Kiley Griggs and The College Quest

For many people, attending college is viewed as a rite of passage. From TV shows, to movies, to books, and everything in between, we're inundated with examples of "the college experience." These things try to teach us what we should expect out of our experiences with higher education. It can lead people to believe that there is a "right" or "wrong" way to attend college, which absolutely isn't the case. Who we don't often see are individuals who have trouble accessing higher education. Who we really don't see are the students who attend higher education but, for several reasons, are unable to have that "typical" college experience. In particular, disabled students' access to higher education can be impacted by accessibility needs. Kiley Griggs, who currently a senior at an accelerated STEM-focused high school program, has found herself at these crossroads. We don't often talk about what happens when disabled children grow up, become adults, and want to have the same experiences as their non-disabled peers. What accessibility barriers potentially prevent disabled students from having equal access to resources and activities, such as living in a dormitory, joining a sorority or fraternity, attending Homecoming, or even dating? I sat down with Kiley to learn a bit about her experiences applying to college. We spoke about her past, what she's currently gearing up for, and the pushback that is actively preventing her from participating in higher education, in the way she wants to. Her story is a powerful one, offering us insight into extremely important discussions of disability's relationship with independence, autonomy, and equality.

Kiley is a bright young woman who, I'd argue, is wise beyond her years. Currently, she's the only wheelchair user enrolled in Wendell Krinn Technical High School's cybersecurity program. In fact, at the school, Kiley is the only wheelchair user to ever be fully mainstreamed. Already equipped with a few cybersecurity certifications, in 2027, she'll graduate with both her high school diploma and her Associate of Arts (AA) degree. To say the least, that's an impressive goal for anybody to accomplish.

Glimpsing into the future, Kiley is considering several options. When I asked about her academic interests, she said, "I like a lot of different things! I like getting my hands dirty in white hat hacking. I like talking to people and interfacing with [them]. I like troubleshooting things. I like making little [creative] projects... So, I don't really know where I'm going to go. Just somewhere in the IT headspace." Currently, she's interested in programs that focus on the topics of AI, business, and robotics. Her sights are set on a potential Master's and/or law degree.

It goes without saying that Kiley has a bright future before her. However, I have to admit: after speaking about her experiences regarding accessibility, I felt a sour taste begin to creep into my mouth. As Kiley begins to tell me about the limitations that she's experiencing, regarding physical accessibility, I have a familiar, sinking feeling. It reminded me of the time I'd spent in Graduate School and the unnecessary amount of difficulty I experienced, regarding accessibility.

Here's the reality: most college students, unless they are disabled, don't have to worry about certain limitations. Here, I'm particularly referring to the ability to live in a university dorm and independently attend class. Only disabled students have to grapple with the worry of finding a caregiver, as well as needing accessibility accommodations, both within and outside of the classroom. Systems like Florida Medicaid or the MedWaiver are intended to provide healthcare and financial assistance for disabled people; however, they also add a lot of restrictions that most are unaware of. Wouldn't you know it? Those restrictions have a huge impact on disabled people, who may want to venture out of state, to attend the college or university of their dreams. Kiley told me, "The way our system is set up, the way our Medicaid is set up, if I leave the state, I lose Medicaid. Even though my teachers are like, 'You could go to Columbia or something!' I'm like, 'No.' [Then they say,] 'But it would be so good for you.' I'm like, 'But I can't do that.'" For Kiley to requalify for financial resources, such as Medicaid, Social Security, and the MedWaiver, she'd have to live in a new state, for a set amount of time. During that time, she'd have no assistance with medically-related expenses. For a disabled person, especially for those of us who have to rely on mobility equipment like power and manual wheelchairs, that waiting period becomes a potential death sentence. To me, all of these factors sound a little too similar to the concept of "Separate but equal." In case you are unfamiliar, that practice is supposed to be illegal. I digress.

So, what does any of this mean for Kiley, as well as her disabled peers? For one, it actively prevents them from having the same kinds of opportunities as non-disabled university students. In fact, it aims to prevent them from becoming university students, at all.

Why is any of this important? To be blunt, I believe that Kiley's struggles are an active infringement of her rights. When I asked Kiley why it is so important for her to live on her own, she offered, "I just want the independence. For the majority of my youth, I went to camp. Camp is freedom! I get to make my own decisions. I get to be my own human. My parents are really good about stepping back... but they're still my parents. I want freedom. If this makes any sense... [experiencing] that kind of freedom makes you yearn for it even more. I want the independence of living on my own. I want to possibly join a sorority. I want that college experience. I want the fun stuff, on top of the academic stuff."

As I mentioned, Kiley has a few kinds of accessibility needs. For starters, she'll need accommodations both inside and outside the classroom. While some of these accommodations may overlap, a number of them don't. Most people assume that colleges or universities pay for one-on-one aids for disabled students. Actually, they don't. Regarding accessibility accommodations, universities will pay for a scribe, better known as a notetaker. Scribes are a fantastic resource for students like Kiley, who don't have the ability to write by hand. These scribes are only paid for the time that they spend in your class, with you. So, outside of class time, these individuals probably won't be available to help Kiley with other, accessibility needs.

Additionally, since she doesn't have the ability to write and may type slowly on a computer, Kiley will need extended time for test taking. As it is, she's already had to deal with requesting accommodations for taking certification exams. I asked Kiley what it was like to take those kinds of tests, to which she replied, "In order for a disabled person to take a certification exam, [and receive accommodations for test taking], they may have to wait for months in advance, apply, wait for [the application] to go through, then it gets denied and we have to jump through hoops. Then, other companies are like, 'Boom! You're approved!' Meanwhile, other people... just have to click the button, click what day they want to take the test, click 'Go,' and they're registered. [Disabled people] have to jump through all these things and get like a voucher code." To Kiley's point, requesting accommodations adds an additional layer of difficulty that disabled test takers must endure, while non-disabled test takers simply need to sign up for the exam. Likewise, if you are disabled and need testing accommodations, a lot of certification or entry exams require disabled students to have a note from a doctor, validating the student's disabilities and limitations. I'm unsure of a more efficient method for speeding up this process; however, as somebody who needed accommodations to take the GRE, in order to attend graduate school, I can tell you that this procedure may be tedious, lengthy, and stressful.

For individuals like Kiley and myself, even though we need accommodations, requesting them can sometimes feel overwhelming. She relayed, "I have a hard time invoking my extended time and asking for extensions on assignments. Because, in my head, nobody made me feel this way, but it feels like a cop-out or excuse. I know it's not an excuse. I know I need it... I know I work harder but, in my brain, my perfectionist, little gifted brain, it's like, 'Oh! You're giving up!'" As Kiley demonstrates, for disabled students, our differences can sometimes leave us feeling isolated or guilty. Both of us hope that this blog post will help other disabled people to recognize these feelings in themselves, let them know that they're not alone, and that  accessing accessibility accommodations is our civil right.

So, what about outside of the classroom? Well, those services would need to be provided by a private caregiver. Kiley will either have to pay for that service, out of pocket, or through another entity like the MedWaiver.

If she were to go out of state, as I previously mentioned, Kiley'd be without any disability-focused resources for a period of time. That period differs, depending on the state. So, if Kiley were to try and attend an out-of-state university, she'd have no assistance to help pay for a caregiver, at all, for a set period of time. This could be anywhere from a couple months to upwards of a year. Could you imagine not being able to use the restroom, cook, take a shower, or get dressed, for a year? It's irrational, ridiculous, and completely unrealistic.

Regarding her future, post graduation, I asked Kiley to tell me why employers should make a more concerted effort to hire disabled workers. She said, "In my case: work ethic. I will get a task done, [through] perseverance and grit. People talk these days about how, 'Oh, Gen. Z has no grit. They're iPad kids...' but I have the perseverance. I have the grit. I have the things that some other [people] don't have. I've had to fight for almost everything I have, or everything I wanted to get. In the end, I mean, it stunk to go through, obviously. But [that] will make me a good employee." Kiley's answer rang in my ears for some time, because I've had to fight against the same principles. Especially regarding the current state of Disability Rights, where average people believe that disabled people want to do nothing, then receive a check in the mail from Social Security (which, I have to point out, is very little money), Kiley's words show that this observation is completely false. Disabled people want to contribute to society. Do you ever wonder why we don't see more disabled people, in higher-paying roles? Because it's next to impossible for us to achieve the necessary education, experience, and testing to do so. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

"...people with disability were much less likely to work in management, professional, and related occupations than were their counterparts with no disability (37.5 percent compared with 43.9 percent)."

The point of Kiley's story is to show people the parts about living, as a disabled person, which people don't typically hear about. Kiley offered, "I'm happy doing the work that I do. I'm happy representing the organizations I represent. They've done a lot for me... I'm happy to be happy, and to have my picture on their websites, [which show me] being happy. But that's not the full story." By being as successful as we are, to most people, disabled people make our lives look easier than they are. The transfers, the mobility devices, the orthotics, the prosthetics, and the well-behaved service animals... all of these resources seem as if they simply appear, out of thin air. In reality, acquiring these vital resources takes a lot of advocating, planning, training, and even maintenance. So, what do all of these resources have in common? They cost money, and a bunch of it, too.

Concluding our interview, I asked Kiley, "If there was one thing you want people to learn from your experiences, what would that be?" Her reply left chills down my spine. She offered, "I want them to know that this is the voice behind the scenes. We keep talking about, 'You see the happy kid.' Or you see all the cool stuff we get to do, and I love it, but there's also stuff we have to fight for. We fight, and we fight, and it gets exhausting. If an able-bodied person reads this, let them see that. If a disabled person reads this, which I hope they do, there is always a way around the thing, the obstacle, the barrier. Whatever thing, there's always a way. That way might require help, but it's OK to get help... Advocate for yourself! If you're planning to go to college, I will try now to make a way for you. Hopefully, I succeed."

Author:
Kyle Romano

Gavin Lambert: Find The Good

Judy Heumann, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks were all incredible activists of their time. Even though their struggles were different, they were all fighting for a common goal: they pushed for equality and refused to take "no" for an answer. They didn't just happen to become activists, either. From the very start, what motivated each of them was a single idea, a dream of a world that honored their inalienable rights, regardless of who they were. Gavin Lambert personifies these ideals. Currently a student at Pasco-Hernando State College, Gavin is seeking a degree in Sports Management. Like most students, he has to take courses that may or may not align with his Major. Enter his Entrepreneur Business class. He and his classmates were assigned a project, in which they were instructed to find a real problem in the world, then to find a potential solution to fix that problem.

To anybody who knows Gavin, it's no secret that the man's favorite thing to do is go out to eat; however, he also knows that a lot of restaurants aren't that accessible. It's this drive that gave Gavin a grand idea. It was in his Entrepreneur class that Gavin made the connection, and when he decided to actually start questioning the accessibility of the world around him. Naturally, that led him to explore the wheelchair accessibility of local restaurants.

Even though it wasn't directly related to Gavin's Major, taking the aforementioned entrepreneur class has changed his life. At the time that I conducted Gavin's interview, this idea was only three weeks old. Within that time, Gavin took what he learned from his school project, and was encouraged to reach out to his local legislators about restaurant accessibility.

At the forefront of Gavin's argument, is that everybody should have the availability to enjoy themselves, in a safe and accessible environment. He knows that he's far from the only disabled person who enjoys going out to eat. For many of us who rely on others for accessible transportation, this need is even more dire, especially if we are only able to get out of the house once-a-month or so. He told me,

"I feel like restaurants are somewhere, where anyone can go, and they can sit there and talk to people... and there's a lot of social value... especially for disabled people who aren't going to school, going to work, or [are] out in the world. And, most people with disabilities, if that is their one outing, they need to be able to have [access] to that." 

Here, Gavin is touching on something very important about the lives of disabled people, especially for those of us who rely on government assistance to survive. As a quad-amputee and power wheelchair user, Gavin's cause is near and dear to my heart. The reality is this: disabled people have little-to-no help for anything not directly related to the medical aspect of our lives. Typical, abled people don't think twice about going to dinner with their friends, grabbing a drink, meeting for a pickup game of basketball, etc. People assume that disabled people have equal access to recreational activity, that we have the innate ability to simply enjoy ourselves. The reality is that most of us don't have access to transportation or money, in order to be able to simply meet our friends/family at a restaurant for dinner. Let me try and put it in perspective. Could you imagine if you only left your house/apartment when you needed to go to the doctor, get your car fixed, or pick up groceries? How quick would life become a dreary mess? I'd venture to guess that it would happen rather quickly.

Armed with this knowledge, as well as his own lived experiences, Gavin put his money where his mouth was: he reached out to his local legislators. If nobody was going to do something, he'd take it upon himself to be the change he needed. Gavin first spoke with Pasco County Commissioner, Lisa Yeager, about his plight. From there, he was invited by Representative Adam Anderson to speak at the Capitol in Tallahassee, albeit for a separate issue. While there, Gavin advocated for the passage of House Bill 907, which has since passed. As a result, the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases was created. This institute will be huge for families with children, who have been diagnosed with rare diseases. It would include coverage for people with Friedreich's ataxia, which is what Gavin is diagnosed with. The goal is to, "...improve the quality of life and health outcomes for children and families affected by rare diseases by advancing knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric rare diseases through research, clinical care, and advocacy." If you'd like to read the Bill in its entirety, click here.

So, where do we go from here? I think that we take Gavin's story, look at what he's accomplished so far, and remain hopeful that his actions, as well as the actions of other Disability Rights activists, pave the way for a more accessible future. I hope that Gavin's work continues to bear fruit, that he inspires you to take action, fighting for what you believe in.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Andy Brettner: The Man With The Million Dollar Smile

It might seem like actors, actresses, and models just have to stand there and look pretty, but their jobs require a lot of hard work, passion, and sacrifice. I was lucky enough to sit down with wheelchair user Andy Brettner, an up-and-coming model who had his first photoshoot not long ago. Andy loves the camera, and it was easy to see that it loves him back.

As with most professional careers, modeling is all about who you know. It turns out that Ethan Holt, a friend of Andy’s, had landed a modelling gig through an organization called Help Us Gather (HUG). They connected Ethan with local shop Surf Style, which has since featured him on their website and in their stores. After learning about Ethan’s experience, Andy knew that this was his opportunity. After speaking with HUG, the organization connected Andy with Surf Style, and the rest is history.

“Andy has always liked to have his picture taken,” said his mom Marilyn, “but I’m not sure that being a model was always something that he strived for.” Regardless of his initial thoughts, and even though he stumbled into his first gig by accident, this first photoshoot sparked something within Andy.

Before moving forward, I want to make a very important point: getting a call back on your first attempt is very rare. So, when Andy heard that Surf Style wanted to use him to market their brand, everything felt like it just started clicking into place. But why did they pick him? “They loved my smile,” Andy told me. Marilyn said that they called it his “money maker,” one that gives him a Tom Cruise via Top Gun kind of vibe.

Remember when I said that modeling is hard work? While Andy’s natural handsomeness shines through, his Cruise-like looks certainly take some effort to maintain. Since his skin is dry in certain areas but oily in others, this model uses Ulta products to make sure that he stays camera-ready. And even though he proclaims to be high maintenance, Andy's photoshoot went rather smoothly. From start to finish, it took a mere three hours.

As a wheelchair user myself, Andy’s natural talent is refreshing to me, but it also draws attention to an extremely important topic: there need to be more actors, actresses, and models with disabilities. After his photoshoot with Surf Style, Andy has since appeared on ABC Action News, Fox 13, and has a couple more in the pipeline. He will even be featured on a billboard outside of Surf Style’s Treasure Island location. 

Naturally, this made me start to wonder: why should a company pick Andy for a photoshoot, or anybody else with a disability, instead of somebody that is able-bodied? Jokingly, he told me because he smiles more. But his drive to succeed reaches much deeper than his jovial facade, perfect smile, and sense of humor. Beneath all of that lies Andy’s passion for the art, which he wants to, “...keep doing for the rest of [his] life.” This drive to work, to create, to contribute to something bigger than ourselves is a feeling that is shared amongst a large number of people with disabilities, myself included.

You may be wondering: what’s next for Andy? Well, his current bucket list includes landing modelling jobs for Publix or a variety of shoe companies. And since his first shoot went so well, these goals are certainly in the realm of possibilities. For agencies interested in hiring Andy for modeling gigs, send me an email at: kdr@custom-mobility.com.

Author:

Kyle Romano

John Kenefick & ReggieRoo: A Robot With A Heart Of... Cardboard?

At first glance, John Kenefick may appear more “outside-of-the-box street performer,” and less “conventional artist.” Using recycled paper products (did we mention that he’s unconventional?), this passionate people-person uses his artistic talents to create what he calls “Companion Robots.” Animated and life-sized, John’s cardboard companions are easy to spot as they hitch a ride on the back of his power wheelchair. Together, they bring joy to the people of St. Pete. And in a life before COVID-19, they could usually be found around the country, frequenting John’s favorite music festivals.

Creating these robots has helped John to learn more about himself, and to become more comfortable with his spinal cord injury. Now his favorite form of “therapy,” John describes that these Companion Robots have changed his own perspective on life, as well as his notions of disability, “These creations are helping me adapt, in a positive and uplifting way, to my spinal cord injuries. They help me to feel safe and protected because they stand up right behind me and protect my head and shoulders. And it’s a fun way to interact with people!”

In 2002, after sustaining multiple injuries to his spinal cord, John was new to the world of disability. At first, he had a difficult time coping with his injuries, which included: chronic pain, loss of mobility, and mental health strain. All of this changed when a random event transformed his life. In 2017, he saw a puppeteer who was accompanied by a Cardboard Companion that was sticking out of her backpack. This puppet’s name was Reggie, and it was at least fifteen feet tall. Seeing this stranger gave John a strong desire to have a Reggie of his own. After a bit of tinkering, he figured out how to carry the creation on the back of his manual wheelchair. The next year, his Reggie accompanied him to the Bonnaroo Music Festival, gaining some popularity and the nickname ReggieRoo. Every year after that, John, ReggieRoo, as well as several other Cardboard Companion Robots, frequented both Bonnaroo (www.bonnaroo.com) and Coachella (https://coachella.com/ada). 

In 2017, John started this journey by volunteering, working, and attending music festivals with his daughter. While he began this work to help others and make them smile, access to backstage passes certainly sweetened the deal. But how did John intend to brighten the day of his fellow concert-goers? For starters, he worked with Bonnaroo’s Accessibility Department, where he helped those with disabilities by providing sign-language interpreters, coordinating ADA shuttle service to each stage, and helping to arrange accessible camping spots for attendees with disabilities. These locations were located just a few yards from the festival’s entrance.

Before he began toting around his cardboard buddies, John felt slightly disconnected from people. Even though he began building these Cardboard Companion Robots for himself, John quickly realized that they were much more than that. In fact, they started gaining attention from people outside of his frequented music festivals. When strangers would see him on the street, John noticed a significant change in the way that they interacted with him. Instead of giving a quick nod or wave before moving on, more people actually started to approach him. Before John knew it, strangers were taking pictures, smiling, talking, and laughing with him. To him, the importance of his robots lies in their ability to create a “connection” and “pathway” between himself and the general public. In an irony that hasn’t eluded us, John believes that his robots help others to see him as a “fellow human being.”

Whenever he isn’t working on his Cardboard Companion Robots, John spends his time helping to coordinate music festivals. Before he began working with Laura Grunfeld, the founder of "Everyone's Invited" and leader of Bonnaroo's Access Department, John hadn’t thought too much about the effort that goes into creating accessible, outdoor spaces. He quickly learned that the “Everyone’s Invited” team has a deep understanding and passion for inclusion and accessibility. Their dedication has helped them to find creative solutions, which has helped to greatly improve access for their patrons with disabilities. In addition, Laura has also worked with a number of prestigious events and festivals, including: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Bonnaroo, The Governor’s Ball, Outside Lands, Electric Forest, TomorrowWold, and Firefly. Needless to say: John is in good company.

Currently, Bonnaroo is set to take place September 2-5, 2021. Unfortunately, these dates may change because of COVID-19, so make sure to check the status of the festival as September gets closer. John has extended an open invitation for our WheelieGoodLifers to attend with him. If you’d like to learn more about Bonnarroo, or Laura Grunfeld’s “Everyone’s Invited, LLC,” please click here. You can also email Laura at: access@bonnaroo.com. And if you are interested in attending Bonnaroo, please make sure to arrange your Accessible Camping Accommodations as soon as possible.

Lastly, if you’d like to create a Reggie of your own, John has provided us with everything that you’ll need. You can easily create your Cardboard Companion from recycled cardboard, toilet paper rolls, tissue paper, and yarn. All you need is some paint, glue, and a bit of imagination. When you create your Cardboard Companion, please share it with us! Email us pictures of yourself and your robot. We just may feature you on our Facebook Page or website.

Materials Needed to Make Your Own “Cardboard Companion RooBot” or “Mini-Bot” (Note that the “Mini-Bot” is quicker and easier to make)

1. At least one (1) Toilet Paper Roll (without any toilet paper on the roll)

2. Several sheets of Tissue Paper or Decorative Paper, which will be used to paper mache/decorate your “Mini-Bot”

3. Wheat Paste

4. Paint Brushes

5. Masking Tape

6. Uncooked Rice

7. Acrylic paint set

Step-By-Step Instructions:

SQUARE BOTS

• One Toilet Paper Roll makes 2 Mini-Bots

1) Take your Toilet Paper Roll and cut it into 2 halves.

2) Change the round tubes into square tubes.

• First, make crease marks (see photo) on top and bottom of the rolls by slightly flattening the tubes. Flatten just enough to see where the creases for the two corners are (mark those two creases). Do this on the Top and the Bottom of the Toilet Paper Roll.

• Second, make the other creases needed for the two other corners (mark those two creases). Just like before, flatten only enough to see where the creases are for the two new corners that you’ve made. Do this on the Top and the Bottom of the Toilet Paper Roll. Now, we have a TP Roll that’s Square not Round.

3) Next you will make identical size/length cuts on each of the creases.

• Make four, identical-sized cuts on the top and bottom or your Toilet Paper Rolls, which are now in the shape of squares. What you’ve created is a miniature sized cardboard box.

4) Now, fold your Box Top and Bottom

5) Before you seal them shut with masking tape, put uncooked rice inside your boxes. Then, seal it shut.

6) Cut your decorating paper into manageable sizes.
7) Take your paint brush and dip it in the wheat paste. Use a light coat of it on the Mini-Bot and the paper. Apply the paper to the Mini-Bot. Repeat this process as many times as you’d like.
8) Allow it to air dry. To make the drying process quicker, use a hairdryer.
9) The final touch is painting.

Authors:

Mary Carol Peterson

Kyle Romano

Edited by:

Kyle Romano

Olivia Babis, Political Advocate For Disability Rights

Oliva Babis, a public policy analyst for Disability Rights Florida and one-time candidate for the Florida Senate, has often faced a variety of barriers and
discrimination. You see, she was born an amputee. Because she dealt with these obstacles at an early age, Olivia's experiences taught her to battle for herself and other people with disabilities. And that was just the beginning. By overcoming these challenges, Olivia steeled her resolve and became the incredible disability advocate that she is today.

Olivia went on to become a public policy analyst for Disability Rights Florida, and later a Democratic Candidate for the Florida Senate. But what set her on this path? Like most people with disabilities, Olivia has faced her fair share of barriers and discrimination. And like many others, her journey began in the public school system. She began by attending a Polk County elementary school, where she was placed in a Special Education class. Though Olivia neither had a learning nor an intellectual disability, it was difficult for her family to convince the county to mainstream her into a "typical" classroom. On top of that, accessible transportation was an issue. If Olivia had to take a wheelchair accessible bus to school, she would've missed an hour of class... Every day... By chance, her grandmother worked in the school system, and was able to help Olivia get to and from school.

After a drastic amount of effort and time, Olivia was partially mainstreamed in the third grade. There, she spend part of her day with the Special Ed. class, and the rest with a "typical" class. At this time, there weren't many public schools that were wheelchair accessible. As a result, Olivia had to attend specific schools that could accommodate her needs and was often separated from her friends. If you ever had to change schools as a kid in elementary school, you can imagine how it made her feel. And since she was forced to attend different schools because of her disability, we can only imagine how much more uncomfortable that made her feel.

During her time in Special Education, Olivia became friends with other kids that had a wide range of disabilities. What Olivia began to notice, was that each person had their own set of needs, unique to themselves. After graduating with her Bachelor’s in History, Olivia became passionate about advocating for disability rights. What she learned encouraged her to fight against injustices related to people with disabilities. Olivia set her sights on politics, using that platform to raise awareness for the disability community, which doesn’t get much attention in the mainstream media.

Since starting her career in politics, Olivia has worked on a number of prestigious campaigns, and has continued to fight for her people. The first piece of legislation that she was assigned, through Disability Rights Florida, was related to a statewide straw ban. Olivia wanted to show that a ban on straws wouldn’t just affect the environment, but that it would harm disabled people. And while the bill passed through Florida legislation, it was unfortunately vetoed by the governor. This campaign was still important because it did succeed in raising awareness about disability rights.

In 2018, Olivia decided to check off a bucket list item: she was going to run for office. After Greg Steube resigned from the Florida State Senate District 23, the opportunity finally presented itself. During her campaign, Olivia shed light on a number of disability-related issues. One of her main goals was to reach people who were federally recognized as "disabled," even though they didn't consider themselves to be. As a result, many of these individuals couldn't receive the government assistance that they needed to stay healthy. By also addressing issues such as abuse and neglect, she wanted to create solutions to benefit the lives of people with disabilities and the elderly.

Unfortunately, though not by much, Olivia came up short in the election. Despite this minor setback, this portion of her political career has been extremely important for all people, and put a face to this civil rights issue. Since this topic doesn't often get the spotlight, Olivia’s campaign was important because it served as an important teaching moment for our community.

Olivia’s determination, ingenuity, and tireless work ethic continues to  propel her career and advocacy efforts forward. Her actions show the unlimited potential of people with disabilities, and demonstrate the importance that they play in their communities. Olivia is an invaluable resource for our local community, who will continue to fight for the rights of people with disabilities.

Author:

Kyle Romano

Christine Garner, The Hero We Need

Meeting Christine Garner, the very first thing you'll notice is her wonderful smile, framed by flowing locks of curly hair. Her bubbly demeanor captures you, first radiating from her eyes. When she speaks, you instantly realize, beyond her buoyant personality, that she is someone truly memorable. And though her life has been filled with difficulty, she persevered. Christine's inner strength and her gift for storytelling will inspire you. And as our current Ms. Wheelchair Florida, she is unforgettable.

As a person with a disability, Christine has a unique perspective on life. She navigates cerebral palsy; PVL (periventricular leukomalacia), a brain injury which manifests as "holes" in the brain; and Kienbock's disease, a condition which adversely affects the central bone in the wrists. Growing up with impairment-related limitations, she learned to be persistent and to speak up. Her sense of justice growing within her, and as a person with a disability, Christine was drawn toward advocacy work. For example, upon entering St. Pete College in her pursuit of a Bachelor's of Science in Biology, Christine learned that the Students With Disabilities Services department was not required to provide students with classroom aids. Yet, these aids would provide necessary assistance helping disabled students complete physical tasks such as note taking, retrieving binders, carrying books, and assisting with any other of a variety of important school activities. By law, public universities must ensure that all students with disabilities have the same ability to succeed as their able-bodied peers. So, because of this regulatory provision, Christine began advocating for these institutions to cover the cost of classroom aids for their students with disabilities.

Christine’s continued dedication to the disability community was unwavering. In addition to her studies, she began working for a Non-Profit called Heaven’s Drop. It is an invaluable source for both veterans and people with disabilities. Heaven’s Drop provides their employees with on-the-job training, teaching manufacturing skills to veterans and people with disabilities. By learning skills such as sewing, their employees have learned how to repurpose military parachutes. They are transformed into backpacks, assorted bags, keychains, and bandanas, just to name a few. While working at the Non-Profit, Christine is the 'go-to' person. Her responsibilities include promoting, creating packaging, organizing the warehouse, and taking phone calls.

Christine’s journey began with advocacy. So naturally, she was driven to pursue another platform that would allow her to make a greater impact on the community. At first, the twenty-two year old college student was reluctant. In response to the outcry of her family and friends, she was convinced by friends and family to compete in the Ms. Wheelchair Florida Pageant. Christine never imagined that she would hold the title of Ms. Wheelchair Florida. In fact, she never even thought that she should compete for it in the first place. So when the time came for the pageant, neither Christine nor her mom Tricia, expected much. After all, this occasion marked her first entry into pageantry and she was also its youngest contestant. To her pleasant surprise, Christine was appointed the title of Ms. Congeniality! Accomplishing this milestone far exceeded any of her or her mother's expectations. Her mom even thought to herself, "Well that's it. She won Ms. Congeniality!" The position, which is determined by a popular vote from the other contestants, qualified Christine for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Florida.

When the time finally came, Christine's name was announced as the overall winner of the pageant. She and her mother were in shock. Christine didn’t simply win. She was elected Ms. Wheelchair Florida by a unanimous vote!

Afterward, what ensued had been a whirlwind of excitement... and a new platform for her advocacy.

Christine's passion for helping others is at the center of her world. As Ms. Wheelchair Florida, she has expanded her role of representing people with disabilities. It was also very important for her to learn how to communicate about disability with others. “The biggest thing I learned is,” she said, “if you don’t know, ask. Educate yourself. Just open [up]. Most of us are willing to tell our story.”

Her strength and dedication invokes a sense of unity amongst the disability community, and promotes inclusion and acceptance in others. Christine advises both sides to learn from one another, “To be better advocates for themselves and each other. To break barriers and fulfill our dreams... We’re all the same. We all dream. We just need a little help, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

As Ms. Wheelchair Florida, Christine Garner continues to utilize her influence to insight change and champion movements for disability rights. Through her advocacy and involvement in our community, Christine hopes to continue to educate others about disability, and campaign for those who may be unable to.

Authors:
Kyle Romano & Luis Rodriguez