STRAIGHT TALK: Making Real Choices
I want to talk about real choices for people with developmental disabilities. Making my own choices about what I want to do or buy is important to me. My brother does not have a developmental disability, and he gets to decide what he wants to do. So, why can't I do that too?
I want to tell you something about me. First, I like to talk about the weather; and second, I like to buy shoes. I have my own checking account, and I get shoe catalogs like Eastbay in the mail. There are lots of shoes in that catalog. Nobody tells me which ones I should buy. I get to choose.
In January 2014, I moved to a group home. I lived there for 10 months. I was stuck in a day program, and had to do what they wanted me to do each day. You want to know what I did each day at the day program? I just sat most of the time. They gave me worksheets each day just like school. Other times, I was given coloring sheets or watched movies. One day a week, they would dance to loud music, but I don't like loud music. Sometimes they would take us on field trips, but I had no choice about where I would go.
Someone else decided that for me. If I said "no," the staff would say I was choosing not to participate. Sometimes they would try to convince me to go on the field trip, and that would make me uncomfortable. I don't like crowded places like festivals or fairs – they are too noisy and there are too many people there. They didn't like it if I said "no." It made me very sad.
Nowhere was my choice taken into consideration.
I live at home again now, and I am planning on getting a job. My mom and I talk about the things I want to do. I have friends in Athens, GA. I meet them at the mall and we hang out. I go bowling on Thursdays, and sometimes we go out to eat after. I go to karate twice a week with Mr. Ray where I am working to earn my black belt. I talk to my friends every day. I go with my mom to meetings about disability rights advocacy, and see what work is being done to make lives for people with disabilities better. I want to see if they are getting to choose what they want to do or decide what services are best for them.
Making real choices for people with disabilities shouldn't be a choice itself. Making decisions for myself not only lets others know that I am capable of doing things, but, it makes me feel good also.
Riad Akhras, from Eatonton, GA, is studying to be a black belt in karate.
Tags: Making a Difference, Straight Talk