Blog Archives

Open Streets takes on Ability Awareness

Last Sunday, lead awesome dude, Nick and his team invaded the Open Streets of Fort Collins for Open Streets 2018. Open Streets is an event in Fort Collins where an entire three-mile stretch of neighborhood streets are closed off for local booths and citizens of Fort Collins to bike through. We were invited to be a part of it.

Nick was excited to have Awesome Advocate Samantha Strong as a part of the event this year because she’s funny, smart and she brought some speech devices so passers by could experience what it’s like to use a device to communicate. Samantha works for PRC and helps individuals use tools to help foster inclusive relationships with others. For more information on Samantha and PRC, you are invited to check out their website at Prentke Romich Company.

At our Awesome in Action booth, we had several fun activities that people could try. One of which was the Wheelchair Obstacle Race, where racers would hop in a manual wheelchair and race through an obstacle course. Many kids loved experiencing what it’s like to drive a wheelchair around.

Another one of our fun activities was trying out a speech device that our wonderful friend Samantha brought along. Nick thinks speech devices are awesome because he can tell stories, he can speak his mind, share favorite movie quotes and clips with his friends.

IMG_3476

We also got to roam around Open Streets with awesome Olivia catching a ride on the back of Nick’s wheelchair. Nick’s favorite part was using his speech device, named Percy, to talk to all of the people he passed by.

IMG_3417

Overall, we loved being a apart of Open Streets because it was so fun. We loved sharing the mission of Awesome in Action with the people of Fort Collins, and letting them experience how people of different abilities use different tools to get through life. We are looking forward to next year!

The Importance of Outreach

IMGP5868

Colin and Oscar Roze practice on my speech device

I am beaming happy, elated, and completely in awe of the opportunities that I have been given in the last year. Who else has been so lucky as to be invited to speak at  schools, social organizations, and programs throughout the Midwest to do what they enjoy most?

It does not matter to me whether I sell 1 book, or 100 books in a month; what really matters to my heart and soul is that I have done what I am truly passionate about; teach. I know that I have brought at least a bit knowledge to those who have heard me present. I know that I can continue to raise awareness about individuals with special needs wherever I go.

IMGP2460

Friends at Red Tail Coffee book signing

It makes me feel so grateful that I have had a chance to speak at big venues such as TEDxFront Range and Lululemon; but also, that I have had so many individual interactions with children and adults alike within my community. I feel my confidence grow with each conversation I have that ends with a smiling person walking away from me.

IMGP5862

My new friend, Kyle, at TEDxFront Range

I have the power to change the world; and  I am doing it, one presentation, one person at a time!

%d bloggers like this: