New Year's is a great reminder to reflect on the life you lead, and where the year has taken you.
For me, the story of 2008 is the story of Options for Independence, because I started here just after New Year's. I arrived as someone with a background in social justice work and advocacy, but with limited knowledge about independent living centers.
That combination made the year quite an eye-opener.
My Options odyssey began immediately as the staff was preparing for the Willard Suitcase exhibit, which we helped bring to the Cayuga Museum.
The exhibit is the story of the patients at the former Willard Psychiatric Center. It is told through the contents of patient's suitcases that were found in the attic of the hospital when it closed in 1995.
The skillfulness of the displays stripped away stereotypes about people with mental health diagnosis, and left only the human stories. These stories brought about a remarkable community dialogue about mental health issues.
It created a space where these difficult questions could be asked and discussed.
For me, the impact went far beyond the fascinating abstractions of public policy. The exhibit helped me to open my heart and mind to people in my own life who have struggled with mental health issues. I know I am not the only one who feels that they are a better person for seeing the exhibit.
The next big event for Options was Disability Awareness Day.
The idea for Disability Awareness Day is that people in the community assume a simulated disability for the morning, then share their experiences at a luncheon.
Participant after participant told about physical barriers they encountered. But more striking was how people reacted to them. A common thread emerged where participants found that people would often shy away from them. If they were in a wheelchair, people would not talk directly to them. Others felt themselves being stared at constantly.
The event helped me understand some of the subtle emotional barriers that society puts up against people with disabilities.
Through the rest of the year, Options had other big events, like the annual conference and annual meeting. Both of these were resounding successes for our organization and professionally enriching. But I would like to wrap up with a few thoughts about the Holiday Open House.
The Open House gives our community a chance to celebrate the season together, regardless of disability status. Looking around the rooms, which were overflowing into the hallway, it all sunk in.
This is what we strive for as an independent living center. We had a diverse crowd in every sense, and everyone had a good time. This is what inclusiveness looks like, and it was wonderful.
This year at Options has been transformative for me. I can't go to the movies (like “Tropic Thunder”) without seeing a bigger picture. I can't go Christmas shopping without silently assessing every store for accessibility.
This has been a wonderful year at Options, and I can hardly wait for the next to begin.
Collin M. Sullivan is the ADA/access advocate for Options for Independence
That combination made the year quite an eye-opener.
My Options odyssey began immediately as the staff was preparing for the Willard Suitcase exhibit, which we helped bring to the Cayuga Museum.
The exhibit is the story of the patients at the former Willard Psychiatric Center. It is told through the contents of patient's suitcases that were found in the attic of the hospital when it closed in 1995.
The skillfulness of the displays stripped away stereotypes about people with mental health diagnosis, and left only the human stories. These stories brought about a remarkable community dialogue about mental health issues.
It created a space where these difficult questions could be asked and discussed.
For me, the impact went far beyond the fascinating abstractions of public policy. The exhibit helped me to open my heart and mind to people in my own life who have struggled with mental health issues. I know I am not the only one who feels that they are a better person for seeing the exhibit.
The next big event for Options was Disability Awareness Day.
The idea for Disability Awareness Day is that people in the community assume a simulated disability for the morning, then share their experiences at a luncheon.
Participant after participant told about physical barriers they encountered. But more striking was how people reacted to them. A common thread emerged where participants found that people would often shy away from them. If they were in a wheelchair, people would not talk directly to them. Others felt themselves being stared at constantly.
The event helped me understand some of the subtle emotional barriers that society puts up against people with disabilities.
Through the rest of the year, Options had other big events, like the annual conference and annual meeting. Both of these were resounding successes for our organization and professionally enriching. But I would like to wrap up with a few thoughts about the Holiday Open House.
The Open House gives our community a chance to celebrate the season together, regardless of disability status. Looking around the rooms, which were overflowing into the hallway, it all sunk in.
This is what we strive for as an independent living center. We had a diverse crowd in every sense, and everyone had a good time. This is what inclusiveness looks like, and it was wonderful.
This year at Options has been transformative for me. I can't go to the movies (like “Tropic Thunder”) without seeing a bigger picture. I can't go Christmas shopping without silently assessing every store for accessibility.
This has been a wonderful year at Options, and I can hardly wait for the next to begin.
Collin M. Sullivan is the ADA/access advocate for Options for Independence
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