Scene: Inside my apartment as it is cold and snowy
outside.Temperature is 38 degrees and
cloudy.Dress style is casual but
relaxed.
Script:
Hello and welcome.This is my final selfie for Digital Storytelling.I know and understand we can sit and talk
about how much we have learned and shared with the class, but we do that every
day with our reviews and discussions.Instead I would like to take a moment and look back on the year 2016 as
we move forward into 2017.
“This is NOT the @TIME 'Person of the Year' cover we want; it's the 'Person of the Year' cover we
must acknowledge! #Death” (The-AnswerMan, Nov. 2016)
So many have declared that Time Magazine should and needs to
name the Person of the Year for 2016 the Angel of Death, and as we look back
one can understand why. We did not
simply loose celebrities this year; we lost people that helped influence how we
grew up.These were people that helped us
and guided us into our future; people such as Florence Henderson and Alan
Thicke, or the music of David Bowie and Prince.
There are many whose childhood will forever be influenced by Willy Wonka
and his infamous Gene Wilder, or Sir George Martin otherwise known as the
“fifth” Beatle.Many will recall Fidel
Castro and the extreme changes he brought to Cuba as its Marxist Leader until
2008.This and so many more have
impacted our lives, on both a personal and grander scale.The New Yorker posted a cartoon The New
Yorker ran a cartoon showing an angel at heaven's gate telling death,
"Maybe cool it on the beloved celebrities for a bit." (CNN.com, Nov.
2016)
In other news here in the US, we had a huge upheaval as far
as our election this year.Though Hillary
Clinton did not win the electoral votes, she did win the popular vote, making
this the first time a woman has won.What makes this outstanding and historical is this is now the second
time in a presidential election that we have seen history was being made.Yes, we have seen many upset and angry people
over Trump’s election, but there has been something to give pause also.And not just for women, but those who fight
for equal rights need to look at how significant this election overall has
been.How close has a woman ever come
before to becoming president of our great country?
As I sit here and reflect, I realize though this has not
been the easiest of years for me on a personal level, it’s been a year of
learning.Now we have 2017 to look
forward to.Look into the future with
hope, not sadness.Step onto those
cobblestones of time and remember life is fleeting.Death is simply a part of life.It will come.It is unavoidable and yes it is sad, but it can be joyful also.The people who passed away, who left us also
gave us a future.What that future is
depends upon all of us.Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukah, and Happy Holidays.It’s
been a pleasure.
Holidays season. Decorated inside with Christmas
decorations.Light Snow outside and
cold. Temperature 39 degrees and Cloudy.
Script:
Everyone has favorite memories of the Holiday Season.
Pause a moment and pull up yours. Do you ever recall Secret Santa?
I am sure you do, but did you know that Secret Santa is programs for Foster
Children sponsored by the Department of Social Services to help children in
foster homes have a brighter Christmas? No? Most people don’t?”NYS has 25,397 children in foster care on any
given day. (Adopt para. 21).That is of
the 400,000 that nationally spread through the United States.Image how many children go without the magic
of Christmas?
When we think of Secret Santa, often we think of the
participation at schools, businesses or other places where people work and play
together within the community. It is not very often we consider the
children in the Foster Care system. In truth, these children often get
overlooked as better off seen and not heard. Obviously, they are in the
system for a reason, yes? (Give some reasons) Children in Foster Care not only
have their own stories to tell, but need to know that people out there care
enough that they exist and matter. This will help guide children to make
the right decisions in the future, for their future helps to create our future.
You do not need to purchase expensive toys for these
children. Believe me, I know. I was once one of these children. Let
me tell you a story. When I was only 8 years old living in Kingston, New
York, our social worker came with a pile of Christmas presents. My
brothers and I had no idea where these presents came from, but it seemed
magical to us. It mattered not how much the cost of the Barbie I received
was, or if the G.I Joes my brothers opened up were genuine G.I. Joes.
What counted in the end was being able to unwrap those gifts and the magic of
feeling we had a Christmas to celebrate. Another time when I was 14, a
Secret Santa brought me a Unicorn.This
Unicorn traveled with me through various foster homes losing a leg, a wing,
even a horn, but it never lost its magic.
You do not need to go very far to find out how to
participate in such a program. Simply call your local Department of
Social Services and ask if they have a Secret Santa program for their Foster
Children. I never found out who our Santa was, but take the opportunity
to bring the magic of Christmas to a child’s life and let them feel that
someone, somewhere, cares. House of Rep. Democrat and Congressman, Jim
McDermontt says it best in this moving statement concerning the lost children
of America “We are going to be able to take better care of America’s most
vulnerable children because of the major reforms contained in this legislation,
and we are clearly telling these children they are not alone in America and
they can grow up in a loving, caring home with a chance at the American Dream.”
(Voice 29)
So please help make a child smile this Christmas and have a
happy, healthy Holiday filled with love and laughter.
Scene: Sitting inside in an armchair with a cup of herbal
tea, while outside it is 39 degrees and snowing.The script is contemplative and more personal
as to my own frame of mind in this more chaotic state of being of our
society.
Script
What’s on your mind?This is the daily question I encounter when I pull up Facebook in order
to read what others have posted randomly throughout their day; and yet as I sit
here typing I cannot help but feel that it is nothing more than an endless
puzzle.A Mobius strip that goes in a
loop back in on its self.How can I
simply answer a question such as this when I, myself, have no concrete answer
from one hour to the next?Shall I talk
about cats?Politics?Truthfully I rather not talk about politics.
Everywhere I look I see negativity.I will tell you a secret.I avoid the news.The state of humanity as a whole and what we
feel the need to report, or maybe it is the sensationalism that accompanies the
journalism makes me sad.I could care
less about Kayne West, or Kim Kardashian.I do not care who marries whom or why someone did something on
Twitter.
So what is on my mind?Maybe I need to see something positive. A reminder, that amongst all
that we have going on in this crazy, insane world, there is still good.Am I a believer in religion?Not by choice.Do I discourage others from believing?Not at all.Who or what you choose to believe in is your choice.Believe in gummy bears if it makes you feel
good.If it can make you walk up to someone
who needs help just by opening a door for them, do so.Remember what it means to be human.Look around you.Give someone passing you a smile.Did it hurt?
This is what is on my mind; the idea that we as humans are
so quick to judge, and less quick to forgive and understand.Remember when the holidays were not about
Black Friday or commercialism.They were
about families and friends.They were
about putting aside differences and reaching out to show someone you care.Let’s care once more.
Extra:
The following poem was not added due to time limit, but has been added to the script.
Yes We Can! - Shannon Mulstay
When the world watched the birth of a nation and wondered,
the people of this new nation looked over the blanket of snow with freedom
lighting their eyes and their hearts screamed "Yes We Can!"
When civil unrest split the young country in two the world
looked and wondered "Will they survive?" The people turned to each
other, stopped fighting, and once more became one stating "Yes We
Can!"
When the call to move westward flowed over this nation, the
world watched and wondered "Will they achieve?" The people settled in
wagons and moved forward with fists raised high "Yes We Can!"
When war came to the world, not once but twice, the world
stopped and wondered "Can they lead us to freedom" The American
People stood strong and proud, the light of freedom, that in the past shown so
brilliantly in their ancestors eyes, now in theirs as they stared the enemy in
the face and announced with determination "Yes We Can!"
When a man stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and
declared he had a dream of equality for mankind in this glorious nation, the
world paused and wondered "Can they succeed?" The people of this
nation smiled with friendship, compassion, humility, and integrity to its
neighbor and said "Yes We Can"
When the Twin Towers fell to the greed and illogical ideals
of others the heart of America was struck cold. The world stopped and wondered
"Can they go on?" The American People's hearts wept, but the light of
freedom and unity as they held one another showed once more. With fierce
determination and conviction the American People looked to the world and
declared with defiance "Yes We Can!"
Now with the sweeping economic crisis, global warming,
reformation, political uncertainty, military unrest in the Middle East the
world stops and listens as the question pours forth from so many uncertain
hearts "Can we stop the hate and learn to care about our fellow man
once more?” My answer is a single voice echoing the voice of a
nation. "Yes We Can!"
This scene takes place in my apartment living room with
Cassie, sitting across from me on the sofa.Both of us are dressed casually in jeans and shirts, though Cassie is
wearing a knee brace as she just returned from the Bone Doctor, having suffered
from popping her knee out of place.Outside is raining and grey so the scene needed to take place indoors,
instead of out at around the picnic table as originally planned.
Script:
Good morning everybody.So, for today’s mobile story we are going to talk with Cassie Cox, who
is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Evening Staff Member for Schenectady
ARC.
Schenectady ARC is a chapter of NYSARC, Inc. a private,
not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with
intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families throughout
New York State.Schenectady ARC was
founded by parents of children with intellectual and other developmental
disabilities in 1952, and has been providing an expanding array of supports and
services since that time.
Today, Schenectady ARC is focused on supporting individuals
with a wide variety of options.Using a
very person-centered planning process, Schenectady ARC staff work with people
(and their family members or other advocates) to find the right combination of
supports and services that will help the individual achieve his or her goals
and dreams.Schenectady ARC supports
individuals seeking employment, residential services, day services, medical or
other clinical services, recreation programs, and respite services.Schenectady ARC operates programs throughout
Schenectady County that offer options and support for individuals of all ages
and abilities.
Let’s learn from Cassie a little bit about what it means to
work for ARC, and how it has changed her life since she began working for ARC.
Cassie,
1.What brought you to ARC?
“About three and a half years ago I was beginning to start college, and I
wanted something more meaningful for a job.My family friend, Jodi Rossman, actually pointed me in the direction of
ARC, as she used to work for them.She
knew I liked to help people, and thought this would be a good fit.I applied and I was hired.”
2.What does your job at ARC entail?
“There is a lot of training you go through, plus refreshing training year
round, every couple of months.You counsel
the guys (individuals living within the group homes) and even though it’s not
in the official job description, you become one of their best friends and a
part of their family.
You become someone they rely on
and someone they trust.They will come
to you to solve problems.You cook and
clean.You are their nurse.You are their med-administrator.You are their taxi-cab.Really you wear a lot of hats, so you’re
anything they want you to be, anytime of the day.I have had my residents call me off shift
when they were upset, and I have had to talk them down from it.I do not get paid for it, but I do this
because I love them.”
3.It sounds like ARC has very much become a
part of your personal life, and not just a job.Can you tell us what ARC stands for?
“In 1952 ARC was actually given a different name.It was called the National Association of
Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children.It was more centered on the child aspect back
then.Since then it’s changed.
They have recently taken the word “retard” completely out of the
agency.The individuals hate being
labeled as that.It really upsets
them.We call it the “r” word.We do not use it at all, in any sense of the
word.It was called the Association for
Retarded Citizens of the United States, but now it’s just ARC, as the ARC encompasses
all the services underneath it that the individuals get.”
4.Can you tell us what kind of services and
resources Arc provides to those with disabilities and those in need?
“In my agency they are provided a variety behavior service through an
ABSS who helps them learn about their behaviors, find coping mechanisms, and
helps them understand anger management, so they do not have to have
interventions.They are provided
psychology services that help them if they are having psychiatric problems. They are offered social work as counselling.They have their own health clinic at the main
office.They are able to go there for
flu shots, blood work, and other things they may need.
They have advocates who stand up for their rights, and make sure they are
receiving the proper care.I just
recently just became an advocate for one of my individuals who moved out of my
house, whom I have a really good relationship with him and his family.They have various day programs depending upon
the level of independence of the individuals.They are provided job coaches if they are ready for that.They have something called Community Living
Program, which if they are at the level to live independently on their own they
are placed into an agency apartment where staff can monitory the individual.”
5.How has ARC changed the way you looked at
the world?
“I am a lot more understanding than I used to be.I tend to look at it more with an open mind
now. I take into consideration that this person might have a lot more going on
than they are letting show. I definitely gained a lot more patience through
this job, so I am able to handle situations a lot better in work, school and
personal life; and it’s just made my personality more caring than it already
was.”
6.Would you say ARC has impacted your personal
life since working for them?
“Absolutely, I have good days and bad days; but there is not one day where
I am not looking forward to going there and spending time with my
individuals.We are not supposed to look
at them in the family since, but they have definitely become a part of my
family. “
7.When you graduate from SUNY Cobleskill will
you continue with the career path you have begun at ARC?
“I
am definitely moving towards that, and I am hoping that it works out.I have begun looking into getting an
internship with ARC so I can continue along that career path.I do not want to continue with Direct Support
for the rest of my life as it is a very wear and tear job and it burns a lot of
people out.I would like to move on to
the psychology aspect of that life so I can continue to serve my individuals
differently.”
Thank you to Cassie Cox for sitting with me and for the Schenectady ARC website for all their information. For further information on how you can be of help to those in need please go to: http://www.arcschenectady.org/about.html
For this scene it will take place in my living room, in
front of my laptop with the company of my ever rambunctious and loyal
companion, Sofia the kitten who thinks she is a guard dog.My hair will be down, yet pushed back with a
striped white and blue hair band.I will
have no make-up or accessories on except my glasses.My clothing will be relaxed and casual in
jeans and a navy blue boho shirt.My
couch has numerous pillows for comfort but also in case of a seizure, same reason
for the comforters.
Script:
In today’s scene I will pay tribute to National Epilepsy
Awareness Month and discuss the different forms of Epilepsy.I will also read to everyone a post my
daughter, Cassie, wrote on Facebook as a tribute to me of her own experience
with my epilepsy.
Most people here the word “Seizure and have no idea what it
actually means.My own description I
have used since being a teenager, in hopes of making them feel a little bit at
easier, and not to mention making them laugh, was to tell them “Picture a fish
out of water, flopping around on the ground.Now mix the fish with the little girl staring at the television from the
movie Poltergeist and possessed girl in the movie Exorcist.Now you have an idea of what a seizure is
like.”Grant you this is a bit of an odd
description, but it is actually not that far off.
According to WebMD Epilepsy is the occurrence of sporadic electrical storms in the brain commonly called seizures. These storms cause behavioral manifestations (such as staring) or
involuntary movements (such as grand mal seizures).
There
multiple types of seizures that being diagnosed in today’s society.A few of those that have been discovered are:
·Myoclonic seizures (sudden and very short
duration jerking of the extremities) ·Absence seizures (staring spells) ·Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal
seizures)
One of the things to keep a look out with an epileptic is
headaches.If you know the person you
work with or are associated with is feeling weak or stuttering, perhaps
clutching their head its usually a sign they are not in a good place at that
moment.Ask them if there is anything
you can do for them.Get them a drink of
water, some juice is usually a helpful addition.Clear away anything that may be harmful to
that person.If they do go into a seizure,
DO NOT INTERFER.Let the seizure ride
out and call 911.The age old myth of an
epileptic swallowing their tongue is not true.What is more likely to be true is the epileptic will hurt the person
attempting to touch them while they are seizing.We have no concept of our strength at that
time, nor of what we are doing to those around us.
After the seizure an epileptic will be very weak and the
juice will help, so will sleep. The
EMTs will check their vitals, but truthfully, unless we are actually hurt, an
epileptic will want to go home, so if you know the person’s emergency contact
number in order to help them get home, this would be the best solution.
Now to end this I would like to read to you what my daughter
wrote as I feel this will give a true feeling from the outside of what it is
like to live with an Epileptic.“It's Epilepsy Awareness month! I have seen firsthand the difficulties
epilepsy can cause a person, as I have watched my mother struggle to gain
control over this disease every day of her life. I've seen her seizures, the
injuries they cause, different medications she's been put on to attempt to
manage them, surgeries she's undergone, and watched as this disease claimed
some of her independence. I have seen her in the hospital hooked up to various
machines, I have seen and intervened each time she received improper medical
care and first aid, some of which almost took her from me a few times. Each
event has taken its toll on her, but she never gives up. She is so strong and
always fighting through this disease. I have seen her look up to the sky, and
ask "is this all you got?" And then continue on to make so many
accomplishments. I have seen people make assumptions and judgments about her
after finding out about her diagnosis, and then seen her happily prove them
wrong. She refuses to be labeled as having a disability, instead choosing to be
noticed for her abilities. There is not yet one definite cure for epilepsy, but
often it can be managed and controlled. Do yourself and others a favor, and
educate yourself on this disease. Educate yourself on the proper first aid
treatment and care necessary. You never know when it will save someone's life.”
(CassieCox, Facebook)
I hope this helps bringing a bit more
understanding of those who suffer from this condition to the world around
us.Remember, you never know what the
person next to you is going through or what their story is unless you ask.Support National Epilepsy Awareness Month.ervened each time she received improper
medical care and first aid, some of which almost took her from me a few times.
Each event has taken its toll on her, but she never gives up. She is so strong
and always fighting through this disease. I have seen her look up to the sky,
and ask "is this all you got?" And then continue on to make so many
accomplishments. I have seen people make assumptions and judgments about her
after finding out about her diagnosis, and then seen her happily prove them
wrong. She refuses to be labeled as having a disability, instead choosing to be
noticed for her abilities. There is not yet one definite cure for epilepsy, but
often it can be managed and controlled. Do yourself and others a favor, and
educate yourself on this disease. Educate yourself on the proper first aid
treatment and care necessary. You never know when it will save someone's
life.ervened each time she received improper medical care and first aid, some
of which almost took her from me a few times. Each event has taken its toll on
her, but she never gives up. She is so strong and always fighting through this
disease. I have seen her look up to the sky, and ask "is this all you
got?" And then continue on to make so many accomplishments. I have seen
people make assumptions and judgments about her after finding out about her
diagnosis, and then seen her happily prove them wrong. She refuses to be
labeled as having a disability, instead choosing to be noticed for her
abilities. There is not yet one definite cure for epilepsy, but often it can be
managed and controlled. Do yourself and others a favor, and educate yourself on
this disease. Educate yourself on the proper first aid treatment and care
necessary. You never know when it will save someone's life.
“Lots
of things, such as hiking and stuff outdoors.”
Informed
Ed I am going to use the film for my Digital Storytelling class.
Pan
around to get a good view of where I live.This is Brandywine apt. home to many who have disabilities and are
elderly.Everyone here lives on
disability and SSI/D.
Just
remember when you are rushing by somebody you do not know if they have Cerebral
Palsey.You do not know if they have
Parkinson’s Disease, or if they, or someone they love is/are suffering from
Cancer.You do not know if they have
Epilepsy.You don’t know what it is that
each person is going through.
And
that’s my story.I was one of those
people.By the time I was 11 years old
and my grammal seizures kicked in I did not know what to do.I felt lost and alone.It was my mother in law, Judith Cox who
helped me find the place I live now.Who
showed me that just because I have a disability; it doesn’t mean I have
stopped.
Welcome
to Brandywine Apartments!Leave your
prejudice at the door.
