For the last two hundred years, America has led the world in championing the rights of her disabled citizens. From civil rights to inclusion, activists have consistently demanded more equity and more equality. At every single turn legislators have, eventually, succumb to masterfully orchestrated pressure. What is yet to be answered, is whether or ... Read more
Richard Pimentel — Veterans Day
Message from Richard Pimentel presented at his Church on Veterans Day 2017 On Veterans Day I’m am told that I can get a free donut and coffee at Krispy Cream, a free dinner at Golden Corral and more trouble from my wife Debbie than I can possibly imagine by having free wings at Hooters. ... Read more
President Ronald Reagan Created a Waiver to Live at Home, and Congress Wants to Take That Away From People with Disabilities
The Katie Beckett Waiver Being a mother has been one of the most gratifying roles of my life. As many parents will attest, there sometimes comes a moment in parenting where you discover strength you didn’t know you had — all because your child needs you. For me, that moment began 39 years ago ... Read more
Does Paralympic sport benefit the right athletes?
Paralympic sport has come a long way from its humble beginnings at the Stoke Mandeville spinal cord injury unit in England just after the Second World War. This small sporting event, which at the time used competition between those with similar injuries to assist the rehabilitation of wheelchair users, is now a worldwide phenomenon. ... Read more
Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge
The film challenge is a weekend-long film making contest. Aspiring storytellers are prompted to write, shoot and edit a short film in 55 hours.
I May Not…
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=14 delay=15]I may not walk the same, talk the same, or behave the same. I may have difficulty understanding you, but I’m not to blame. I may not look the same, so I have no shame in admitting that. I may not learn the same. It might be a delayed; but what’s wrong ... Read more
Seven Reasons I Know I Am Beautiful
I used to think beauty was measured on a purely physical level and my awkward, unusual appearance, caused by my Treacher Collins syndrome, was far from ideal. I wasn’t beautiful; I never would be. But I was wrong. While I admit to still fighting my insecurities even as an adult, I have grown to ... Read more
You be the Judge?
I gave a speech entitled “Don’t Judge A Book: Uncovering Unconscious Bias” to a group of people who work at non-profits. I’ve given speeches on variations of this subject to other groups and one thing I know for certain is that this topic is very tricky. It’s called Unconscious Bias for a reason, it’s ... Read more