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Tag: New Jersey
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Tales of Affection
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“The guy” paradox
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A Spiritual Anecdote
One day a few years ago, I was walking down the Atlantic City Boardwalk with one of my caregivers. Sadly, that person is no longer with us. We had just lost a few dollars at a casino (don’t worry, it wasn’t much). Afterward, we sat on a bench, talking and enjoying the day. Then, out of nowhere, two strangers walked up to us. They asked if they could pray with us. It was an unusual request for 2 in the afternoon, but I figured, why not?
Photo by ALTEREDSNAPS on Pexels.com So, I gave them my hands and closed my eyes. The man prayed out loud, saying, “Dear Lord, please bless this man so that the demons leave his body and he may walk.”
Hi, my friend! I hope you’re doing well. What would you do if something like this happened to you? After it was over, I just said thank you, and we exchanged a few nice words. But my first instinct was to laugh! I pray all the time, but I wasn’t expecting that.
Some people might say I’m being punished and that only God’s grace can take me out of this wheelchair. But I don’t believe that.
I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. This isn’t a religious blog. It’s about advocacy and awareness. Talking about God shouldn’t be controversial, but I understand why it is for some people. Just like with disability, not everyone will understand.
Here’s the thing: I couldn’t write this blog or live my life without my disability. People like me, in the disability community, have made a difference in the world—one day at a time. And no matter your faith or beliefs, we can all agree on one thing: God is perfect, and He doesn’t make mistakes.
John 9:3 NIV [3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Some people ask me, “How can you say that when you’re in a wheelchair every day?”
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com This is what I know to be true: Without my cerebral palsy, my family wouldn’t be as close as we are. My disability didn’t just affect me—it took all my family members, by blood and by choice, to help get me where I am today. And I think that’s true for most people with disabilities. Having a disability like mine makes you see the world differently, no matter how much you wish you could be like everyone else.
Here’s something many people don’t realize: You will suffer in life, but you aren’t given life just to suffer. My life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had plenty of days where I’ve been frustrated with myself—and with God. It does hurt to miss out on some experiences that others get to have.
But here’s what I’ve learned: A lot of the experiences I’ve had, and many others with disabilities have had, are things most people can’t even imagine. We aren’t given anything we can’t handle. Giving up on ourselves and others is easy. But the mission is to find the good. Living with a disability, it’s easy to focus on the bad. But we spend our lives finding the good in the darkness.
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Never Forget
Apologies, this was supposed to go out on Thursday in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11 but I was unwell and could not publish it. I’m reposting this blog I feel there are still lessons we need to take away from the Horrific events of the 9/11 Terrace attacks. We must never forget!
Some days in life are unforgettable, no matter how hard we try. As we passed another anniversary of September 11th, 2001, I can still vividly remember where I was: sitting in my 8th-grade social studies class when the announcement came over the loudspeakers about the horrific attacks at the World Trade Center. It’s hard not to wonder—what would those who lost their lives that day think of the world we live in now?
I remember feeling hurt, confused, and angry. Race and religion didn’t divide us—we were united as proud Americans. There was no talk of kneeling during the national anthem, and political affiliations were the furthest thing from our minds. Fast forward over 20 years, and the country feels more divided than ever. We’ve stopped listening to each other. We’ve stopped valuing each other. Back then, when people lined up to donate blood, no one cared about skin color—all that mattered was that we all bled the same red.
The president is just one man, and we can’t place the blame for all of the country’s problems solely on him. It shouldn’t matter who voted for him; what matters is that we respect him as a fellow human being, just as every person deserves respect. We’ve lost sight of the fact that we can disagree with someone without branding them as racist or socialist. Over 3,000 people died on that day, and their deaths weren’t in vain. They remind us of the importance of our unity and the right to protest without tearing each other apart.
September 11th, 2001, isn’t about conspiracies or advancing social agendas. It’s about honoring the neighbors and heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s disheartening to think that more than 20 years later, we still haven’t fully learned the lesson they left behind—that we must stand united as a country and as a people.
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Gratitude V. Complaining
Happy Thursday friends. I’ve had a very troubling week. I know today is Thursday but since my podcast was released on the 15th which fell on a Wednesday I decided to push this back a day Have you ever woken up feeling like everything’s just wrong? Like the whole world’s against you? It’s something we all feel sometimes. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Is it because the world’s just messed up, or is there something about us that needs fixing?
I’ve always been someone who sees the bright side of things. Even when it seems like everyone’s complaining about what they don’t have, I try to focus on what’s good. Sure, there’s a lot of bad stuff out there—violence, discrimination, you name it. But that’s not what I want to talk about.
What bugs me is how we complain about every little thing just because our lives aren’t perfect. In this post, I want to compare some common complaints with my own experiences. Not to moan and groan, but to show that even when life’s tough, there’s still plenty to be thankful for.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Let’s start with feeling tired. We’ve all been there, right? Wanting to stay in bed a little longer. But for me, getting out of bed isn’t so simple. Every morning, I need someone to help me, which makes me see tiredness in a whole new light.
Then there’s the whole job situation. Feeling like you’re not making enough money, hating your job—sound familiar? It’s something I’ve felt too. But for me, the biggest challenge isn’t my disability—it’s the money struggles that come with it. The day I get my first paycheck? It’s gonna be a big deal, let me tell you.
And traffic? Don’t even get me started. As someone who can’t drive because of my disability, I rely on public transport. And let me tell you, it’s not always smooth sailing. What might be a quick trip for someone else can turn into an all-day ordeal for me.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. We need to stop taking things for granted and start appreciating what we have. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Instead of always wanting more, let’s learn to be happy with what we’ve got. So, I hope reading this makes you see things a little differently. Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Podcast also available on YouTube
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Guess Who’s Writing
Greetings friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the peak fall season. As you know my name is Kevin. I started This blog as a pet project. little by little and with the grace of God. it took off. I wanted to create a space where people with disabilities could write and share their own stories. I am overjoyed to say I now have an official writing team. Please let me introduce you to them. You will notice that my introduction is the longest not because of vanity I just never expected to have anyone else on the website. I will be crafting a new one soon. I will also be adding archives very soon so you can keep up to date with all the writings. God bless you.
Note: The authors of this page write of their own free will. They receive No monetary compensation. Any opinions expressed are theirs alone.
David Champignon
David Champignon Mr. David Champignon is a Political Science major from Edinboro University and a graduate of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Program. He is a proven leader and staunch advocate for people with disabilities. He currently lives with his wife Jenny in Sayre Pennsylvania. Alongside their dogs and cats, they are living proof that nothing is impossible. His experience blogging and semi-published works make him a perfect candidate to start this project with.
Kevin G. Nuñez Head Writer Hello and welcome to my blog. I am happy you chose to spend a little bit of your time with me. I’ve been wanting to do this for some time now. Please allow me to introduce myself and what I want to do with this website. A lot of people click the follow button without ever reading the about me page.
The short answer is I’m a follower of Jesus with a smart-aleck mouth. Who advocates for people and families living with developmental disabilities. In New Jersey. At the moment of writing this, I’m a 34-year-old man living with Cerebral Palsy. It’s a neurological impairment. It affects the connection between my spine and my brain. I use a wheelchair as my main tool for Independence. I still have to depend on others to do basic tasks. like using the bathroom, getting dressed, and transferring in and out of my wheelchair. I was able to attend a public school and College. Only my physical body is affected by this disability, not my mind and heart.
Let’s begin with my Foundation Jesus and spiritual growth. As a child, my family made sure I always attended church. So, I always believed in god but over the years I struggled and forgot to establish my connection. it’s hard to feel a Divine spark sometimes when society can make you feel less than others. forget about being picked last to play sports I couldn’t even play kickball at recess. my support person would kick the ball for me. girls have run away from me when I tried to ask them out.
I can never work because if I do I lose my health insurance. I’m glad to say I never felt sorry for myself, it always bothered me that people did so. I never saw myself as any better or worse than anyone else. I never felt “special. ” Then one day in 2020 I found myself downloading a few Bible apps to find something that was missing. That’s when I had my moment, Jesus is like a smartphone that little device we can’t live without. we may have the world at our fingertips but the more you take it off the charger you are dying. at least once or twice a day you have to connect to a higher source to succeed and be everlasting.
The next part of my life is fun to explain, if you’ve ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding that’s my family. only instead of Greek and Windex Puerto Ricans use Vicks Vapor Rub on everything! They are loud and they will always tell you what’s on their mind without the consideration of a filter. Yet, when you need support and need someone to have your back on the darkest day. There’s not a better group of people to have in your corner. The best part is throughout my life we have been able to add members of the family that are not blood who would do the same thing for me.
The next thing you’re wondering is what I do with my life besides writing these blogs. I am currently the vice chair of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. I realized pretty early on in life that I was given in this disability for a reason. I didn’t know what the reason was didn’t know what that reason was. Like I said believed but was not connected. I had to speak out for others who could not speak for themselves. it is a labor of love as I am nothing more than a well-recognized volunteer. I’ve never received any monetary compensation for any of the work I’ve done.
As for this website, it’s also a labor of love. There are so many misconceptions about the disabled population and the general public. I wanted to bridge the gaps between both worlds by sharing my own experiences. not for vanity but to put some actual positivity in the world. Please feel free to check out the Media Center and other publications on this website to see more work I’ve done to assist those like me.
The very last thing I want you to know about me is, I’m single ladies! I did not start this website to meet women. I promise you that but at this point, there is no point in not putting myself out there anything could happen. we need to learn to love the person and not what they can offer us like some sort of business arrangement. Yes, I know so many people can not handle a relationship. Due to the nature of their disability but everyone is affected differently by the disability. I will never be on the cover of People’s sexiest man addition. they keep denying my application. (LOL) That’s what I want to change. We need to see the person and not the disability.
That’s everything friends, if you have any questions please leave them in the comments I will be sure to read all of them. Follow my social media accounts linked to this website I post on them regularly. There will be new posts every Wednesday. Take care of each other and love each other. Have a great and blessed day see you soon.
Jesse Schwartzman
Jesse Schwartzman Jesse Schwartzman is a disability advocate who has worked in the legal, political, and advocacy fields. He currently works as an outreach and advocacy worker in the disability field. Jesse enjoys helping people and watching sports and movies. He can be reached at jesseschwartzman00@gmail.com.
Nicholas Taubenslag
Nicholas Taubenslag My name is Nicholas Taubenslag. I am a passionate transportation advocate for the Disabled Population.
I started my advocacy journey at New Jersey Partner’s In Policy Making where I learned about the history of advocacy. As well as the Disability Rights issues that are facing us presently. For example, Inclusive Education, SSI and Medicaid, Housing, and of course Transportation.
I hope to be an asset to this blog and spread my knowledge and life experience to the Disability Community as a whole.
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Who is Bill Byrne?
Quick question to all my readers, Do you know the name of your town mayor? I’ve lived in the southern part of New Jersey for almost 15 years now and I have no idea who he or she is. I’ve been advocating for my disability community officially since September 2016. I just move on to the next meeting trying to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Advocates and disability allies never acknowledge the work we do. We just keep going. There is an international disability community, we all work together to ensure dignity and respect for all regardless of circumstance. The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) hosted their Community Building Awards An event that is held every few years to honor leaders in the disability population.
Earlier this week I was left speechless When I met a real-life disability hero, Mr. Bill Byrne. I’m ashamed to say this but I did not grow up training or believing in disability rights. I had a very laid-back approach and let my parents do everything. I didn’t begin to discover my voice until well after I was 18. people like Mr. Byrne were rockstars to me. Everyone knows of Madonna and The Beatles for example. At least in New Jersey and in some national circles, That’s how people describe Bill to me. Here are some of his accolades:
- He is friends with Mayor Dorothy of Morristown, NJ. He regularly attends town council meetings.
- One of the biggest advocacy organizations used to be known as the Association for Retarded Citizens. Thanks to Mr. Byrne and his colleagues There now known as just The Arc.
- He petitioned the New Jersey government to have the words idiot, insane, and retard removed from the state constitution In the early 2000s.
- He sits on many state, local, and national boards.
- A proclamation was passed in his township that declared August 16th as Bill Byrne’s Day.
Yes, I knew he was receiving the Colleen Frazier award for Self Advocacy from the NJCDD weeks before the event. I am the vice chair of the NJCDD to be transparent. (They’re not sponsoring this article or any work that I post on this website.) It never occurred to me that I would see him there or sit at the same table as he did. I didn’t realize it until he came to shake my hand. This gentleman who had been raising awareness for disability issues since before I had braces talked to me like I was the next-door neighbor that he had known for years. So often I get frustrated because my work is not good enough for my perfectionist standards. I know we can all relate to that. We are so focused on tangible results, that we forget about the personal touch. Bill has mastered the personal touch.
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.”2 Corinthians 11:30-31 NIV
This man who cannot read or write and I’m sure has been put down by others, was so humble and passionate. The first words he spoke when he got up to the podium were to praise and Thank God. As a new Christian, this was the first time I completely understood the mission! All his work meant nothing to him without God. Mr. Byrne from one disability advocate to another, I thank you for showing me the way. You reminded me of what matters. I pray these words can help someone else. Thank you for reading I will see you next week.
Sources:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/morristown/bill-byrne-gets-his-day-in-the-sun
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Supporting the Disability Workforce
By Jesse Schwartzman
month we celebrate October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month
(NDEAM). NDEAM was declared by Congress in 1988 to spread awareness and the
contributions of people with disabilities while at work. People in the disability community want to
work and are ready to work now more than ever with small businesses, corporations, and our
own government looking to hire workers. Work should always include equal pay for equal work.
I am glad this month is here to bring awareness because there is still so much that needs to be
done in NJ and across the country. As reported on page 12 of Advancing New Jersey’s
Employment First Report, of the individuals receiving day and employment services from DDD,
only 14% are in integrated employment services, which is the eighth lowest in the nation.
Competitive integrated employment (CIE) is having people with disabilities earn the same pay
as others without disabilities. It means those with disabilities can work where people without
disabilities work. Across the country, the employment rate for adults with disabilities over the
age of 25 is bleak. Among the population ages 25 to 54, around 36% of people with a disability
were in the workforce, compared to 80% of those without a disability. For workers ages 65 and
older, 7.3% with a disability were in the workforce, compared to 21.7% without a disability.
Since the onset of the pandemic, now hiring signs are present at most businesses, and
corporations are now not only making commercials to get consumers to buy their products, but
they are also attempting to get consumers to work for them. According to a survey of 1,100
businesses by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Voices, 90% of businesses that are
hiring are finding it difficult to recruit qualified candidates for open positions. In March,
employers advertised a record 11.5 million job openings. The United States now has two job
openings for every unemployed person. The business community at large needs to work with
the disability community so more job openings can be filled by individuals with disabilities.
Common misconceptions such as believing every person with a disability needs a workplace
accommodation, are false. According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study, only 14.5
employees with disabilities request workplace accommodations. According to that same study,
companies with the most inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities experienced
nearly 30% higher revenues and greater economic profits.
In NJ work is being done to get more people with disabilities jobs. New Jersey Governor Phil
Murphy, has signed four bills that should improve the employment rate for people with
disabilities in NJ. S3455 Revises eligibility requirements for NJ Workability Program and
Personal Assistance Services Program. This means individuals with disabilities on Medicaid can
continue to receive services while starting or continuing to work without an income cap or age
cap. Bill S1937 signed by the Governor in 2021 establishes a task force to promote employment
by state agencies for people with disabilities, Bill A5294 signed by the Governor this year,
provides fast-track hiring and advancement employment opportunities by the state for persons
with significant disabilities. Lastly, Bill A5296 signed by the Governor this year provides for
employment by the state of certain persons with disabilities. All four have yet to be implemented
and we hope that Governor Murphy’s administration gets to work on the legislation.Source
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The History and Future of Disability Pride
As Americans, there are certain days we all recognize when we look at our calendars. Independence Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Martin Luther King Day. future generations of students will be taught about Barack Obama and Juneteenth. We have such a rich history to learn from and be proud of. However, there is a particular group of heroes that have been neglected. The time has come to acknowledge what they have done and call a new generation of advocates into action.
Rosa Parks and Jackie Robinson are names every person in this country knows. Unless you have a disability, names like Judy Heumann, Brad Lomax, and Katie Cole are foreign to you. These proud patriots are some of the leaders of the protest that has come to be known as the 504 Sit-in. Starting April 5, 1977, approximately 150 individuals with various disabilities occupied the Office of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in San Francisco for 28 days. To require enforcement of The Rehabilitation Act that was signed into law a few years earlier. For nearly a month these brave people risked their lives. Going without medication and personal care. You would think after such an effort You would see change begin to happen, but it took 13 years to see any tangible evidence of equality.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV
Let’s talk about July 26, 1990. Without using Google most of the population are unaware that this is the day the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. This legislation means much more than handlebars in the bathrooms and curb cuts on sidewalks. It guaranteed civil rights for individuals with disabilities. There is a misconception that because of this law All the problems of the disability community are solved. Earlier this week the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field for significant violations after a multi-year renovation project. How long must we remain an afterthought?
In the mid-1980s journalist, Geraldo Rivera did a series of stories exposing the horrific treatment of individuals in Developmental Centers. Earlier this year a nursing home in Sussex County New Jersey made national headlines for having our most vulnerable citizens in inhumane conditions leading to death and malnourishment. Over 200 humans were locked away without committing any crime and deprived of due process. I love this country and I am a proud American but advocates like myself Can no longer stand by while we sponsor second-class citizenship. That is not in the Constitution I studied.
Did you know that there is a disability pride flag? The colors are a separate concept from the rainbow flag identified with the LGBTQ community. The five colors represent the different needs and experiences of the individual. Mental Illness, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Sensory Disabilities. The month of July is known as disability pride month, but what exactly is disability pride? I was asked this question a few days ago, and this was my answer. “Disability pride is loving and accepting yourself, even though the world will not.”
Ken Capone leads the charge to end sub-minimum wage in segregated workshops. In the year 2022, they are still legal. Emily Voorde is a female with a disability. She is the Associate Director for Disability Community Engagement in the White House. Their tireless efforts are never seen. New Jersey has its own coalition of heroes. Keith Jones is a disability activist, award-winning author, and former presidential candidate. Project Freedom helps individuals obtain accessible housing. Their founder Norman Smith has a disability.
The inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads “”Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”” This was written in 1883 139 years later and people like myself Can’t read it, because of all those steps.
The next generation of disability advocates must not rest. We need to rise up and continue the work that has been laid before us. In January of 2022, Governor Murphy signed a law updating New Jersey’s WorkAbility program, as of July of the same year the legislation is still not implemented. With these updates, Disabled New Jersey residents would be able to earn a competitive wage, pay taxes, and keep their health benefits. By entering the workforce people who can work can support those with more complex medical needs. If we invest in more medical group homes we can avoid tragedies like the one mentioned above. This would create more jobs for caregivers and relieve stress on the overwhelmed disability care system. On the national level, We must end the marriage penalty and raise the $2,000 asset limit set in 1983. America cannot become the land of opportunity until all Americans have a chance to thrive.
Note: every advocate mentioned Is very well known. It is very easy to learn more about them if you just take the time
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