Inclusion or Not

Hello Readers,

Even though it is late I have decided to write a blog. I would like to address with you a very controversial topic in the disability community. Inclusion or not.

I have mixed feelings about this. Earlier this month, I found out that a young woman my age was fully included in her classes despite her learning disabilities. And I was like, “Why couldn’t that be me?” I felt very angry, but on the other hand I enjoy going to camps and other segregated programs because it is a way for me to bond with others who have similar issues.

This has been very helpful to me this month because I am going through a lot of stomach issues and ironing out these issues with people who have similar problems makes me feel like I am not alone. It makes it easier to get through the days and see that there is a pot at the end of the rainbow.

So I have very mixed feelings on this issue. It depends on the day for me. Sometimes I like inclusion, and am a huge advocate for it. I would like to know from other people with challenges such as myself their opinion on this issue.

I have had a lot of people in my life with disabilities who have passed away as a result of their conditions and I am very happy to say that despite my stomach issues I have lived a very healthy year this year and will be having my 27^th birthday in two days! And with a song that I believe sums up this month in a nutshell, it is called “Better Together” by Jack Johnson.

There is no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard

No song that I could sing, but I can try for your heart

Our dreams, and they are made out of real things

Like a, shoebox of photographs

With sepia-toned loving

Love is the answer,

At least for most of the questions in my heart

Like why are we here? And where do we go?

And how come it's so hard?

It's not always easy and

Sometimes life can be deceiving

I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together

Well, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, it's always better when we're together

And all of these moments

Just might find their way into my dreams tonight

But I know that they'll be gone

When the morning light sings

And brings new things

For tomorrow night you see

That they'll be gone too

Too many things I have to do

But if all of these dreams might find their way

Into my day to day scene

I'd be under the impression

I was somewhere in between

With only two

Just me and you

Not so many things we got to do

Or places we got to be

We'll sit beneath the mango tree now

Yeah, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, we're somewhere in between together

Well, it's always better when we're together

Yeah, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, mmm, mmm

I believe in memories

They look so, so pretty when I sleep

Hey now, and when I wake up,

You look so pretty sleeping next to me

But there is not enough time,

And there is no, no song I could sing

And there is no combination of words I could say

But I will still tell you one thing

We're better together.

Write to you when I am 27! Sweet dreams!

-Jessi