Disability Connection

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  • May, Mon, 2013

A TRUE Love Story…

A love story you won’t soon forget… told through pictures.

Professional Photography Via Tim Dodd

 

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Thank you for your love.

 

  • May, Fri, 2013

Heather and Melinda Ownby

Learning to Live

Check out this video of Heather and Melinda Ownby – two of our community heroes! This second video documents life changes for Heather, who is diagnosed with a learning disability, an IQ level of 31, ODD, and ADD.

  • Dec, Thu, 2012

Dance of the Hands

The Thousand-Hand Guanyin

Besides being astounding simply because of the tight coordination required, all the performers of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin in this video are deaf-mutes. The dancers rely only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage.

The first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics.   However, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin has long been in the repertoire of the Chinese Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, and has been performed in more than 40 countries. The lead dancer is 29 year old Tai Lihua, who has a Bachelor’s of Arts from the Hubei Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival this year. Please enjoy!

Dance of the Hands

  • Aug, Thu, 2012

Dempster Family Foundation

This is a very good example of putting your fame to good use. Ryan Dempster former pitcher of the Chicago Cubs, now with the Texas Rangers, has decided to use his notability to promote awareness of a little known syndrome that affects almost as many people as Down Syndrome. It is called 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Ryan first became aware of this syndrome when his daughter was diagnosed as an infant. She is now three years old. Ryan and his wife, Jenny, are also some of the most vocal about the need for testing newborn babies. To read more about the syndrome or for some helpful resources, check out the Dempster Family Foundation.
Dempster Family Foundation

  • Aug, Wed, 2012

Bethany Burnette

This young lady is an inspiration. She has over come many challenges to get to where she is today. As a young girl, everybody just thought she was “a dumb kid” or “a little slow” and that she would never finish school. Bethany was shy in school but she would shine on stage. She was into acting, singing, dancing, and most of all beauty pageants. Finally in high school one of her teachers mentioned to her parents that she might be Autistic. Sure enough, the doctor confirmed it. Now is a recording artist who performs at many different venues. She has even performed the National Anthem at a Mississippi Surge hockey game.

The Official Site of Bethany Burnette

  • Mar, Thu, 2012

Derek Paravicini Overcomes Disability to become Piano Phenomenon

This is a great video to show how we can overcome our disabilities and follow our passions. Derek is a masterful musician who is blind, with disabilities so severe, he can’t tell his right hand from his left, or hold anything but the simplest of conversations. Not only is he a gifted musician, but his overall view on life is what makes him a great person and a true inspiration. Read More