Michele Westmaas
My blogs
| Introduction | In 2006, I was invited to a statewide meeting of disability advocates to discuss disability issues and plan ways to coordinate our efforts. At the end of the day, we each had to identify one new thing we would do as a result of the conversation. It was just the push I needed to pursue my dream of writing a regular column on disability issues and the insights I've gained as Aubrie's mom. People with disabilities continue to face discrimination, separation and lack of opportunities in spite of legislation to the contrary. It seems to me that one basic obstacle to real change and progress is attitude and lack of understanding from people without disabilities. Until my daughter was born, I was open-minded, caring, and accepting – or so I thought. I had no idea what it meant to be disabled in the New Millennium. No idea. “Mom on a Mission” is an effort to share my view from the disability world. My hope is that people will recognize that we are not two worlds. We are one. One big world full of very human people, each of whom has gifts to share and needs to be recognized and fulfilled. |
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