Society Perceptions

I was born with cerebral palsy causing hearing, visual, physical and health impairments. As a child I had open-heart surgery to repair five holes and two slits in my heart. I also went through years of speech and physical therapy. Today I wear hearing aids and glasses.

I attended Cass Elementary and Stevenson High School in the mainstream program. Those years were full of many ups and downs. After high school I searched for a small college which had support services for people with disabilities. I finally received my bachelor's degree from Madonna University in Social Work. During my college years I finally accepted my disabilities and learned to live independently. More importantly, I learned to advocate for my self and to be my own person.

After graduation I went on several job interviews with many rejections. I finally found a job as a paraprofessional working with children with disabilities. I worked with emotionally, mentally, and physically impaired children of all ages. My favorite group to work with was working with autistic children. It was very challenging and inspiring. Through these experiences I learned how much I enjoyed helping and working with people with disabilities. Unfortunately I was only a substitute paraprofessional and I needed a more permanent job. I then went on to work at a department store in customer services. As I worked there I soon realized how much I missed my true dream of working with the disabled population.

Over the years I have always kept a personal journal, writing my feelings and personal experiences. I decided to start my own monthly column based on my experiences. The goal being to help and inspire others. My topics included disabilities rights, accessibility and improving people's lives. I started researching the Internet looking for markets to submit my column ideas to. Inspired Web Site contacted me with great enthusiasm to publish my column, "Carrie writes", monthly. Before I knew it, my online column was published on the following web sites: Enabled Online, Disabled Person, Reach Out Magazine and Ideal Lives.

In addition to my online column I also moderate a weekly chat session on multiple disabilities at Disability Chatter Yahoo Groups. I am also writing my autobiography and a self help book for people with disabilities. When I am not writing I enjoy reading, shopping, surfing the Internet and spending time with family and friends.

In my opinion the hardest part about being disabled is coping with people's misconception of having disabilities. Unfortunately many feel the disabled are helpless and incompetent. Also many tend to draw away when people are different because they do not know how to act and don't have all the information. For example, in my younger years I have lost friends because they didn't understand my disabilities and were embarrassed. I soon learned they were not my real friends because they couldn't accept me as a whole. When I entered college many people in my dormitory were always very protective wanting to baby me and not hurt my feelings. I soon had to learn to prove to my self and others how strong I really am.

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