In partnership with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Disability Network West Michigan is offering a program to provide FREE Accessibility Reviews for up to 10 Muskegon County businesses. These typically costs $350 per review, but you have the opportunity to have one done for FREE. Our Certified Coordinator for the Americans with Disabilities Act will do a full architectural Accessibility Review of your business and provide you with a written report of the barriers identified, the standards relevant to those barriers, and suggestions on how to fix and remove those barriers.

Author’s note: Subject matter could potentially be triggering. Please exercise discretion before reading. If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741

Written By: Jeffrey Vandyke, Graphics Design Specialist

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 “Let today be the day you stop living within the confines of how others define or judge you.”

It’s that time of year again, time for the older generation to head back to school and for the youngsters to begin their journey. Growing up as a child with a disability, I dreaded this time of year, not because of the homework, assignments, or having to adjust to a new sleep schedule (even though as an adult… I still dread the sound of an alarm clock) but because of the uncertainty surrounding the behavior of my new classmates.

 It was almost a certainty; I was going to experience some level of bullying. The only question was, how severe was it going to be? Would it stop at name-calling, side conversation, and snickers as I whizzed my way down the hallway, or would it escalate to something more physical? Were they going to throw things at me or something worse? All in all, you can probably understand why my body was ravaged with thoughts of dread. For many years, it seemed normal, just something that I had to endure, but as I approached adolescence and the bullying intensified, I began to develop a deep insecurity, coupled with thoughts of suicide.

In truth though, I didn’t want to die… I just wanted it to stop (permanently) and I couldn’t fathom the thought of telling my parents or older sister, or teacher; that didn’t seem very masculine or even remotely like a practical solution as my telling would probably make it worse. What choices did this leave? Continue to endure or give up… there was no 3^rd option. Thus, I opted for the first, coupled with eventually seeing a counselor post High School to help me manage the lasting effects. In retrospect, I wish

I would’ve sought help much sooner; I would encourage anyone who’s dealing with the same or a similar situation to tell someone you trust. It doesn’t matter who the individual is. Please know that you don’t deserve it, it is not a rite of passage, and your life matters. Please don’t allow yourself to believe anyone who tells you something different.

 Bullying is indeed a hot topic in schools and in our society. Unfortunately, according to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, “Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their nondisabled peers.” They report that, “One study shows that 60 percent of students with disabilities report being bullied regularly compared with 25 percent of all students.”

Thus, I feel it’s especially important to educate children about disabilities. Children are typically inquisitive. So many times I hear parents shush their children when they ask about someone’s disability in public. It’s not wrong to ask. If they never ask questions and are never educated about disabilities, they will be less likely to try to befriend a peer with a disability.

The fact is as humans, we are conditioned to notice differences. No matter our age, when we see someone using a wheelchair or other assistive device, we notice it. That’s not negative behavior, but instead is human nature. Asking questions opens up a dialog that can help you understand a person on a deeper level. Once we understand our differences, they become less scary. Opening this type of dialog takes you one step closer to understanding and acceptance.

 If we can have open discussions with children about disabilities, this helps eliminate the fear of approaching someone with a disability and presents a safe place for them to get their questions answered rather than fanning the flames of stigma. More importantly, it shows them that people with disabilities are not much different than themselves. We all have weaknesses, barriers and things we are self-conscious about, but we are also capable of so much more than we think once we are able to look past those obstacles.

When we take the time to know more about a person, we begin to see them as human beings complete with feelings, flaws, and insecurities, just like anyone else, which is vital to a better more inclusive world for us all. Again, I ask as the school year begins, please take the time to educate your child about disabilities.

By Jeffery Vandyke, Graphic Design Specialist

Having a disability shouldn’t define who a person is, where they can go, or what they can become, but for many of us with a disability that’s exactly how it feels.

We live in a country that’s thankfully progressed significantly in many areas (with much more still to be done) in achieving equality for various groups in recent years, which is fantastic, but with each step forward, its growing increasingly frustrating to see that those with disabilities are still being ignored on a daily basis. Whether it’s in the form of thoughtless design in regards to public spaces or the continued lack of representation of individuals with disabilities within the various entertainment platforms.

I feel as though individuals with a disability aren’t necessarily viewed as people, but more so as an after thought. It happens all too often, a business is listed as having accessible facilities, but once inside you discover that even though the arrangements may accommodate some, it doesn’t necessarily fit all… rendering a business (no matter how great it may be) as a negative establishment in the individuals eyes. Furthermore, reinforcing the negative self talk that many with a disability already battle, which is thinking of themselves as an inconvenience.

All in all, exclusion for members of the disabled community is becoming far too common a problem and needs to be addressed with greater frequency and met with the same urgency that other demographics concerns are met with.

As stated earlier, within this past century, we’ve seen dramatic changes in our society, which has led to some great strides forward, but we still have miles to go before until all persons with a disability have an equal chance to live the lives they choose, free from the barriers they face, both physical and metaphorical. It’s time that we not only become participants in the conversation for change, but we ask that you join us in our fight for inclusion for all.

After all, a better world for the individuals within the disabled community today, means a better world for those who will become disabled in the future, which will undoubtedly affect you or someone you love at one point or another.

Written By Jeffrey Vandyke, Graphics Design Specialist

Because I have to use a wheelchair to get around, my disability is very apparent. You may not know the specifics, but there’s typically a big visual difference between a generically designed wheelchair and those that are a custom fitted piece, which makes me standout like a single neon light in a dark room.

With this comes a wide range of responses from strangers… some unfortunately avoid you on sight like you have been infected by the 2019 version of the plague, others are thoughtful and present their best smile; but then there are also those well-intended, but less than impressive comments, which belong to the “I’m so inspired by the courage you display by in public” or something similar to that affect crowd.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the intent and I appreciate the encouragement, but let’s be real… I either go out in my chair or not at all. Life with a disability for many of us is no more of personal choice than the length of our finger(s), mole on our arms, or shade of our skin. We can either make the best of what we have or not, it’s completely up to the individual living with the condition.

See, all things considered when strangers tell me I’m an inspiration simply for being out and about, it feels as though there simply congratulating me for getting up in the morning. They know nothing about legitimate things I have achieved or had to overcome in my life that might actually qualify as inspirational. I’m seen by strangers as an inspiration because despite my disability, I’m still living life. The way I see it, anyone can choose to get up and live life despite whatever challenges they may face. That’s not what makes someone inspirational. The things they accomplish while living their life and facing the many obstacles it brings are what qualify them as inspirational.

A diagnosis or disability in large part is placed upon you randomly… no approval needed. Our only real option is to continue to live our lives as best we can. Is this feat inspirational? Perhaps, but please don’t confuse what we have to manage with what we do, WHILE we’re managing. If you are a person who is aware of some of our genuine life achievements, we will gladly accept an “inspiration comment,” but there is no need to point out how inspiring we are if you are only referring to our ability to live life like anyone else.

Written By Jeffrey Vandyke, Graphics Design Specialist

Behind every perceived celebration… is another’s nightmare.

I understand that for many… the 4th of July and the many festivities accompanied by the eagerly anticipated closing fireworks present what is generally perceived as an exciting cap to a great time.

However, behind every smile, ounce of laughter you hear, and time spent enjoying company… also exist those that are struggling with numerous things today, such as PTSD, anxiety, startle reflex, etc.
Specifically in my case, (and in the cases of so many others who also have Cerebral Palsy) we have a unique neurological wiring, which generally results in an extremely sensitive startle reflex. The startle reflex (also termed “Moro reflex”), an involuntary physical response to unexpected sensory stimuli, is exceedingly common in children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. Although the Moro reflex typically lasts from birth to 3 to 6 months of age, this response generally remains into adulthood for those with Cerebral Palsy, due to the neurological differences present in those who live with the condition. To sum it up in the simplest of terms? We flinch at unexpected, loud sounds.

Personally, I jump at every sudden change in my environment. My body tenses. A seemingly uncontrollable surge of anxiety rushes through my heart as my brain works in overdrive to anticipate the next sudden sound, which causes my body to pulsate in anticipation, which is horrifying at times. All in all, the 4th of July puts an extra strain on all those who are battling something.

This, for me is extremely exhausting and I’m sure, many others would agree. Thus, I especially wanted to share this… not to make you feel bad or to ruin your festivities, but to give you insight into a common struggle that is typically left out of the conversation and to spread awareness on behalf of all of us.

With that said, Happy 4th of July my friends, enjoy the festivities.

By Jeffrey Vandyke, Graphics Design Specialist

A love letter to my Cerebral Palsy

Dear Cerebral Palsy,

 You haven’t always made it easy for me. In fact, you’ve been a pain (quite literally, for as long as I can remember), so much so, that I hated you. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just be “Normal.” I wanted the chance to run alongside my sister, to play sports or just go for a walk. So many of things most typical people take for granted, I’ll never be able to do.

My body is caught in the middle of a tug of war in between what my mind wants to do and what my body will physically allow. However, as time has gone by and I’ve become more comfortable with my body and I’ve learned my abilities (not just my inabilities). I have grown more fond of you.

Don’t get me wrong, the struggles I’ve faced have been mighty and I won’t lie and say things are necessarily easier now, but it is because of the struggles that you have brought with you… the constant surgeries (I lost count at 25?) the bullies, the doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, the scars, and countless daily challenges that randomly seem to appear on a moment’s notice, that I am who I am today.

Yes, I do still have pain, my speech is still occasionally slurred, my movement isn’t as quick as it once was, and my body doesn’t cooperate as much as I’d like, which is frustrating, but I feel like I am also stronger than I ever could’ve been, had I been able to live life without your companionship. Due to the bullies, I am kinder to others because I know what it feels like to be made fun of, because of the constant, ever-changing adversity I am more resourceful, and because of the hardship I am driven to use my life and take advantage of every opportunity to make this world a better, more kinder place for all… disability or not.

I may never be medically healed of Cerebral Palsy as it’s not physically a possibility at this time, but I’ve learned that it’s also not necessary. Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that the only real healing I ever needed was to learn to accept myself as I am today, rather than judging by someone else’s definition of what was “Better”. It is through my greatest weakness, I found my strength. I choose to be happy and positive because life is beautiful and meant to be lived to the fullest regardless of diagnoses, societal expectation, or stigma. It may not be a straight path, but a crooked path is better than none at all. All in all, I hope my life helps someone else know that no matter what obstacles you might face; you can still not only follow your dreams but achieve them as well. So today, it is with much gratitude that I say I appreciate you, Cerebral Palsy… I wouldn’t be who I am today, without you.