In her book The Virginia State Colony For Epileptics And Feebleminded, poet Molly McCully Brown explores themes of disability, eugenics and faith. Kristin Teston/Persea hide caption In her book The Virginia State Colony For Epileptics And Feebleminded, poet Molly McCully Brown explores themes of disability, eugenics and faith. Growing up in southwestern Virginia in recent decades, poet Molly McCully Brown often passed by a state institution in Amherst County that was once known as the "Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded." Since 1983 the facility, which was founded in 1910, has been called the Central Virginia Training Center, and it is now a residential home for people with various intellectual disabilities. But in the early 20th century, the place Brown now refers to as "the colony" was part of the eugenics movement taking hold in the U.S., and a variety of treatments now considered inhumane were practiced there including forced sterilization. Brown, who has cerebral palsy, notes that had she been born in an earlier era, she might have been sent to live at the institution herself. "It is impossible to know that for sure," she says. "I can look at my life and look at my family and … Continue reading →

NEWS RELEASE BARRIE POLICE SERVICE *************************UpdateTuesday, August 15, 2017 The Barrie Police Service has received numerous e-mails, direct messages and telephone calls from the residents of Barrie and the Greater Toronto Area, all wishing to purchase the victim a new ride-on toy car. With the assistance of social media and our media partners Toys R Us has offered to purchase a new ride-on toy for the little girl. The family is overwhelmed by the generosity and would like to thank everyone. The investigation is ongoing. Original release The Barrie Police Service is seeking the publics assistance to find and return a ride-on toy car that belongs to a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. The toy car was stolen from outside a home on Bourbon Circle, Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. A witness reported seeing a male and a young boy drag the toy car away from the side of the home and onto the sidewalk. The child was then observed getting into the toy car and driving it away as the male followed. Any theft is unacceptable, and in this particular incident this theft leaves a 10-year-old girl with limited mobility. The car is not just a toy, it has … Continue reading →

Tim Tebow had another heartwarming moment Saturday, joining a fan with cerebral palsy as she sang "God Bless America." Tebow, who plays for the St. Lucie Mets, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Mets, joined the fan during a game against the Tampa Yankees. "Moment of the night: fan w/ cerebral palsy sings God Bless America and asked Tebow to join her. This is what it's all about," Jason Woodell tweeted. While Tebow didn't join her in her rendition, his presence beside her was apparently all she needed. Tebow's latest act of kindness comesafter a video went viralshowing the ex-NFL quarterback forsaking practice swings prior to an at-bat to shake an autistic boys hand -- and followed it up with a monster three-run home run. Tebows three-run homer on July 29 lifted the St. Lucie Mets to a 10-3 victory over the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Tebow is hitting .238 with a .305 on-base percentage and five home runs for St. Lucie. He's hit eight home runs with two teams this season. Continued here: Tim Tebow joins fan with cerebral palsy as she sings 'God Bless America' - Fox News … Continue reading →

As the summer closes, our attention turns toward school. School bags, pencils, crayons and other school supplies are at the forefront of parents and students minds. When the student has a disability, however, there are many other aspects to think through and be prepared to handle. If you are a teacher with a student who has a disability, there are many suggestions that you can use not only to make you a successful teacher, but also help your student be more comfortable and ready to learn. The first step on your to-do list is to research the disability of the student. I sat through an entire individualized education plan (IEP) meeting once, and the mainstream teacher continued to say that the student had multiple sclerosis instead of cerebral palsy. Please avoid this embarrassment and do research. As you research, keep in mind that each student is an individual. So, you might know the facts about the disability, but each disability affects the person in unique ways. If your student uses a wheelchair or mobility device, it might be tempting to have him or her sit in the very front of class. Now its your time to be creative. Students who … Continue reading →

AN eight-year-old avid Elvis Presley fan with cerebral palsy was 'all shook up' after having a holiday at the home of his hero. Blackburn's Samuel Hosker has been on an 'absolutely fantastic' weeklong trip to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. An anonymous businessman paid for the child and his parents to enjoy the trip, who heard about Samuel's love of Elvis after his parents set up a now completed campaign to raise 30,000 for surgery not available on the NHS. The family even got to enjoy an extra day in America after a flight mix up meant they had an extra days stay paid for. Mother Michelle Hosker, 39, said their stay at the Guest House Hotel, which was located on the Graceland Estate, was 'amazing' for all of them. She said: "It was absolutely fantastic. "Samuel absolutely loved every minute of it. "He was singing along to all the songs. "Memphis is just Elvis mad, there is Elvis everywhere. "It was just perfect for Samuel, it was a dream come true." More than 60,000 has been raised in total for Samuel, who will now undergo an operation in September which will prevent him being … Continue reading →