Let me first begin my entry by introducing myself: My name
is Krystan and I am originally from Long Island, NY but I am currently working
on my Masters degree from Temple University in Communications Management so I
live in Philadelphia. I have been to DC before and I am absolutely thrilled to
be here again! For this summer I will be working at the Department of Homeland
Security in the Civil Liberties Office.
Well, suffice to say, this week has been a whirlwind. I
can’t believe it has already been a week to be honest with you. I learned a lot
from the AAPD orientation, especially about networking; which is something I
struggle with. Although we had many inspiring speakers and had group
presentations on the Book No Pity I feel like it would be more relevant1
for me to share my experiences of traveling to and within D.C.
It has only been about a year since I had to start using a
wheelchair more frequently so all of this traveling/shopping in a wheelchair is
all a relatively new experience for me. When I traveled for the first time
across state lines in my wheelchair I am not over exaggerating when I say I
looked like a hobo. Everything was hanging on my chair rather precariously via bungee
cord. It was sad. It was slightly embassing but I really didn’t know how to
travel with my chair and luggage. So, I did what had to be done. This time when
I traveled I shipped some boxes ahead of me and bought a hiking pack that I
strapped to the back of my chair. I used the tent pole strings to attach my
crutches on as well. Now, I am not a genius and I did not come up with this
solution on my own. I read about it on a blog for people with Cerebral Palsy
who travel. The hiking pack solution made me feel much better and it also made
me realize that I have a whole community of people with disabilities at my
fingertips.
Apparently this community has been around for years, I mean
the ADA was passed when I was in first grade but my whole life ha been spent
separating myself, as best I can, from the disability community but this
experience of figuring out how to travel to DC comfortably opened my eyes to
the fact that I am part of this community. I am part of this group that has to
accomplish things differently. I need the help from this community to figure
out how to do life with a disability. This week at AAPD’s orientation showed me
that this community needs me. I’m not sure what my place will be in it yet but
being that we are the most marginalized group in America, being that we still
face discriminations that are easily seen as appalling when aimed at another
group not one person in the disability community can afford to waste their
gifts by not doing something to change our current position in society
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