Original Piece by the GADOL Creative Writing Group
This week in Creative Writing, we talked about Disability Pride Month because some of us are going to the Disability Pride Parade on Saturday, July 26.
Here’s what we shared about Disability Pride Month and what we are proud of:
Disability Pride Month is a time when we feel proud of who we are. We have a disability, and that’s okay. People should see that having a disability isn’t bad — it makes us us. We celebrate who we are, talk about what we can do, and show the world we belong too.
Matt:
“I love it! You know I love it! I love it because a lot of people have disabilities. A lot of people do not understand that we are intelligent and you don’t make fun of people who have different challenges — it’s not right.”
Huvi:
“I am proud of everyone in here.”
Mikey T:
“I am proud of my job and that I take the train to work. I learned to take the train to be able to get to work myself. (Now I’m learning to take the Uber from the train to work.)”
Doug:
“I am in the Special Olympics next week for golf! I am also proud of my work and living in my own apartment.”
Avi:
“I’m actually proud of being so close to everything in this city of HP. The future is bright for our new campus.”
“I’m also proud of being the most amazing Uber rider because I have trusted them for years and years taking me to work, to my parents, and back to my house. I am using that kind of transportation. I used to go on buses, but it tends to be way harder to get one. I am working again at BJBE, which is a Reform synagogue. It is very nice. I am a teacher’s assistant and I’m proud of that.”
Efraim:
“I live in my own apartment.”
Tmima:
“I’m proud of the Keshet dinner.”
Estella:
“I think we should have more Pride Month. When I was in school in a disability class, people used to call me names and we had a meeting with the teacher — it wasn’t nice. We don’t show that we have a disability. We show that we are proud of ourselves. People should not be upset about people with disabilities.”
Julie:
“I work at the temple. I like working at the temple, BJBE. I work on Fridays. I work at Mark Drug too, and I work at the business office. I love it. I’m proud of my ceramics work. Proud of going bowling. It is a lot of fun.”
Susan:
“All the operations that I used to have. When I was little, growing up in my childhood, I got the acting bug and my very first play, the teacher was so impressed with me. I am an author, a novelist, a scriptwriter, and songwriter. I went to Special Gifts Theater and did their plays. My favorite was Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. I did the original movie. They were terrified of my witch’s laugh.”
JW:
“I’m proud I go to work with people. I have a nice boss named David. Everyone at work and in the family treats me with respect and I got a raise at the anniversary party. I tell people where to go, I sweep, and I dust. I was in Wizard of Oz with Yachad.”
Simcha:
“I like swimming. I work at HTC in the kitchen. I put on gloves and wipe the chairs and tables.”
Chuck:
“Yah, I’m proud that I live at my own house with friends and I love country music.”
Lauren:
“I live in a CILA with friends. I listen to music, K-Pop.”
Danny:
“I am proud of my job, being a janitor at CMS (Central Management Division), working there for about 3 years. I want to go to Hollywood — acting and working in aviation.”
Adam:
“My job at the HP library and living in my house with friends.”
Avi:
“We are all about inclusion and making new friends here.”
