Blog Archives

Jan. 15, 2015 A Big Thank You to Mrs. Bush and her 3rd grade class at
Stansberry Elementary School in Loveland, Colorado

Nick Roussos presented “Walk in My Shoes”, his disability awareness workshop, to 33 eager and active 3rd graders. Nick, and assistants Audrey and Sue, had a great time interacting with the students as they learned how to use a wheelchair and try out a communication device. We also had a discussion about Disability Etiquette which is: Good manners in our actions and speech with people who have a disability. This was a large class, but they were very respectful and attentive. Thank you for being such great participants!

Nick told them, “I hope that I can open your eyes today, and give you a perspective on what a person who is differently abled can achieve. Remember, people with special needs are just the same as you. Everyone has something that makes them feel different than others; shyness, clumsy or uncoordinated, too tall, too short, too thin, too heavy, language differences, color of skin, etc. We shouldn’t treat anyone different than we would like to be treated.

The words and actions you chose can really affect the people who hear them. We all live in one community, one world, and we can make it better for everyone if we show each other the same amount of respect that we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.

I challenge you to leave here with a new perspective that is two fold; first, do not limit yourself. You are capable of amazing and great things- nothing can stop you from pursuing your dreams. And second, do not place limitations on others especially those who are differently abled. When allowed to soar, you will be surprised how far a person, even one faced with great challenges such as myself, can go.

Remember Life is Awesome!”

Nick Roussos is the author of Helping in Action, a children’s adventure based on his childhood as a boy with cerebral palsy, growing up in Africa. He conducts workshops, in Northern Colorado, for any age group on the topics of disability awareness, anti-bullying, and self-esteem. Please email with interest in a presentation at your school or service organization!: nick@totalspeed.com

Posted in Books, children, Helping in Action - Book, learning, Schools, students, Volunteer

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Tags: adventures, author, book, Cerebral Palsy, children, classroom, disability awareness, disbility etiquette, Helping in Action, learning, respect, stansberry elementary

Why Try?

Try Kayaking

Try Snowskiing

Try writing a book or poem

Have you ever asked yourself, “why try”?
When something is new are you sometimes afraid to try?
Does it seem like everyone except you is working or doing fun things?

Life is full of roadblocks; for everyone, not just people in a wheelchair like me. So, what if I chose to just sit the sidelines and watch other people being and doing. It would be pretty boring right?

There is a new normal in town and it includes people of all abilities working, participating in sports and volunteering in the community.

To change our circumstances WE need to change. We need to be willing to come outside our safety net and try something new!

Here are some things to ponder:

Stop doing the same things expecting different results.
Try it you’ll like it!
Change yourself by thinking: I CAN!

What do you have to lose? If you know what you want, will make a plan, and then be willing to TRY, you will be amazed with the wonderful things that can happen. Not trying can be our biggest hurdle.

Nick Roussos with Sue Kittel