After another failed attempt to make inroads for his daughter at school, the father commented in frustration, “I want her to have a normal life.” I read these words over and over. A normal life. That doesn’t seem like much to ask for any parent. The article was on the front page of The Wall Street [...]
We all have challenges in our life. At times these challenges seem insurmountable. Meet GuiGui Zheng, a young talented Chinese girl who has a seemingly insurmountable challenge. GuiGui was born without fingers on her right hand. Three years ago GuiGui started learning how to play the piano. She didn’t let her challenges stop her from [...]
Ellen Seidman wrote on her blog, Love That Max about the difficulty in bringing her child with special needs to High Holiday Services at her synagogue. The post brought a lot of conversation about how places of worship should be more accommodating to individuals with special needs and what synagogues should or should not do. While it is important that [...]
For years individuals with special needs where institutionalized, locked away in mental institutions and never seen again. Lives Worth Living is a documentary that tells the story of the Disability Rights Movement through the life of Fred Fey. Fred Fay survived a devastating spinal cord injury when he was only 16, and turned his misfortune [...]
As I continue my teaching career, I often find myself having to defend what I do. Politicians, the general public, parents, and even colleagues have questioned the necessity of having a special education program. I will even admit that with the ability to foster children’s needs in a full inclusion setting, I myself have had [...]
Guest Post written by Cary Heller, a long time Friendship Circle volunteer and sports coach As I walk out the doors of what is certainly the greatest place on earth I look at the kids one last time. The thought comes How did I end up in this place? How did I end up sharing [...]
Wall: The Journey Up; New Documentary to be released In September of 2010, Stephen Wampler became the first person with Cerebral Palsy to climb one of greatest rock climbing challenges: Yosemite’s El Capitain. With no use of his legs and limited use of his arms it took Steve six days to reach the summit. A [...]
I am not new to testing, both as a teacher and a parent. I was a certified middle school teacher and was familiar with the MEAP test. I have a ten year old who has experienced all kinds of neuro-psychological testing since he was two years old. We have assessed his IQ, academic achievement, speech, fine [...]
Hollywood has produced some great movies over the years. When it comes to individuals with special needs sometimes they get it right and sometimes they are way off the mark.
Below are 11 movies about or involving individuals with special needs. Tell us what you think: Does Hollywood do a good job of portraying individuals with special needs?
Friendship Circle’s Walk4Friendship is just around the corner. Walk4Friendship is an annual walk that raises crucial funds and community awareness for individuals with special needs and Friendship Circle. Every year we hold a post walk carnival complete with games, rides, moon-bounces, food and more. The main attraction is a post walk show. This year’s Walk4Friendship will [...]
