Tag: Independence

Disability Pride Pearls

July is Disability Pride Month. We commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anniversary (becoming law July 26, 1990). The ADA civil-rights goal is to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. One might ask how often the law is working for the 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. who live with a disability. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are especially challenged in finding jobs — 85% are unemployed.

Self-acceptance and pride are themes every year, but the 2024 theme for the month-long celebration is “We Want a Life Like Yours.” Being inclusive and supporting everyone is part of our Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Yes, dear weekly readers, I included these words in my blog about July 4th — on the topic of immigrants who were granted citizenship over that holiday week. There seems to be a need for shoring up our memories about what our country stands for.

Boston has the distinction of being first to celebrate Disability Pride in 1990, while Chicago is first in sponsoring a Disability Pride Parade (beginning in 2004). A Disability Pride flag was created with various colors to represent different types of disabilities: green for sensory disabilities, blue for mental illnesses, white for invisible or undiagnosed disabilities, yellow for neurodivergence, and red to represent physical disabilities. One wheel-chair-bound participant looks forward to the annual parade, calling it “a family reunion.”

The idea of any parade is to celebrate something, to take notice of something important, and to pause our busy lives for a period of focus. Too often, those with disabilities are not noticed — or are noticed but then overlooked when it comes to inclusive actions. Some individuals with disabilities have to cope with ableism issues every day.

July also is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Mental Health Month. We need more open dialogues about mental health in America.  

Happily, in my hometown community I watched our local high school’s summer musical with pride. The cast was extensive with a chorus line that was three-deep for many songs! Among the singer/dancer chorus were high schools students with disabilities. When I realized this, I had goose bumps. Someone at the high school notices these students. I was on the faculty of this school as a school psychologist in the 1980’s, working with troubled students who were referred to as “Behavior Disordered,” a label that I reject. Acceptance from non-special-education staff was withering.

Perhaps times are changing in a good direction. Let’s speed up progress in acceptance for everyone and their particular needs. 

Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz 

309. Do you personally know someone with a disability?

310. If so, how does their disability affect you?   

Independence Day Pearls and Perils

July 4, 2024, celebrated 248 years since the birthday of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. While many Americans enjoyed celebrating July 4th another year, for some folks it marked their first Independence Day. Babies born in the past year and others who were granted citizenship marked their first July 4th holiday. I enjoyed family time along with watching an annual parade of community groups celebrating connections. The parade was energizing (even in light rain) with kids, candy bags, and colorful cars. Later in downtown Chicago, singing patriotic songs along with the Grant Park Symphony was memorable.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Theresa’s words are timeless, but especially meaningful in today’s divided states of America. It was heartwarming to see everyone waving tiny American flags that were handed out at the concert.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) celebrated Independence Day this year by handing out citizenship to approximately 11,000 newcomers in more than 195 naturalization ceremonies during June 28th – July 5th. Deputy Assistant to the President Blas Nuñez-Neto participated in a naturalization ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, while similar celebrations took place across the country, including Battleship in New Jersey, Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri and Fort Clatsop (Lewis & Clark National Historic Park) in Oregon.

 In 2023, USCIS welcomed 878,500 new U.S. citizens. This year USCIS made significant strides in reducing naturalization pending queues, already welcoming 589,400 citizens. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou summarizes: “These new citizens add diversity and character to our great nation, and we are committed to helping all who are eligible to experience the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as U.S. citizens.”

I cannot imagine leaving my country, especially if a language barrier existed. It must feel precarious to encounter uncertainty as unnerving as clinging to electrical wires. Even more daunting, I cannot imagine dealing with the traumatic conditions that can make it mandatory for some parents to carry their babies, with little else, across several countries to reach their dream of safety and second chances.

Let’s recall the Declaration of Independence intentions: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”   

Gaining citizenship as an immigrant is not guaranteed, but many communities across America have extended a helping hand to these newcomers. “There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask: ‘What’s possible?’ not ‘What’s wrong?’ Keep asking. Notice what you care about. Assume that many others share your dreams.” These words by organizational consultant Margaret Wheatley are a blueprint for moving forward.

Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz 

305. What meaning does July 4th hold for you?

306. How might you participate in helping others reach their American dream?