Becoming a Better Writer

Writing is a creative form of art that I enjoy besides music and the visual arts. I write all the time as a lifelong communication strategy. I have been blogging and writing articles for years, and have read tons of books and used social media, which have  provided me an opportunity to share stories about my life and everything I saw happening in the world. I find that social media has been useful for people with disabilities who seek support and opportunities to connect with others and tell stories that motivate them to become active writers. 

My mother, who has a degree in journalism, does a good job editing my writing assignments for classes and blog posts that helped me learn to write productively and professionally. In an interview with my friend Trent Tabor, he gave me an answer stating that, “I feel like for one, having taken a journalism class has helped a lot, and secondly, having an Editor in chief who knows other people and treats them with kindness and respect.” He added, “Having a good editor means one who knows everybody and understands them.” Based on the evidence I gathered from the interview, I agreed with him that both an editor and teacher are useful in improving writing skills to publish articles. Tabor and I were officially staff writers this year in the college newspaper, and we had an amazing editor-in-chief and a content strategist who took the time to review and edit all news articles. I have never taken a journalism class before, but I have taken many English classes that offered me sufficient amounts of educational support in learning to read and write properly. 

I feel like the three rhetorical features I use in my writing composition, such as ethos, pathos, and logos are my strengths that draw people’s attention to what I’m trying to say about the purpose of each article. Sometimes I’ve had a hard time comprehending parts of the content I read in an academic level which requires use of critical thinking and deep interpretation of what is being written, based on the author’s point of view. Being able to understand metaphors, vocabulary terms, and context clues is a technical challenge I have faced in language development, so I had to spend more time reading until I got an idea from what I have learned.  Because I’m deaf, it even takes me a bit longer to organize my writing than most people so it helps to work directly with an editor to make revisions before my work gets published. As a staff writer for the HCC Times, the organization uses WordPress to get news articles up to date so I was often responsible for ensuring that the ones I wrote are worth it for the readers. In high school, my speech language pathologist and I met in her office to go over the work I did in classes that involved writing about different things, so she gave me feedback on what changes were to be made and which parts of my writing pieces should be reworded. According to Tabor, he said in a statement, “I think next year, when I start writing more news articles, I think I’ll just get feedback from the editor in chief.” This quote seems really inspiring to me because I can always have a peer editor and use the feedback to organize my writing.  The accommodations I received in terms of speech in writing was one of the most helpful ways to meet my goals in life. For instance, I typically rely on assistance with typing up essays, documents, and rough drafts to stay on my pace. I also use my nose to write on my iPad and computer. In general, I use Microsoft Word and Pages as the main software options designed for writers who are visually impaired. It includes font styles that have to be large enough for me to proofread and watch for spelling mistakes and grammar errors. 

Now that I am a skilled writer, with the progress I made over many years of education and improvement, the next step I would take to go forward is to start writing more often and publish as many sources of mediation as possible. Right now, I want to develop a technique that focuses on promoting advocacy through writing by spreading out a combination of ideas about the world and what should be done to improve the lives of myself and others using the knowledge of diverse fields of study like sociology, political science, social work, and psychology.       

Building Connections on Disability: How Friendships Work for People with RTD

While many people don’t know what RTD is, there are many ways to foster and maintain relationships among those with and without the disorder. The purpose of this article is to explain the importance of forming meaningful connections with individuals with and without RTD by bringing everyone together to increase awareness of disability rights and inclusion.

No matter how RTD has impacted my life, I am generally a believer in equity and justice. But the question people ask is, “does it matter how many friends a person with a disability can have in a lifetime?” A simple way to answer is “no” because everyone has our own sense of who we are as human selves. Family and friendships are important ways to keep us happy, healthy, and balanced over time.

I must point out that some people with disabilities, especially those with severe autism and developmental disabilities, may find it difficult to interact socially with external sources, which results in fewer close friendships and prolonged isolation as they mature into adulthood. For those with RTD, the situation is a lot milder. Some benefit from groups like Best Buddies and other programs that focus on bringing people with special needs together with peers. The biggest thing I can remember is how lucky I was when I made lots of great friends in school due to the support, I was given to participate in extracurricular activities outside of the classroom. Although I was fortunate that these sorts of programs exist in my public school system, I still faced challenges even in these activities. For instance, sometimes people didn’t understand my speech completely or the activities focused more on those with cognitive challenges than physical, therefore activities were sometimes not accessible to me. There are programs exclusively for people with intellectual disabilities that doesn’t present much benefit to me.  Another factor contributing to my obstacles includes my visual/auditory impairment. I have learned to overcome these by being able to lipread and use residual hearing through a cochlear implant at the same time. I must be at least six to eight inches from the speaker’s face, and I eventually ask them to repeat what they say and slow down the timing and phrasing of words when I can’t hear them. As for unfamiliar people, instead of an ASL interpreter I use an app called Otter which works well by transcribing everything that is being said in group conversations.

Because RTD is a unique condition, I face a mix of challenges and opportunities in life. Having a physical disability with normal levels of intelligence is often difficult and isolating. Most programs for people with disabilities focus on those with cognitive or behavioral issues and are not a fit for me.  Activities for able bodied people often do not consider someone with my constellation of disabilities and are not accessible for me either.  I sit somewhere in between the world of the disabled and abled.  I have a strong desire to belong and live life as a regular person, and it’s hard to fit in. However, I am driven and motivated and believe I can use my situation to educate the world about people like me. I value advocacy and have confidence in my ability to bring about change in society around me. I have lots of hobbies and close connections with peers but not as many as people without RTD do. I have several friends with the same disease, and we started a support group on Facebook years ago that involves sharing stories about life experiences with RTD. This network has helped us recognize each other’s struggles to enrich our personal identity, as well as offering advice to both myself and the entire disabled community.

Now that I am an adult and still in college, I haven’t been as active socially as I was in the past. I only have a few close friends from high school, including the one who still lives in my town and we both are able to see each other multiple times a year. The other two moved away so the only way I can still see them is to do  so virtually. Right now I generally hang out with family members rather than being able to go places to meet new friends.  My siblings are totally independent and outgoing now, so I wish I could live like this. While most people my age usually find jobs in the community, I’m unable to pursue the same opportunities due to my physical limitations. Part of the issue is that RTD prevents me from driving alone or getting out of the house without assistance. This makes it a lot more difficult to make friends now than it was in high school. I have some college experience as though it has  taken me years of searching for social opportunities with appropriate peers. I’m currently a part-time student at HCC where I’m never active in a club or extracurricular organization. Last semester I found an opportunity to serve as a staff writer for the college newspaper which made me feel a little better about being active again.  

Dating is another obstacle some people face if they cannot find the right partner because of their disability. It doesn’t make any sense to me because I know there are plenty of people that love them. I am now 25 years old and still single, but I still hope one day I’ll find a partner and places to connect with other individuals with similar challenges and personal experiences.  I tried different dating sites  like Match_ Bumble, and Facebook Dating. However, almost all of them charged me a monthly fee for subscription and there were too many scammers and losers on these sites. Despite feeling frustrated it wouldn’t meet my connections, I prefer looking for love offline as long as I am engaged in activities and the workplace. If community resources are made available and barrier-free, I will have more opportunities in life. I don’t want anything to discriminate or exclude me…I am a believer in activism, and I always understand my rights and try my best to be social and helpful to others.

The next step I would take to narrow connections in life is to find a path. I chose to pursue a career in social work since I enjoy helping others search for solutions to improve their human wellbeing. For instance, I’m interested in working at a local government agency that regulates funds for disability benefits and services like Medicaid and Social Security.

There are so many things people with RTD can do to build strong connections with the real world. As a social worker, I will work hard to succeed in meeting everyone’s needs and break down all barriers. Developing meaningful relationships with fellow social workers can benefit my connections, too.

It’s time to start thinking about possible solutions that may allow people like me to make decisions about the future of social interactions. Friendships and interests in hobbies change over time. There are many ways to be successful including use of technology, learning new skills, and getting to know people who are able to contribute to the same mission. A career in social work is my preferred goal to make a big difference in the lives of at-risk populations including not only people with disabilities but also low-income families who can’t afford education and healthcare for children. To be active in this field I would start volunteering and finding membership organizations to allow social work students to learn the skills and develop communication methods in working with clients and employees. I will try harder to make that happen and continue the efforts to maintain close connections.

Fallingwater

 

On May 11, 2022, I did a presentation in my art class explaining how this original work of art inspires me. I studied the work designed by an American architect Frank Lloyd Wright called the Fallingwater, and created a new version of this work of art with use of my own imagination. It is a vacation house designed and constructed in 1935, which consists of approximately 5,100 acres of natural land around it. The bottom part is filled with rocks and waterfalls flowing through the stream.  The house rises at least thirty feet above the waterways supported by contilevvered concrete. Beneath the surface of the grounds are coal and clay that move up the mountain.

I chose the piece of artwork because Fallingwater is one of the most inspiring places across the globe to millions of people that view its strength of architecture and nature. It is located in Western Pennsylvania which became known as Mill Run. It has been open to the public since late ‘60s as a historical center for guided tours where anyone can go inside the house and observe the surroundings of nature. One thing I liked about the work is that the house and site together formed an image of a man’s desire to engage with nature. This figure is an example of how people appreciate nature as a concept of their daily lives. I am struck by the point where Wright’s partnership with Edgar Koufman was a huge success in developing ideas about modern design and natural beauty.

After the construction of Fallingwater began, the floor plan isn’t the same as in most private homes. It is made out of stone instead of wooden surfaces or tile, with very low ceilings and corner windows that break the box of a house. On the first floor is a compact kitchen, living room, and simple rooms. There are three small bedrooms on the second floor and a study room on the third floor. The chimneys are made to be the highest point of the house.

In my imagination, Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the greatest architects of all time, because he introduced organic architecture as a pharmanon that many artists show interest in the visual arts field. Organic architecture is a term used to describe the harmony between humans and the natural environment. I find these design features interesting because when Wright put together his work he used glass and cantilever as the main elements of Fallingwater, along with a central core for stone and fireplaces. In addition to his work he added sculpture to terraces made of reinforced concrete with corners in right angles.

I’ve always wanted to feel connected with the natural world through observation of Wright’s artwork. Organic architecture is my favorite of all the topics I’ve studied this semester. With that in mind, I’m even hoping to visit Fallingwater one day and take a tour around it. If you were like me, the pieces of advice I would give you are to learn more about his journey and development of architectural techniques that are relevant to art history. There are tons of articles and publications available to read about the architect, so don’t feel discouraged when reading. You can select whichever sources you find that you feel are most accurate to you.

My Return to Campus Life…FINALLY!

 

Tuesday was finally my first day back to in-person education since March of 2020. I had a wonderful time getting to know my classes and the people there. I’m extremely ecstatic about the possibility for new memories and opportunities that will be available to keep me busy. For instance, I’ve recently applied for a position as a writer for the HCC Times Newspaper. It is a college-based organization that calls for students interested in public communications and journalism to serve in the network. If I get accepted, I’m hoping to write/publish articles covering diverse subjects, which include how the lives of people with disabilities have been affected by the pandemic, the benefits and drawbacks of technology versus human connectedness, and the interactions between college and its impact on student mental health and well-being. In addition to my considerable goals for this semester, I’m looking into hosting workshops on the topic of disability activism. I have invested many hours studying existing laws that protect the rights of disabled individuals and would specifically apply to my interests in doing so. Another fun thing that might happen is having the opportunity to attend a special program for young adults with disabilities at the Image Center.

 

Before COVID I had a transcriptionist who took notes for me during class which made the lecture experience successful. However, once the college shut down and operated remotely, I realized the transcription services were not available for me to participate in virtual instruction, which left me excluded from the community. Until recently, the only thing I did was sit there in my dining room and complete assignments for credit and spent a lot of tine alone. Now that the situation has changed and my uncertainty about the future is nearing an end which makes me feel much better about life again. I’m excited to be back in school and do all the activities I enjoy! The last two years were the toughest I ever been through but hope is already on the way.

New Artwork Update

New Artwork Update

I wanted to announce here that I have been working to produce more artwork than ever before. First of all, I started a philanthropic business on RedBubble that sells a wide variety of merchandise and other products that includes my images on them. More recently, I did a political cartoon titled “The Power of Democracy and the Americans with Disabilities Act'' which is rich in detail and depicts government decisions about how disabled Americans should be represented in the country. It also reminds me of the importance of activist practices that promote an inclusive climate for all people with disabilities.

The purpose of this image is to raise awareness of issues this group has faced amid social, educational, and economic inequalities. I included a quote at the bottom of the image to describe my criticism of why disabled people should become treated equally. It is now available in the main shop. Click the link below to view the latest updates. You can explore more about the work in addition to the products on sale.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/BrookevilleAlex/shop?asc=u

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)

By Alex fitzgerald

You might already know that fear is part of human life. It’s normal to feel afraid of something that triggers reactions to an event or situation. Most of us experience short-term symptoms of trauma and recover naturally. Imagine that there was a time when you had been bullied by someone at school that you had to deal with the incident. People who overcome a dangerous situation during or after a traumatic event experience physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that persist over a period of time. The levels of fear differ among individuals and groups who go through a traumatic event. A fight-or-flight response consists of defenses against harm that protect a person from danger.  This type of reaction plays an important role in the body’s ability to minimize stress hormones that increase a person’s risk for developing chronic conditions including PTSD.

Research suggests that extreme reactions differ significantly in children and adults compared to those without PTSD. A mental disorder in which people have witnessed a terrifying event is known as PTSD. It is more than just general fear that causes a range of symptoms. These include flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts and feelings. It has been commonly diagnosed by psychiatrists and psychologists for decades. Many of today’s clinicians in the mental health field show interest in working with patients who suffer from PTSD and helping them cope with troubling experiences.  Children who are exposed to traumatic events are more likely to choose disruptive behaviors and engage in poor social situations. They may feel anxious, distressed, and guilty about the interference with their daily routines. Intense fear is the most common symptom that people continue to experience over the course of their lives. Examples of traumatic events that trigger the symptoms are natural disasters, accidents, terrorism, sexual and physical abuse, and serious illness. Most people have reactions that go away in a short time while others develop related conditions that last longer. According to the information from the American Psychological Association, one-third of patients diagnosed with PTSD recover within six months after a traumatic event has occurred.

If you have experienced divorce or death of a relative, you may be exposed to stress and trauma but unlikely to develop the disorder. If you have been injured in a car accident you are probably at greater risk for having severe anxiety and may relive through reminders of the event. Some people are afraid of heights while on an airplane, however it doesn’t necessarily mean trauma. During post World War II and the attacks on 9/11, historically these events created national fears that American survivors of the past incidents would get killed. Research has shown that child abuse and exposure to neighborhood violence are the biggest risk factors that trigger the development of symptoms. These examples are a useful way to help us recognize and understand reasons why people develop PTSD. People with this disorder don’t function as well as before a traumatic event. But the good news is that there are many ways of coping that take place through advice offered by people you trust, especially from a family member, guidance counselor, or therapist.

PTSD causes many problems in daily life. It can undermine the ability to attend to tasks, perform well in school and at work, and maintain meaningful relationships. It can also cause a combination of mental and physical health problems that may require frequent medical attention. These life consequences depend on the severity of symptoms and how much of a threat it poses. Most people who feel stressed are immune to many of these causes of trauma.

People with PTSD often avoid situations that remind them of a trauma. This results in increased lack of social support and engagement in activities, depression, substance abuse, and in some cases, suicide and death.  However, anyone diagnosed with mild PTSD tend to function better and may receive guidance when under stress. Related symptoms include shock, anger, nervousness, mood swings, reliving, and even guilt. Some people experience multiple symptoms than usual. Not everyone who encounters a traumatic event develop the disorder and feel intense fear. Meanwhile, the majority of people experiencing an event feel generally stressed and their functioning improves over a short term. Each person reacts to trauma differently and has his/her own ability to manage stress, fear, and situation. There are times when people have difficulty dealing with certain things that pose a threat to them. A child born with a family history of mental health problems are more likely than healthy individuals to suffer from the illness. Data indicates that PTSD made up approximately 3.6% of the adult population across the United States, with an estimated 7.8 million Americans that will develop it at some point. The diathesis-stress models suggest people who inherit a genetic predisposition to develop PTSD experience stressors during adolescence and come from parents who fail to protect them from life-threatening events.  

There are several different treatment approaches used to help people with PTSD manage symptoms after a traumatic event. Psychotropic medication and therapy are both highly effective in treating the disorder. Psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants to relieve feelings of anxiety and uncontrollable fears, while therapists teach clients about the disorder and coping strategies. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy emphasizes interpretation of events that lead to disturbing thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of behavior. This type of therapy is an important method in which therapists have the power to change patterns of behavior and help people be aware of their problems. There is clear evidence that psychotherapy causes fewer side effects than medication. Exposure therapy is another type of treatment that is provided in a stable location. It focuses on exposing a person to traumatic situations and helping them reduce anxiety and fears. Group therapy is found to be helpful for people with PTSD who prefer sharing their thoughts and feelings to others with the same experiences. Exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying connected with friends Anne family are excellent methods to prevent from developing PTSD.

When deciding which treatment option works best for you, you should:

• talk with your mental health provider.

• Consider the pros and cons for each treatment

• Arrange a diagnosis of symptoms you have developed so psychologists can determine the severity and appropriate intervention.

•