HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Last week I attended the S.P.I.N. (Serving People In Need) halloween dance. This took place at the Bellingham Senior Center, and was the most wonderful two hours I have had in a long time. Admission was open to everyone in the community, all you had to bring was some graham crackers to eat later in the night. There were DJ's, cool lighting, snack breaks, and so many people. Both those with and without disabilities were there, and it was a great event to foster those relationships, and inclusion. As you can see many of my friends dressed up in spectacular halloween costumes, and I even got to meet Sydney's boyfriend Tim for the first time! 

Sydney and Tim

Sydney

Steven

The Pursuit of Passion

Mikayla Holmgren is just another girl who loves to dance. Although she has Down Syndrome that has never stopped her in achieving her goals. I love this video not only because I am a dancer myself and understand how dance can be an amazing outlet and way of creative expression, but this video really showcases how similar people with disabilities are to those without. As her dance teacher stated in the video Mikayla "reminds her of what dance is really all about", which is passion. Mikayla's perseverance shines through in the fact that she hasn't let anything or anyone stop her from performing, and she continues to dance because SHE loves it. I also love how Mikayla thinks she is pretty amazing, because she is. It just proves that people with disabilities don't see themselves in that way and don't define themselves by their disability. This is why we shouldn't either. Her dance teacher says she doesn't separate Mikayla from the rest of the students because she has a lot to offer the class, and with her passion she is sending out a great message to the rest of the students. She works just as hard, and is a great learner. It was very insightful to hear from Mikayla's parents because they express their point of view and let us in on what it's like. They say that physical activities are the best types of activities for Mikayla because she can respond by doing. Mikayla can understand things well she just has a hard time explaining that she understands and what she means, so when on the dance floor she can talk using her body. I love this video because it is so amazing to see the inclusion of Mikayla at her dance studio, and of how she has positively affected all of the people she has come in contact with. Passion isn't destined for only certain people, its destined for everyone and its great being able to see Mikayla working so hard at hers.

Many faces, one heart.

 DISCOURAGED

 SILLY

 CURIOUS

 DISTRACTED

 EXCITED

 UNSURE

CONFIDENT

GOOFY

INSPIRED

 ENGAGED

AMUSED

 PLAYFUL

 LONELY

 CONTENT

 SATISFIED

 DETERMINED

PUZZLED

HAPPY

AMBITIOUS

DISABILITY OR NOT, WE ALL HAVE EMOTIONS. 

Meet my friend Sydney!

Sydney is one of those people that can instantly uplift your mood, and her friendship is infectious. She lives life with so much passion and love that I thought you all would love to get to know just a little bit about her. She may have Down Syndrome, but once you get know her that is the last thing that even crosses your mind. One of our first outings together last year was watching the movie "Frozen" in theaters and we are still obsessed. She will always be Queen Elsa and for halloween I might just be her sister Anna. I hope this ignites a fire in your soul to advocate for equal opportunities and rights for people who have disabilities, and I hope that it makes you want to get to know Sydeny more. If so, I would love for you to come to an event and do so! I'll even be nice and share her!

A world without judgement is a world meant for fun

Western Washington University has a club called S.I.F.F (Sharing Interests Forming Friendships)- "Allies for Inclusion".  I was in this club last year and had the opportunity to meet many new friends that I wouldn't have been able to without this resource. Last year the focus was to pair a Western student with a student from the Community Transitions school who has a disability. So last year I was paired up with Sydney who has Down Syndrome. I couldn't be any luckier, as she is the most lovable, accepting friend I have. 

This year the club has changed it up. Instead of being mentorship focused we are opening it up to the students, and community. I mean our main goal was inclusion so why keep these amazing people all to ourselves? This past monday S.I.F.F had an event on Westerns campus open to anyone who wanted to join. We had about 30 people show up to participate in the Scavenger Hunt which was an INCREDIBLE turnout. People with and without disabilities were able to interact, form friendships, and even spread awareness around campus. Here are a few pictures from the event and I hope you'll come to the next one. Visit https://www.facebook.com/WWUSIFF?ref=br_tf and like the page to stay updated!

 

Today was the Buddy Walk!

Singin' and Groovin' at the Buddy Walk Feat. Elvis and Syndey!

Buddy Walk with Sydney

                         Supported Down Syndrome Outreach at the Buddy Walk with Sydney!

Differently-abled, Not Dis-abled

According to one of the definitions on dictionary.com disabled means "lack of adequate power, strength, or physical or mental ability; incapacity". Those with disabilities DO have power- they inspire us to live our lives being our true selves and to not let that get in the way of our happiness. They DO have strength- they overcome bullying, they keep going when things get hard, and I'm sure they can lift some weights too. They DO have physical and mental abilities- they are able to play sports and be active, they may have to do the activity in a different way and at their own pace, but they can do it. They are also very smart. Maybe not to the "smartness" standard you would hold them to, but they've all got their talents. Some may be great at memory tasks, while others may be great with numbers. It all depends on the person. Just as becoming a dancer or a dentist depends on the person as well. As we can see this definition does not accurately describe those people we call "disabled", because they are able. "They aren't disabled, they are differently-abled", is a statement that I stand by, and proudly support. They can do the daily activities and tasks that we do, just in their own way and at their own pace. I think that is awesome. They are creative, they find ways of doing things that work best for them, and I find that very motivational. We are more alike than different, and we can understand that when we stop focusing on what society has portrayed of them.

With Love,
Brittney

The Secret to Successful Interaction

Many people become perplexed when it comes to communicating with people who have disabilities. Have no fear, a tip is here, and it is the easiest one at that. I hope this helps and is worth the watch. Thanks so much!

Acceptance By Being Accepted

If this isn't pure happiness I don't know what is. Love these videos for so many reasons. First they prove that people with disabilities are not in fact (insert R-word here). They are smart, and talented individuals. If they got into college just like me and so many other students (with or without disabilities), they aren't any different, they are able.

My Blog- What it's all about

Hello! Here is my first video. I just wanted to explain a little bit about my blog and what I am trying to do. Thanks for watching. 

Organizations

National:

- Special Olympics
https://secure.specialolympics.org/site/c.mlIYIjNZJuE/b.8191793/k.5A71/Help_Us_Make_a_Difference.htm?autologin=true&s_src=donate&s_subsrc=redcpcg_SO&cr=donate_just35&gclid=CjwKEAjw77OhBRCJ7Onfp_HNtwYSJACZqHAWopmS5fiWKZeIP72x6jYKO2gheS4OnEZVz13cr7xVXhoCmfPw_wcB

- The Arc
http://www.thearc.org


Local:

- Max Higbee Center
http://www.maxhigbee.org

- S.I.F.F. Club at Western Washington University
https://www.facebook.com/WWUSIFF

S.P.I.N Dance

http://www.maxhigbee.org/spin-dances.html

Come to a S.P.I.N. dance to have a lot of fun dancing while (Serving People In Need)! This months spin dance will be Monday, October 20th. The S.I.F.F (Sharing Interests Forming Friendships): Allies for Inclusion club at Western Washington University will be there, so we hope to see you there. It starts at 6!

P.s. Just a heads up, these dances happen the third monday of every month. You'll have so much fun you will want to come back!

What a sweet collaboration!

This song with the music video sends such a powerful, and important message. Everyone should be able to show their true colors and be loved for who they are. Media like this is the type of media that needs to be spread and advertised more. It has the ability to inspire, empower, and accumulate change and awareness among others.

Pictures

 Smoothie Time!

Sydney and I hanging out on campus shooting a video!

       Putting on Barbs necklace as she was getting ready to attend The Arc event.

Say cheese!

                                         After watching "Frozen" at the movies with Sydney

                         Met my new friend Steven at the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome

                                             My new friend Tiffany from the Buddy Walk

                                            Sydney and I hanging out at the S.I.F.F. club party

                                                        Our Pledges to end the R-word

                                                               Food monsters!!

                                               Read some cute books at the Wilson Library!

                                                                          Pottery

                                                  The bowl I made for Sydney out of clay.

                                              Such a beauty, even when she doesn't pose.

                                                      Umm... we aren't eating cupcakes....

                                                             Okay.. fine... we are.

                                                                        Bowling!

       We ran into Sydney's boyfriend Harry Styles and just had to get a picture!

          At my "going away to college" dinner at Olive Garden where Stacy works!

Stacy was my number one supporter when I won Miss Kingston

                                         Spending the 4th of July with my neighbor Stacy!

                            With Lauren after Special Olympics swimming practice.

                                                           These girls swam great!

                                                                          Lizzy!

           Robert and Lizzy waiting for their turn in the swimming relay race.

                                                  Encouraging the work hard, Gabe!

                                                                Ready.. Set... Go!

                                                              And the winner is.....?

                                                           Talks by the poolside.

                                                My little hip-hopper, groovy, dancing queen!

My first day volunteering with Special Olympics, playing some b-ball. You bet I came back :)

 Western's S.I.F.F. "Allies For Inclusion" Club had a end of the year party!