https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/104833/marriott-internationals-commitment-to-those-with-disabilities

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/104833/marriott-internationals-commitment-to-those-with-disabilities

5 Ways President Trump’s Agenda Is a Disaster for People with Disabilities - Center for American Progress

5 Ways President Trump’s Agenda Is a Disaster for People with Disabilities - Center for American Progress

An Astronaut Reminds Me

On October 15, 2010, I attended the International Women’s Forum Gala in Montreal, QC.  Four dynamic women were inducted into the International Hall of Fame, including Montreal’s own, Julie Payette, an engineer and Canadian Space Agency astronaut, and an officer of the Order of Canada.  She is the first Canadian to participate in an International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission and to board the ISS.

Julie talked about how so many young girls before her had dreams of doing great things; but, of course, they were told to stay home, have babies and take care of the family or to choose a “feminine” role, if they must work.  She asked, “How many of those girls had other dreams?” … Wow, this really hit me hard. 

As I heard this great woman speak, I thought about children with disabilities and their dreams.  I’m sure so many of them had dreams of greatness and were told they could not do it.  How many of those children had the bar lowered, and told, “It just can’t be done.  You just cannot do it.”

We know better though.  We know that people with disabilities can do great things and that many have accomplished greatness in life.  We know that President Roosevelt used a wheelchair and lived with polio and yet is known as one of the greatest President’s of all time.

When you are talking to a young person with a disability, I have a favor to ask of you.  Do not focus on what that young person cannot do.   Focus on what he or she can do.

Julie Payette knew better. She knew that even the sky was not the limit.

Montreal and International Women's Forum

Bender and Disability Matters

It was in Montreal, that I first decided to start this blog.  I was at the lobby restaurant at the Marriott getting ready to attend the International Women's Forum Gala in the evening.

My life has been so amazing in so many ways that I decided to start blogging every week at least once a week.  I want to share my world and my experiences as a woman living with epilepsy and a hearing loss and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc and Bender of Canada; how blessed I am to be able to serve.

I am all about the civil rights of people with disabilties seeking competitve employment and people with epilepsy seeking quality of life and fighting the stigma attached. 

I know we can all make a difference if we want to and I hope you will choose to be one of those people who decide to live a life helping others. I read the other day, how fame comes from popularity
 in sports or entertainment or politics, but honor comes from serving others. 

I made a decision years ago with my life to follow the greatest teacher of them all and follow His words, "Love thy neighbor", with no edits.  He never said, "Love those like you". 

Tonight, I am attending a Gala in Montreal with successful women across the world and many of my former employees with disabilties.  These are people from different countries and different faiths and I love them all. Try it-love works better than hate.