North Carolina is the last state in the country that automatically prosecutes both 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, no matter how minor the offense. The evidence is overwhelming that this leads to worse outcomes, makes our communities less safe, and …
Observations From Below: Get “Raise the Age” Right for Young Offenders with Disabilities Read more »
I’ll be open to you all and to say that Health Care advocacy has taken a lot out of me. It’s drained my fortitude and changed my perspective in certain ways. I used to think that Medicaid would be safe …
OBSERVATIONS FROM BELOW: THIS IS YOUR LAST BREATH I have loved TED Talks since college. TED Talks “began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business …
Observations From Below: This is Your Last Breath Read more »
For the people who grew up in NC, like I did, March is typically an exciting and busy month. March of 2017 was no exception. Although for me it didn’t include as much basketball watching as it normally does, I …
In my short time as a disability advocate, I’ve had the honor of sitting on several boards. One thing I’ve learned from sitting on these boards, is that sometimes it takes participating in a project for me to feel like …
Observations From Below: Time Keeps on Slipping…Into the Future Read more »
Over the course of my education, I have been fortunate to have mostly great teachers. However, I have had two bad experiences. The first of these experiences occurred in the first grade. My teacher was nearing retirement and didn’t want …
Observations From Below: Make America FAPE Again Read more »
In the mid-1800’s, the famous social reformer Dorothea Dix describes living condition in one our country’s earliest asylums. She recounts, “more than nine-thousand idiots, epileptics, and insane in these United States, destitute of appropriate care and protection. Bound with galling …
Observations From Below: Light is the Best Disinfectant Read more »
Sometimes in my life, I’ve noticed that the simplest experience offers the most profound lesson. I recently went grocery shopping over the New Year’s holiday, and like many people I used the self-checkout machine. I was wearing my wrist braces …
Observations From Below: Rage Against The Machines Read more »
I always frustrate my family around Christmas time. I never know what to ask for, and I always say I’m content with what I have. That is true. But it doesn’t help the people that want to buy me gifts. …
It might have been because I was putting in a lot of hours to Disability Rights NC last week, but I had an interesting experience. I recently watched the old animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie this past week for …
Observations From Below: Lessons from the Island of the Misfit Toys Read more »