Hello everyone. I am tickled to say that I was able to participate on a special conference this week that helps military veterans and their families.
Bright eyed and bushy tailed without coffee mind you, I set out to meet another colleague of mine at 5:30 a.m Wednesday morning.
The conference was held in small town in West Virginia, a state that I have never been before. Sitting in the back seat riding there allowed my eyes to drift into luscious greenery of mountain high trees and flowing bodies of water.
The conference had representatives from different federal agencies attend. They were able to ping pong back and forth ideas on how to address issues of homeless veterans and helping them find employment.
First time attending such a conference I felt motivated being surrounded by people who are intrinsically involved helping homeless veterans not only getting off the streets, but finding housing and getting jobs.
When I got back from Iraq I was elated that every soldier in my unit made it back alive and I had a similar warm fuzzy feeling leaving this conference.
Coming back to Washington, DC Thursday evening I was happy to see my roommates. This weekend I plan to go guitar shopping. I am looking for a used acoustic guitar. I started playing in 3rd grade. One of my roommates plays guitar too. I am looking forward to working on some of my songs that I wrote before coming to Washington, DC.
Krista Dora
Thursday, June 2, 2011
First Week of Work
After a long, hot, fun filled Memorial Day weekend I headed off to my first week of work. On the first day my supervisor took me on a tour and introduced me to all the employees within the DRC who I could be working with over the course of the summer. I also got fingerprinted and went through the formalities to get my office pass. It was a very short day as I got there at 9 am and was sent home at 11 am.
Today turned out to be much more productive and informative as the pieces started to fall into place regarding what I will actually be doing over the summer. I presently have three projects I am working on including evaluating the DRC website for accessibility and helping to evaluate nominees for the annual DOT awards ceremony. I am also assisting with a project that hopes to bring more disabled individuals into the DOT workforce.
The feel of the office is great. Everyone is very supportive, it is very laid back and everyone gets along very well. Best of all I found out I won’t need to be wearing a suit to work every day in the 90 degree weather.
Today turned out to be much more productive and informative as the pieces started to fall into place regarding what I will actually be doing over the summer. I presently have three projects I am working on including evaluating the DRC website for accessibility and helping to evaluate nominees for the annual DOT awards ceremony. I am also assisting with a project that hopes to bring more disabled individuals into the DOT workforce.
The feel of the office is great. Everyone is very supportive, it is very laid back and everyone gets along very well. Best of all I found out I won’t need to be wearing a suit to work every day in the 90 degree weather.
When you look at me, what do you see?
When you look at me, what do you see?
Do you see my pretty face smiling at you? Maybe you see my caramel colored skin and wonder what is she- Hawaiian? Indian? African? Maybe you see me in my suit and see a professional. Yes, that girl looks like a lawyer ready to take someone to court. Yes you look at me but you don’t see me because if you really saw me you would know that I am a person living with mental illness.
As a person with a hidden disability I have often struggled with the issue of whether to “come out” and disclose my disability. Whenever I ask people about disclosing, I have received a mixed bag of answers. Some say it will be difficult to be accepted in the legal profession if I disclose. Others say I should be proud of my disability and my past. For nearly ten years I kept my mental illness a closely guarded secret. Initially, disclosure was on a “have to know basis”: I am in the hospital and someone needs to be my emergency contact. As things improved, I started testing the waters by telling a friend and an employer. My friend was supportive; on the other hand, my employer called me “crazy girl” and used it as a basis for office pranks. That experience made me less inclined to share my story. I thought “if I can pass, then why bother making my life more difficult through disclosure.” Through law school and my internships with various disability organizations I started developing disability pride.
As an AAPD intern, I have embraced identifying myself as a person with a disability. I disclose because the disability movement gives me a sense of community and acceptance. Here, I don’t feel weird talking about my hospitalizations. I am not looked upon as an outsider, for once I feel like I fit in. In this group, regardless of disability, there is a shared experience of marginalization of one kind or another. More importantly, there is a resolve to create systemic change for people with disabilities. For me, the first step to create change is to shout loud and proud “I am a person with a disability”!
Do you see my pretty face smiling at you? Maybe you see my caramel colored skin and wonder what is she- Hawaiian? Indian? African? Maybe you see me in my suit and see a professional. Yes, that girl looks like a lawyer ready to take someone to court. Yes you look at me but you don’t see me because if you really saw me you would know that I am a person living with mental illness.
As a person with a hidden disability I have often struggled with the issue of whether to “come out” and disclose my disability. Whenever I ask people about disclosing, I have received a mixed bag of answers. Some say it will be difficult to be accepted in the legal profession if I disclose. Others say I should be proud of my disability and my past. For nearly ten years I kept my mental illness a closely guarded secret. Initially, disclosure was on a “have to know basis”: I am in the hospital and someone needs to be my emergency contact. As things improved, I started testing the waters by telling a friend and an employer. My friend was supportive; on the other hand, my employer called me “crazy girl” and used it as a basis for office pranks. That experience made me less inclined to share my story. I thought “if I can pass, then why bother making my life more difficult through disclosure.” Through law school and my internships with various disability organizations I started developing disability pride.
As an AAPD intern, I have embraced identifying myself as a person with a disability. I disclose because the disability movement gives me a sense of community and acceptance. Here, I don’t feel weird talking about my hospitalizations. I am not looked upon as an outsider, for once I feel like I fit in. In this group, regardless of disability, there is a shared experience of marginalization of one kind or another. More importantly, there is a resolve to create systemic change for people with disabilities. For me, the first step to create change is to shout loud and proud “I am a person with a disability”!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lovin DC...
Where to begin… I must admit I was rather nervous to begin this endeavor of coming to Washington DC for an internship with the AAPD. I was nervous, but extremely excited for the opportunity. I think the thing that made me the most nervous was the flight, as that it would be the first time I was traveling by plane being in a wheelchair. However the flight went rather smoothly with only a few bumps that perhaps were expected but overall it was not the horrible nightmare that I had envisioned. Once I arrived in DC, was placed back in my wheelchair, and all of my luggage was accounted for, I felt at ease and overcome with excitement for what lie ahead of me. My mom was able to make the flight with me and will be staying with me for the 10 weeks to help take care of me. For most twentysomethings this may be a nightmare, but for me I’m not nervous at all because we get along very well.
Once we eventually found a way to the dorm room we are able to check-in and get some much-needed sleep. Morning came quickly and my mother and I made our way to the beginning of orientation. Once I arrived there it was a little surreal meeting all the individuals that I would be having this experience with, as well as finally meeting face-to-face the individuals that I had been in contact with at the AAPD via e-mail and telephone. As this first week of orientation comes to a close, I must say that I’ve met numerous individuals I believe will not only become great friends throughout this experience, but also a lot of individuals that show great promise in helping me achieve my future goals. We have been able to listen to numerous speakers that taught many different things that will be beneficial not only in this internship but in any future endeavor. We have been able to learn about living in DC, the history and background of the disability movement, and working in DC–all of which were interesting and insightful.
Tomorrow I will be meeting with the supervisor of my placement at the Department of Education, Robert Buggs, I believe he and a couple of his colleagues will be coming to discuss my upcoming opportunity. I’m slightly nervous, but I’m sure that they will be just as cordial as everyone I’ve met thus far. I wish I could say that I have gotten the opportunity to delve into Washington DC’s culture, but so far it has been nose to the grindstone. In upcoming weeks, I can’t wait to experience all that Washington DC has to offer as well as take full advantage of this opportunity that’s been given to me!
"Welcome to Washington, DC" 1st Blog
Hello everyone my name is Krista Dora. I am going into my senior year of college at Indiana University. I am a "Hoosier" native from Indiana. I served in the Active Duty Army from for 4 years from June 2005 to June 2009, and did a 15 month deployment to Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007.
Having been to Washington, DC only once before, I felt like a kid walking by a toy store and not going in. I craved to get exposed to Washington, DC's culture and vibe. I wanted to soak in the atmosphere.
I set out to achieve this goal by applying to an internship with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), where I would be living in Washington, DC. Upon getting accepted for this internship I was filled with joy. I was no longer a kid walking by a toy store and not going in, but an adult walking in "toy shops" stocked with federal figurines.
The first week of my internship was orientation. I enjoyed the orientation. I have met my fellow interns and am in awe of them. They are each inspiring in their own unique ways.
-Krista Dora
Having been to Washington, DC only once before, I felt like a kid walking by a toy store and not going in. I craved to get exposed to Washington, DC's culture and vibe. I wanted to soak in the atmosphere.
I set out to achieve this goal by applying to an internship with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), where I would be living in Washington, DC. Upon getting accepted for this internship I was filled with joy. I was no longer a kid walking by a toy store and not going in, but an adult walking in "toy shops" stocked with federal figurines.
The first week of my internship was orientation. I enjoyed the orientation. I have met my fellow interns and am in awe of them. They are each inspiring in their own unique ways.
-Krista Dora
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Margie's First Post!
First blog post….
Hi, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Margie and I am a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology and Spanish. I joined the Peace Corps after that and taught environmental education in Spanish and Guarani to children in Paraguay. I am currently one semester away from graduating with my MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a certificate in psychiatric rehabilitation from Illinois Institute of Technology. I am taking my Certified Rehabilitation Counseling exam here in DC on July 9th! I have done work with veterans with psychiatric disabilities through the Supported Employment program at Hines Veteran Affairs Hospital.
I am currently interning at Rehabilitation Services Administration under the Department of Education. As a soon-to-be rehabilitation counselor, I am very excited about this assignment! We just finished a full week of orientation in which we met many people important to the disability movement.
Today was my first day at work. The day unfolded like many “first days of work” I have had throughout my life. I met many nice people, and I read a lot to get up-to-speed with the new assignment. And boy is the weather here in DC HOT!!!
Hi, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Margie and I am a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology and Spanish. I joined the Peace Corps after that and taught environmental education in Spanish and Guarani to children in Paraguay. I am currently one semester away from graduating with my MS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a certificate in psychiatric rehabilitation from Illinois Institute of Technology. I am taking my Certified Rehabilitation Counseling exam here in DC on July 9th! I have done work with veterans with psychiatric disabilities through the Supported Employment program at Hines Veteran Affairs Hospital.
I am currently interning at Rehabilitation Services Administration under the Department of Education. As a soon-to-be rehabilitation counselor, I am very excited about this assignment! We just finished a full week of orientation in which we met many people important to the disability movement.
Today was my first day at work. The day unfolded like many “first days of work” I have had throughout my life. I met many nice people, and I read a lot to get up-to-speed with the new assignment. And boy is the weather here in DC HOT!!!
First Week in DC!
Upon my arrival in Washington, D.C. to partake in the AAPD’s summer internship program, I encountered the same hot and semi-muggy weather I thought I had left behind in Atlanta. However, thank goodness there was air conditioning in the Marvin center where we all congregated. Aside from escaping the thick, heat stroke-inducing air outside, I have learned several things already in D.C. and have arguably never grown (personally and intellectually) so much in the short span of 4 days. To keep this first entry short and sweet—much like an introduction I suppose, I will write a few bullets (for I am quite fond of lists and blurbs) to ensure I cover the most interesting, eye-opening, or quirky things I have taken from my first FOUR days here:
-As a person with ADHD (combined type) I finally feel secure in identifying as a disabled person. Just like being an Asian-American and a part of the LGBTQA community, I have too taken much pride in my disabled identity.
-So, I’ve noticed that ever since my 3rd, I believe, day here I’ve been using my hands and facial expressions significantly more in conversation. I think it might have something to do with my roommate teaching me bits of ASL here and there…. This is just an odd point, but I feel like it’s at least worth noting and it’s at least interesting to me since I already thought I used my hands/ facial expressions too much when I talk! [embarrassed side glance] -Networking, networking, networking!
-The media is probably not the most neutral source to obtain news and develop your perceptions. After speaking with my mentor yesterday, I was shocked to learn that she had long-time friends on both sides of the political sphere. Something the media definitely does not portray: republicans and democrats are actually friends with one another! I will admit that before attending AAPD orientation week I thought republicans and democrats were at each other’s throats and I would hopelessly think “How will we ever get anything done in this hostile uncommunicative political climate!?!” –But now I can actually see that in many areas (and dare I say everywhere) there is at least the potential for successful and collaborative policy work.
Overall, the other interns here have been incredibly friendly and I’m surprised how “tight” I am already with my suitemates (or “Suities”). I absolutely cannot wait to start my internship and see what the rest of the summer has in store!
-Nicole Tay
-As a person with ADHD (combined type) I finally feel secure in identifying as a disabled person. Just like being an Asian-American and a part of the LGBTQA community, I have too taken much pride in my disabled identity.
-So, I’ve noticed that ever since my 3rd, I believe, day here I’ve been using my hands and facial expressions significantly more in conversation. I think it might have something to do with my roommate teaching me bits of ASL here and there…. This is just an odd point, but I feel like it’s at least worth noting and it’s at least interesting to me since I already thought I used my hands/ facial expressions too much when I talk! [embarrassed side glance] -Networking, networking, networking!
-The media is probably not the most neutral source to obtain news and develop your perceptions. After speaking with my mentor yesterday, I was shocked to learn that she had long-time friends on both sides of the political sphere. Something the media definitely does not portray: republicans and democrats are actually friends with one another! I will admit that before attending AAPD orientation week I thought republicans and democrats were at each other’s throats and I would hopelessly think “How will we ever get anything done in this hostile uncommunicative political climate!?!” –But now I can actually see that in many areas (and dare I say everywhere) there is at least the potential for successful and collaborative policy work.
Overall, the other interns here have been incredibly friendly and I’m surprised how “tight” I am already with my suitemates (or “Suities”). I absolutely cannot wait to start my internship and see what the rest of the summer has in store!
-Nicole Tay
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