Brent...
My name is Annette Hanna. I live in Carbondale, IL, a community which is
heavily populated with people with disabilities. I am 38 years of age with
a diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome. I have used a vent with trach since
1994. I use the vent at night or while napping, otherwise I breathe on my
on with the trach capped. I use a power chair for mobility.
I give you permission in using my thoughts and opinions for you class
project in as much as I have always been open and "frank: about my disability.
I have been thinking about what the term "inclusion" means to me. Most
people always say that they want to be a Person first and a person with a
disability, second. But I have differing thoughts on that. I want to be
included in society's vast scheme of things. But I want you to include
me...as a person with a disability. In a sense, the disability as made me
who I have. Strong willed, stubborn, inventive, open to new thoughts and
ideas, and a survivor.
Don't ignore my disability because it is who I am...a person in a chair who
uses a vent to breathe, who has thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Part of
those ideas have been molded by my disability, some positive and some
negative.
When I was working...I wanted to be "included" in societal workforce but in
order to do that I needed the proper modifications. Therefore my
disability played a big part in how I could perform my specific job.
Today as I go to the mall, movies, and restuarants, in order to be able to
enter those places my disability has to be considered.
Some may not agree with my concept of inclusion..but I feel disability does
need to be considered as a person's being.
Thanks...
Annette M. Hanna
nete1(AT)midwest.net