- I've always had trouble with inviting other kids my own age over. I feel I relate to adults more than kids because they have a little bit more patience. All the kids at my school are super nice and I'd love to be friends with them but we just have trouble making it to that next level. I haven't have had to many friends over. I've had a few, but I should have kept had more and kept that up over the years. One thing I want to encourage with diversebilitiesto do is start planning dates with friends early in childhood so they get that kind of socialization. It just opens up there social circle a bit more and gets the other kids aware of children with diverseabilities too. It will be great for everybody!
8. Camp- Like, I said, there is five more days until I go to Camp Winfield! Everyone that goes to camp gets excited. Easter seal camps, like Camp Winfield are really special to kids with diversabilities. They just give make them feel that they are not alone and that there are other kids going through similar situations as they are . They do things there that they wouldn't normally be able to do as easily when there not at camp. The counsellor's just make it so everything is possible for everyone. It does cost money of course. I got funding from the Lions Club, a group in town that fundraises for people with diversabilities. I gave them a big speech on how great camp is for me, and they funded me to go to camp until I'm eighteen. I'm sure you can find a group that will fund raise for you somewhere. There are so many generous people out there and so many possibilities to give these kids chances for magical week of fun For any kid, going to a camp is just full of friends fun, and laughter. Every child should get a chance to go to camp. It's a great memory that will last for years.
9. Plan Out Your Day- I don't think I've gotten board once this summer. One thing I found that helps is planning out what I will do that day. If I have a plan then I'm not sitting there feeling sorry for myself because I have nothing to do. I know autistic kids have to have their day planned out for their comfort. I think it works for all kids with diverseabities because if they have a plan they are never wondering what they should do. Every day has new adventures that comes with it. You just have to find them
10 Going for walks- I love going for walks, especially on new trails. Now that Ihave my chair I can just get up and go. My mom will say "hey Kate? Want to go for a walk?" I almost always say yes. I just get in my chair and we go. Sometimes I don't even put my shoes on. I just go. No matter what diverseability your child has, they shouldn't sit in front of a T.V all day! Everyone needs fresh air and needs to enjoy outside. Walks are a perfect way to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature.
There are some ideas for kids or teens with diversabiities. Every day is a new day and we should find some way to enjoy it, despite our challenges. I encourage everybody to get out there and be active. Small things or big things, they all are worth it! So get out there and enjoy the day! I hope this blog helped you make your summer a great holiday for everyone!
3. Blogging- I've loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin, Steph told me I should do it, I was hooked. I've come up with a lot of blog ideas. I have a list of them and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. I only blog when I'm all by myself though because when Mom has the day off or I have simething planned for the day, I'd rather put all my energy and focus onto that. Blooging is great though. I'd suggest it to anybody who lijes to write and has opions that they want to be heard and stories they want to tell. It's especially great for people with diversities because it gets more awarness out there. Fifty years ago, people didn't know anything about people with diversuties. Therefore, when someone came into the world who had a hearing imparment or was in a wheelchair, they were isolated from the rest of the world. We have come som much further than where we were with diffrent technologies and hearing about peple wit divesabilitities through blogs and stuff. It's great how lots of people with diversablities have opened up and shared their stories annd have inspired so many. When we open up the world to a lot more diffrent people with a lot of diffrent abilities, the better off we'll all be.
4. Chores- I love it when my mom gives me a chore to do like laudry or dishes or slmething. It's even better when she gets me to run an errand downtown because I get to get out and do an actual errand . It makes me more prepared for when I grow up. When I do things like get groceries or getthe mail, it makes me feel grown up. Normally a teenager would not enjoy doing laundry pr something,but for kids wiith diversities it makes them feel like that is one more thing they can check off there to do list. I have an independence checklist from the Childrens Hospital that I should have complete before I move out on my own. Every time, i put a little check by one of those things that says i can do it now, it feels awesome! So, parents, try to include your child with a diversibility in helping with the chores as much as possible. It makes us feel like were helpful and important, whitch is what everyone wants to feel like.
5. Socialization- Socializing is a big must for kids with diverseabilities. It makes them feel a part of the community and that they are just like everyone else. I try and get downtown at least once a day.
Being from a small town, you know everybody. It takes you twice as long to go for coffee or something small just because you run into and end up chatting with so many people. Everyone should know how to socialize. It's very important. It gets you places in life. For people with diversabilities, it gets them more comfortable with there surroundings and other people more comfortable with them. I have so many people in town that support me and come up and say hi to me all the time. Thats what it should be like for all kids growing up in a small town with a diversability. Nobody should be afraid to go up and make friends with them
this one. It just gets kids ot there and gives them something to do. It helps them grow, so that they
can get out into the world one day and be the best they can be.
3. Blogging- i have loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin Steph convinced me to do it, i was hooked. Every day that my I'm home alone i write. I have a list of ideas to write about and the ideas just keep on coming so I just keep on writing! They keep me very busy. I ove how this blog has enabled me to open up a bit with my thought and personality. I love people but I can be kind of quiet sometimes. This blog just alows me to be loud and opiononated and funny and all sorts of things. All sorts of emotions come out. I'd suggest blogging to anyone who likes to write, just so they can tell stories and get their opionons out about things that are important to them. It's esapecially great for people with diversities because they get to interact with the world a bit more and it creats some more awarness. Fifty years ago, you didn't know much about people in wheelchairs or who had a hearing impairment or anything like that and so when someone with troubles came into the world, they were isolated. Now, with all this technology to help us and peple having more awarness about us by blogs and stuff like this, we've become more and more accepted. That's awesome, because people with divesities are preety amazing people. The more this world opens up to all the diffrent, awesome things the world has to offer, the better of a world we will all get to live in.
4. Chores-I love it when my mom gives me little chores to do. They can be small things around the house like dishes or laundry. It gets even better whhen she asks me to go to the grocery store or get the maik because then I get to be outside, downtown, socialing and
these. We've been waiting and waiting for one for years, and now that it's here, it's going great! It
for us to get out into the communitee and learn and growas much as we can.
3. Blogging- I been loving doing this blog. Grace and my cousin Steph got me started on it and now I'm hooked. When I blog I feel like i open up about my life with Cerebrall Palsy, and it opens up my personallity a bit. I just lile tof share my opionon on certain things and talk about my adventure. i love it when people read it. The I really feel like i'm gettong out there. I'd suggest blogging to anybody who likes to write, for just getting tere thoughts out. It's especially good for people with diversities beccause it brings moe awareness and they get to talk about their struggles in life that nobody else would think pabout. So, if you like the computer and you like to write, blogging is a great idea. Fifty years ago, people didn't know about people with diversities, annd so, when one came into the world, they were isilated from it.. With more technology and more stories about diffrent people with diffrent abilitiies, the more connected the world will be and the more acceptable it will be to change.
Last night I went to a birthday party for my friend Marlow from Special O. We had dinner, cake and presents at her house and then we went to a movie. The movie was called Brave. It's a very cute cartoon. It was just Marlow, her mom and I, so that was special.
So, yes, it has been a busy couple of days. I only write blogs when I'm all by myself because when Mom is off or I have something planned, I'd rater focus on being with my friends and family or doing the fun event . Every day that I'm all by myself I try to write a blog though. I have a list of potential blog ideas that I want to write. Hopefully I'll get through them all. I keep adding more ideas though, so I don't know if I ever will. Ha ha. Today, though, I'm going to give some advice and talk about some summer activities for kids and teens with diverseabilities. Summer is Awesome. It's a break from school and routine and waking up early and everything. Sometimes, though, it's hard for kids with diversabilities to keep busy in the summer. Most kids can just get a call from their friends and get up and go meet them. It's a little more difficult for us though. This year I've been really working on getting in my chair and going downtown by myself. That has been awesome. Last summer was a little more difficult. I didn't really think of those things. I'm much more independent this summer. I had some amazing adventures last year like going to the Bugaboos and going to camp, but between them, I've kind of had to fend for myself as far as finding stuff to do when I'm at home alone. It's taught me a good lesson about enjoying being by myself and enjoying what each day has to offer. So, today I'm going to tell all you readers with diversabilities some of the stuff I do in the summer that keeps me busy and some more ideas for you to do that will keep you busy.
Hopefully it will help you think of some more stuff to do to make your summer a fun one.
1. Respite- The program Patti and I do together is awesome. I have a planned event for us to do once a week. Last week we went to the swimming pool. We hope to do that again with a friend of ours when I get back from camp. We just work on life skills and plan out fun things to do each week. Like I said, patti and I are great friends ,so it's nice to still be able to spend a little bit of one on one time with her in the summer. I recommend Respite for any child or teenager living with a diversability. It just gets them out with someone else other than a family member and teaches them diffrent skills that they could use when they move out on their own one day! If your a parent with a child with a diverseability, you should really inquire about some sort of Respite. My day with Patti is something I look forward to every week. We have a lot of fun together, and I'm sure if your a person with a diversability who decides to get into the respite program, and hang out with someone for a few hours every week, you will too!
2. Community Living Program- The Community Living program I go to every week, has been great. It goes all year round so it's a nice after school activity as well. We just do simple little things for a hour. Last week we went to the movies and I got to invite a friend. This program has really helped me break up my day. It usually goes from four o'clock to five thirty. It's a good hour and a half of activity. I think it has really helped us all, especially this one autistic boy. I don't think he's been in a group before. He loves it and is really benefiting from it. They make him work and include him in the activity we're doing, which is what he needs. It's some stimulation for him. Community living is sort of like Respite but it
is with a group, where Respite is one one one mostly. I'd encourage towns to open up programs like
these. It gets kids with diversabilities out there and learning new things and being part of the community. It just helps them to be able to live, learn, laugh and play.
3..Blogging- I have loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin Steph talked me into it, then I became hooked. Blogging is great for anyone who likes to write to get their opinions out about certain things and to write stories. Blogging is awesome for people with disabilities particularly because it gets them interacting with the world a bit more. It gets awareness for different diversabilities out there. Years ago, people didn't know anything about people with diverseabilities. Therefore, when one was born into the world, they were kind of isolated from everybody else. We have come a long way since then and with more things like blogs that help more and more people become aware, the more connected and accepting this world will be.
4. Chores- I love it when my mom gives me chores to do like doing laundry or dishes. It's even better when I get to run errands outside like going to get the mail or buy groceries because I get to go downtown by myself. Parents of children with diverseabilities should try to include the child with the diverseability in the chores as much as the otherchildren. Doing chores and things like that just make us feel important and helpful, whitch is what we want to feel like. It also helps us get ready for living independently one day. I have a list I got from the Children's hospital that shows all sorts of things that I should be able to do by the time I move out on my own. I love it when I get to check something off the list because it means I'm getting closer and closer to being able to live on my own. When you give your kid who has a diverseability chores to do, it keeps them busy and it makes them feel valuable. The more they can do on their own, the better they feel, and the more success they will have in living the best life they can live.
5. Socialization- This is so important for kids with diverseabilities. |The more people they know, the more comfortable they will feel in their surroundings. Living in a small town, you know everybody. You plan to go downtown to the bakery for twenty minutes and you end up their for an hour because you run into so many people. I have so many people that support me and come up to me and hug me or have a great conversation with me! It's great! I have so many great friends. It should be no different for any child growing up in any small town who has a diverseability! Everybody should try to make an effort to get to know them. They will be glad they did to! People with diverseabilities are pretty special!
6. Volunteer- I've done a bit of volunteering in my town. I'm hoping to volunteer at the local Seniors Home helping with crafts and stuff. I've always wanted to be part of the work force. My younger sister has a job before I do! I better get crackin'! Having a job, especially when it is volunteer is important for people with diversabilities because, again, the feel like they are helping out. They have gotten so much help over the years and now they get to give back. They also feel important and grown up. The expectations of any person going into a job are put on them. They have to be there one time. They have to look like they are ready to work, and they have to have something to offer. I love volunteering and I can't wait to be in the working field. It makes me feel as if I am capable of anything.
7. Inviting Friends over- I've always had trouble with inviting other kids my own age over. I feel I relate to adults more than kids because they have a little bit more patience. All the kids at my school are super nice and I'd love to be friends with them but we just have trouble making it to that next level. I haven't have had to many friends over. I've had a few, but I should have kept had more and kept that up over the years. One thing I want to encourage with diversebilitiesto do is start planning dates with friends early in childhood so they get that kind of socialization. It just opens up there social circle a bit more and gets the other kids aware of children with diverseabilities too. It will be great for everybody!
8. Camp- Like, I said, there is five more days until I go to Camp Winfield! Everyone that goes to camp gets excited. Easter seal camps, like Camp Winfield are really special to kids with diversabilities. They just give make them feel that they are not alone and that there are other kids going through similar situations as they are . They do things there that they wouldn't normally be able to do as easily when there not at camp. The counsellor's just make it so everything is possible for everyone. It does cost money of course. I got funding from the Lions Club, a group in town that fundraises for people with diversabilities. I gave them a big speech on how great camp is for me, and they funded me to go to camp until I'm eighteen. I'm sure you can find a group that will fund raise for you somewhere. There are so many generous people out there and so many possibilities to give these kids chances for magical week of fun For any kid, going to a camp is just full of friends fun, and laughter. Every child should get a chance to go to camp. It's a great memory that will last for years.
9. Plan Out Your Day- I don't think I've gotten board once this summer. One thing I found that helps is planning out what I will do that day. If I have a plan then I'm not sitting there feeling sorry for myself because I have nothing to do. I know autistic kids have to have their day planned out for their comfort. I think it works for all kids with diverseabities because if they have a plan they are never wondering what they should do. Every day has new adventures that comes with it. You just have to find them
10 Going for walks- I love going for walks, especially on new trails. Now that Ihave my chair I can just get up and go. My mom will say "hey Kate? Want to go for a walk?" I almost always say yes. I just get in my chair and we go. Sometimes I don't even put my shoes on. I just go. No matter what diverseability your child has, they shouldn't sit in front of a T.V all day! Everyone needs fresh air and needs to enjoy outside. Walks are a perfect way to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature.
There are some ideas for kids or teens with diversabiities. Every day is a new day and we should find some way to enjoy it, despite our challenges. I encourage everybody to get out there and be active. Small things or big things, they all are worth it! So get out there and enjoy the day! I hope this blog helped you make your summer a great holiday for everyone!
3. Blogging- I've loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin, Steph told me I should do it, I was hooked. I've come up with a lot of blog ideas. I have a list of them and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. I only blog when I'm all by myself though because when Mom has the day off or I have simething planned for the day, I'd rather put all my energy and focus onto that. Blooging is great though. I'd suggest it to anybody who lijes to write and has opions that they want to be heard and stories they want to tell. It's especially great for people with diversities because it gets more awarness out there. Fifty years ago, people didn't know anything about people with diversuties. Therefore, when someone came into the world who had a hearing imparment or was in a wheelchair, they were isolated from the rest of the world. We have come som much further than where we were with diffrent technologies and hearing about peple wit divesabilitities through blogs and stuff. It's great how lots of people with diversablities have opened up and shared their stories annd have inspired so many. When we open up the world to a lot more diffrent people with a lot of diffrent abilities, the better off we'll all be.
4. Chores- I love it when my mom gives me a chore to do like laudry or dishes or slmething. It's even better when she gets me to run an errand downtown because I get to get out and do an actual errand . It makes me more prepared for when I grow up. When I do things like get groceries or getthe mail, it makes me feel grown up. Normally a teenager would not enjoy doing laundry pr something,but for kids wiith diversities it makes them feel like that is one more thing they can check off there to do list. I have an independence checklist from the Childrens Hospital that I should have complete before I move out on my own. Every time, i put a little check by one of those things that says i can do it now, it feels awesome! So, parents, try to include your child with a diversibility in helping with the chores as much as possible. It makes us feel like were helpful and important, whitch is what everyone wants to feel like.
5. Socialization- Socializing is a big must for kids with diverseabilities. It makes them feel a part of the community and that they are just like everyone else. I try and get downtown at least once a day.
Being from a small town, you know everybody. It takes you twice as long to go for coffee or something small just because you run into and end up chatting with so many people. Everyone should know how to socialize. It's very important. It gets you places in life. For people with diversabilities, it gets them more comfortable with there surroundings and other people more comfortable with them. I have so many people in town that support me and come up and say hi to me all the time. Thats what it should be like for all kids growing up in a small town with a diversability. Nobody should be afraid to go up and make friends with them
this one. It just gets kids ot there and gives them something to do. It helps them grow, so that they
can get out into the world one day and be the best they can be.
3. Blogging- i have loved writing this blog. Once Grace and my cousin Steph convinced me to do it, i was hooked. Every day that my I'm home alone i write. I have a list of ideas to write about and the ideas just keep on coming so I just keep on writing! They keep me very busy. I ove how this blog has enabled me to open up a bit with my thought and personality. I love people but I can be kind of quiet sometimes. This blog just alows me to be loud and opiononated and funny and all sorts of things. All sorts of emotions come out. I'd suggest blogging to anyone who likes to write, just so they can tell stories and get their opionons out about things that are important to them. It's esapecially great for people with diversities because they get to interact with the world a bit more and it creats some more awarness. Fifty years ago, you didn't know much about people in wheelchairs or who had a hearing impairment or anything like that and so when someone with troubles came into the world, they were isolated. Now, with all this technology to help us and peple having more awarness about us by blogs and stuff like this, we've become more and more accepted. That's awesome, because people with divesities are preety amazing people. The more this world opens up to all the diffrent, awesome things the world has to offer, the better of a world we will all get to live in.
4. Chores-I love it when my mom gives me little chores to do. They can be small things around the house like dishes or laundry. It gets even better whhen she asks me to go to the grocery store or get the maik because then I get to be outside, downtown, socialing and
these. We've been waiting and waiting for one for years, and now that it's here, it's going great! It
for us to get out into the communitee and learn and growas much as we can.
3. Blogging- I been loving doing this blog. Grace and my cousin Steph got me started on it and now I'm hooked. When I blog I feel like i open up about my life with Cerebrall Palsy, and it opens up my personallity a bit. I just lile tof share my opionon on certain things and talk about my adventure. i love it when people read it. The I really feel like i'm gettong out there. I'd suggest blogging to anybody who likes to write, for just getting tere thoughts out. It's especially good for people with diversities beccause it brings moe awareness and they get to talk about their struggles in life that nobody else would think pabout. So, if you like the computer and you like to write, blogging is a great idea. Fifty years ago, people didn't know about people with diversities, annd so, when one came into the world, they were isilated from it.. With more technology and more stories about diffrent people with diffrent abilitiies, the more connected the world will be and the more acceptable it will be to change.
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