June 2011
56 posts
“What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on...”
– Oprah Winfrey
Girl Knows Sports Are About Standing Tall, No... →
Hannah was born 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and 21 inches long. Before her first birthday, doctors were concerned about her slow growth. For a decade, her parents searched for answers; through doctors, endocrinologists, geneticists. Hannah’s case was entered into a massive, worldwide database, looking for others who might share her array of symptoms.
Since her pituitary gland doesn’t put out enough...
“Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we...”
– Helen Keller
“You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you...”
– Darwin P. Kingsley
Runyon Canyon →
Yesterday was a very peaceful day. The best part was hiking up Runyon Canyon with Ron, Founder of the Santa Catalina Film Festival, and his girlfriend Xiomara. We hiked the challenging route up but I enjoyed every minute of it. I had hiked it once before, which I mentioned when I began this blog about four months ago. Time flies. Once we reached the top there was a beautiful view of all of Los...
Facebook Page →
I finally made a page dedicated to my speaking on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BeckyCurranSpeaker). Feel free go to the page and hit “Like” in order to stay updated!
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility...”
– Anthony Robbins
Announcement
As the Marketing Director, I would like to officially announce that the 2nd Annual Santa Catalina Film Festival (www.catalinaff.org) will be May 4-6th 2012! Please visit www.facebook.com/santacatalinaff and hit “LIKE” to stay informed! You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/santacatalinaff. Hope to see you there!
“I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which I must stop...”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
Watch“Freak” was an amazing short film that played at our First Annual Santa Catalina Film Festival. It’s about about Randall, a hard working yet fragile soul facing his inner demons buried behind a drag queen persona while pursuing the dream of a lifetime. I really enjoyed watching it and I want people to understand that it’s okay to be different. Everyone was brought to this...
“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than...”
– William James
Disability Inspires Author →
“It’s not only proved to everyone my capabilities but I’ve also proved to myself that although I’m physically disabled I can still succeed academically.” -Melanie Tran
There’s nothing holding 9th grade student Melanie Tran, not even her disability, back.
After she won the Young Achiever Award in Writing, sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association of...
“Reflect on your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your...”
– Charles Dickens
“One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when...”
– Benjamin Disraeli
“The more difficulties one has to encounter, within and without, the more...”
– Horace Bushnell
“Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual...”
– Virginia Satir
Happy Father’s Day to the best father in the entire world! You’ve created this atmosphere for me! Your constant love and support means so much to me!
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the...”
– Babe Ruth
Nine Washington Athletes Head To Special Olympics... →
Washington state has about 10,000 Special Olympics athletes.
This year’s event, for athletes with intellectual disabilities, is expected to draw 7,500 entrants from 185 countries, including more than 400 from the U.S. This year’s Washington’s contingent, ranging in age from 20 to 45, includes two bowlers, two power lifters, two cyclists, a golfer, a runner and a swimmer. Five of...
“Compassion is of little value if it just remains an idea. It must motivate how...”
– Dalai Lama
i am that girl Board of Advisors
It’s a true honor to have been asked by my close friends Alexis Jones and Emily Greener to serve on the Board of Advisors for i am that girl (http://iamthatgirl.com). I will serve and I look forward to continuing the journey and helping them inspire authentic confidence and building communities for girls and women everywhere.
Below’s the official ask that I wanted to share.
...
“Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to...”
– Herbert Otto
Peter Dinklage For Best Supporting Actor →
I completely agree with this article and if Peter Dinklage wins an Emmy, this will hopefully change the ways that little people are viewed as actors in the entertainment business. This has the potential to lead to more roles for little people that may not necessarily be meant for them.
“Aside from 2003’s ‘The Station Agent,’ for which Dinklage was showered with praise as...
“It doesn’t matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have...”
– Wally Amos
Adaptive Aquatics →
Two of my friends met Joe Ray, Executive Director of Adaptive Aquatics, while they were vacationing in Mexico.
Each year from April to October, Adaptive Aquatics provides instruction through comprehensive clinics and workshops. With the use of specialized equipment and expert instruction Adaptive Aquatics opens avenues to greater independence and allows people to experience the excitement and...
Climbing Past Disability →
“If you have a dream the only way that dream’s going to happen is if you do it.” ~Mark Wellman
This is an amazing story!
My good friend Vincent Cocito, who I participated in the founding chapter Providence College Toastmasters with, shared this article with me. He was on a trip and someone shared this story with him. I love when people are looking out and sharing stories they find and see. Keep...
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not...”
– Saint Francis De Sales
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life....”
– Steve Jobs
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to...”
– E.E. Cummings
“Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do....”
– Jack Welch, The Welch Way (http://www.welchway.com)
Disability Doesn’t Stop Johnson From Reaching... →
“Set your goals high and never quit working for them.” ~Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson has an amazing story. He was five years old when, on May 29, 1998, his left foot was run over by a van. He was in shock and listed in critical condition. He underwent 11 surgeries and two blood transfusions over a three-week period, and he was on morphine 20 of those 21 days to alleviate the pain.
Following a...
“America’s strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to...”
– Ernest Istook
Defining Diversity
My father sent me a link to a job fair today that was titled “The Professional Diversity Career Fair,” taking place in Boston. I would still attend if I was looking for a job in Boston, but I’m uncertain whether other people with a physical disability would.
When you look up the word “Diversity” the workplace definition usually states something like “companies...
“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring...”
– Buddha
Congrats On A New Chapter! →
There are 284 million people around the world who are visually impaired, and 39 million who are blind.
“As I traveled around the world, I started to see more people who were visually impaired or blind living these desolate experiences. As I started asking question about what they needed, it was so simple. They either needed glasses, cataract surgery, or medical treatment.” -Blake...
“When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need...”
– Greg Anderson
WatchI’ve been fortunate enough to get to know John Robinson, through the phone and e-mail, over the past few months. I’ve written about him before as founder of the site OurAbility. In this documentary, John’s story teaches those with and without disabilities that we can achieve our goals.
John Robinson was born a congenital amputee, yet through his remarkable tenacity, talent and...
Bid Now! →
There are only a few hours left! Bid now on charitybuzz to benefit Little People of America’s 2011 Anaheim National Conference!
“We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other....”
– Jeff Warner
Zeno Mountain Farm →
A close friend of mine just shared stories about her amazing experience with Zeno Mountain Farm in Los Angeles.
Zeno Mountain Farm is an organization that runs camps for people with and without disabilities. Everyone works together so all can experience a life full of creativity, adventure, fun and community.
Typically, each camp has a theme that helps to focus and unify the group. The themes...
Inclusion International →
I just found out about another amazing organization and wanted to share. Everybody deserves to be included. I truly believe that everyone was brought to this earth for a reason and deserve the same respect as anybody else.
Inclusion International aims for a world where people with intellectual disabilities and their families can equally participate and be valued in all aspects of community life....
