Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays everybody! The holidays always go by so fast! It's frustrating that we won't have a white Christmas, but at least it's not below zero! We are going to my aunt's and uncle's house on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, we will go to church and have dinner at our house with some of our family. Going to church is a really important part of celebrating Christmas for me and my family.  A couple days after Christmas we will go see our cousins and go see the new Star Wars movie! Christmas is my favorite day of the year because it reminds me of all of the things I am thankful for. I talk about being thankful a lot because it is so important.

I want to tell you about something great I was a part of. My school district hosts a Christmas party for kids with special needs and I got to be a volunteer for it this year. Me and my friends helped out with some games for the kids and I got to hand out prizes. It felt so good to help make the little kids happy. They all were having a great time.

My disability doesn't interfere with my holiday celebrations at all. I can eat all the great food, sing Christmas songs and open presents! I feel lucky that most places are wheelchair accessible. We have a portable ramp that we take with us so I can get into houses that aren't accessible. So I can go to anyone's house!

I bet you're wondering what I want for Christmas. I really want an iPhone 6S, another dog and I want a laptop. I really enjoy giving presents to people, too.

Here is our Christmas card:





I'll be back in the new year! Have a safe and blessed holiday!
Later,
Jack

Holidays are coming up

It's that time of year again. The holiday season. My favorite time of year! A time for being grateful and giving. I love the holidays because there is so much joy. Sometimes it is tough for disabled people to be grateful. Here is a Ted Talk on how to be more grateful:

When you are more grateful, you are happier. I strive to be grateful everyday. Some days it is really hard. Here are some of the things I am grateful for: 

1. My family 

2. My friends 

3. My power chair

4. My school 

5. The community that I live in

6. My house 

7. My dog, Bailey

Gratefulness has a direct correlation with happiness. When you are feeling down, think of all of the things you're grateful for.  I guarantee, you will be happier!

Later, 

Jack

Homecoming

Happy Labor Day everyone! My homecoming is coming up soon. One of my favorite times at school. It is so much fun!  I love homecoming because I can have a normal homecoming experience like the regular kids. Here's what I'm thinking: What should I wear? Going to the parade. Going to the football game. Going to the dance. Isn't that a normal homecoming experience? What I am trying to say is that disabled people can just have as much fun as regular people. Here are some pictures of previous homecomings:

Me and my sister, ready for the game!

Silly pose with friends before the dance

Taking a break from dancing

I love homecoming because my school has spirit week before homecoming and almost everyone gets into it. We have competitions between classes and volleyball and other games. We have a shorter school day on Friday so we can have a parade downtown. Then there's the football game where it's so loud in the student section that we can't even hear. And of course there's dinner with friends and the dance. I love the dance. Did you know that people in wheelchairs can dance? My arms will be flying around! I love being in high school!

Later,

Jack

Back to school...

     I am really excited for my Junior year of high school to start. I'm not excited about homework, but seeing my friends more, football games, basketball and Homecoming make me happy. I'm also excited about Team Polaris (that's the awesome club that I'm in at school). We have so much fun in that club! My sister will be a Freshman at my school this year so it will be kind of nice to see her and her friends around. I'm also super pumped about Project Dance this year, it will be in February so more details later.

     This has been a great summer. I've done a lot of stuff with friends and family. We went to Iowa a couple times and Kansas to visit my cousins. I went to a couple of pool parties that were a blast. I had some friends over to the park by my house and we just hung out and had snacks. 

     Some things to remember as school starts...

• Try to make new friends
• Try something new, like joining a club
• Try to get good grades
• Get involved
• Be nice to everyone and SMILE

      Summer isn't over yet...

Later,
Jack

Friends

     Today, I am going to talk about how friends are so important for disabled people. friends make them feel less alone in a sense that they are different. It takes someone special that has good social skills and a lot of patience. I have a lot of friends who are like that. In an ideal world, everyone should be like that. My friends help me feel more normal less disabled or different.

     I want to show you guys a video about an unbreakable bond between two friends:

      I saw this on ESPN's Sportscenter. Dogs can be friends too! I have a dog and she is one of my best friends. Dogs have unconditional love for their owners.I'm so glad that Owen has Haatchi.
Later,
Jack

Reach out

     Make a difference in disabled people's lives. Whether it's talking to them, volunteering, or just playing a game or hanging out with them. We do that a lot in the club I'm in at school. There are a few people with disabilities and even more people that don't have disabilities. We all enjoy the same things! This is one of the most popular clubs in my school because it's so fun.
     I enjoy hanging out with my friends and being social. Everyone needs someone to talk to and sometimes it's nice for that person to be your own age. One thing all of my friends are really good at is acting silly. My friends make me laugh and I love to hear them laugh, too. We support each other. Last month at school we had a triathlon. I was riding my bike around the track and so many people were cheering for me. I felt so good and so proud of myself.
     What are my summer plans? Hanging out with my friends, of course.  I will spend a lot of time with my family too. I plan to do stuff outside, go fishing, play with my dog and watch a lot of movies! Oh yeah, one more thing...post on my blog more often!
Later,
Jack

How to treat people with disabilities

     TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT

     In my last post, I said I was going to tell people how they should treat people in wheelchairs or with disabilities.  People with disabilities are just like everyone else so we wanted to be treated like everyone else. That's not too hard, is it? If you don't know what to say, just say hi or hello or what's up dude? Just say what you would say to anyone else. I'm lucky that most people in my school just treat me like a regular guy. 

     So, be patient. It might take us longer to answer a question or respond. It's okay with me if you ask questions, especially for kids. I've had kids ask me or my family why I'm in a wheelchair and we just answer honestly. I know I have a wheelchair, you don't have to pretend that you didn't notice. 

Here's what not to do:

Don't baby us! 

Don't assume we can't hear you or understand you!

Don't stare!

Guess what? I nominated my Adaptive PE teacher for teacher of the month and she won. We got to be on TV (on WGN in Chicago). She is such an awesome teacher and she treats all of the kids in Adaptive PE with respect. She is so patient. Here is the clip:

http://wgntv.com/category/news/teacher-of-the-month/

Later,

Jack

Advantages of being in a wheelchair

...yes, I said advantages! 

You might not realize this, but there are advantages to being in a wheelchair. My family and I are always making a list.

1. I always have a comfortable seat

2. No one steps on my feet

3. My shoes stay really nice

4. Rock star parking

5. I don't sprain my ankle or stub my toe

6. People remember me

7. Sometimes I don't have to wait in lines

8. Wheelchair seating is often close to the floor or stage

9. People have to cook for me and get me stuff that I need

10. My parents can't make me take out the garbage or do laundry

I prefer to focus on things I CAN do rather than things I CAN'T do. Life can be really frustrating and hard sometimes so if you always look on the bright side, it can make it easier. 

I LOVE March Madness!

Remember, I have a new website, too.cpsowhat.weebly.com

I took a webpage design class last semester so I made that website!

My next post will be on how you should treat people with disabilities when you meet them. 

Later,

Jack

Happy New Year

Since it is a new year, it's going to be a good time to set some goals for yourself. One of my goals for this year is to walk in a permanent walker and not need my wheelchair as much anymore. That will probably not happen but it is still good to try. Anything is possible! By trying stuff, it makes you stronger physically and mentally. Do not give up on your goals! Always try. Another good New Years resolution would be to try new things. If you can't do it, oh well, at least you tried. You don't know what might happen until you try.

Giving up is like someone not wanting to have a happy life. You have to try to be happy! I know that it is sometimes easy to give up and really hard to keep trying but it's worth it. 

"A champion is someone who gets up even when they can't."
-Natalie Rogers

This quote is on a wall at my school and I love it. I am so inspired by these words. This quote means that if you try, you are a champion even when you are not successful. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!