Volunteering in the Disabled Community
Laura Marks
Speech 102
STATEMENT OF REASONS
Specific Purpose ~ Persuade audience to volunteer time with the disabled community.
Introduction ~ Attention
Ever had that moment in your life when you feel heroic? Or possibly you just enjoy helping others who are less fortunate than you. A great option to express these feelings is donating your time for community service. One of the most neglected areas within our community is the disabled community. Just like you and me, these people need caring arms that embrace them. Unlike you and me though, disabled people find these caring arms embracing them few and far between.
Body ~
I. Statistics of those who have disabilities in Washington State
A. In 2006, the prevalence of disabilities was measured (percentage measured by age group)
1.
• 15.7 percent for persons ages 5 + Statistics
• 6.4 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
• 7.6 percent for persons ages 16 to 20 Statistics
• 14.1 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
2. To put it more bluntly, in 2006, 61,000 of the 947,000 children ages 5 to 15 in WA reported one or more disabilities.#
a. with this large number of disabled people, a large number of volunteers is needed to help in many different ways.
II. Reasons do community service in the disabled community
A. IT”S FUN!!!! Personal Enjoyment
B. Community service hours look good on resume Personal Enjoyment
C. Personal enjoyment and fulfillment Altruism
D. Trying to look like the knight in shining armor Sex Attraction
E. (Main) Disabled people need extra care and support
III. Ways you can participate
A. Work at a disability camp
1. Joni and Friends (giving one-on-one care and time with disabled child gives you a sense of accomplishment and joy. Seeing these kids do things we take for granted and enjoy them to their fullest such us water slide, swimming, campfire, nature walks, paddle boats, and much more.)
B. Make friends or try to extend an arm or warmness towards a person with a disabled on school campus.
C. Arc of Tri-Cities
1. Organization that works with developmental disabilities
2.Office is in Richland
D. Special Olympics
1. Provides year around sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
2. Volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, chaperones, fundraising volunteer, along with many other opportunities.
IV. Conclusion ~ Action
As I’ve come to learn, finding something fun to do doesn’t always mean going out to the movies or hanging with my friends. It can be much more than that. Spending time with a person who loves you for who you are gives you a feeling of true happiness. By giving of yourself, you are giving a person who has less opportunity than you a piece of your happiness. With so many disabled people in the United States alone and a minute amount of volunteers, don’t you think it’s time we get out there and take action by loving the unlovable?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Great Story about Compassion and Love
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes we re messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mr s. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. T hompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four mo re years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's deg re e, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there . You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually re served for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet , the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes we re messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mr s. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. T hompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four mo re years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's deg re e, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there . You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually re served for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet , the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sod, Hiking, and everything else in between
Hello all! I thought I'd update you on my life, at leat this week-end! Yesterday I had such fun serving a family in our church by helping lay sod! What fun! I think I could officially become a professional sod layer! Here are some pictures that were taken! of this event!
The Brute Squad! (It's by brute force we were able to get the sod in place!)
After laying sod, us girls decided it would be fun to go on a hike up Badger Mountain. It is a hot hike as there are absolutly NO trees and just flowers and bush. It is the epitome of the dessert in which I live. ( The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve, located on the edge of Richland in the Richland GMA area, provides a spectacular view of the Tri-Cities as well as the Columbia and Yakima rivers. A non-profit group, Friends of Badger Mountain, worked to procure this shrub-steppe area that has most native vegetation intact and then in 2005 built a trail to the summit so others can enjoy it. The 2-kilometer trail rises 300 meters above the trailhead in Richland. )
Me, Kayla, and Becky
Kayla and I! Look how warm we were....what a doozy!
All us girls minus the one taking the picture! What fun!
The Brute Squad! (It's by brute force we were able to get the sod in place!)
After laying sod, us girls decided it would be fun to go on a hike up Badger Mountain. It is a hot hike as there are absolutly NO trees and just flowers and bush. It is the epitome of the dessert in which I live. ( The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve, located on the edge of Richland in the Richland GMA area, provides a spectacular view of the Tri-Cities as well as the Columbia and Yakima rivers. A non-profit group, Friends of Badger Mountain, worked to procure this shrub-steppe area that has most native vegetation intact and then in 2005 built a trail to the summit so others can enjoy it. The 2-kilometer trail rises 300 meters above the trailhead in Richland. )
Me, Kayla, and Becky
Kayla and I! Look how warm we were....what a doozy!
All us girls minus the one taking the picture! What fun!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Will Not Be Moved
Natalie Grant Lyrics - Will Not Be Moved
I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Will Not Be Moved Lyrics - NATALIE GRANT WORDS
I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved
Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Will Not Be Moved Lyrics - NATALIE GRANT WORDS
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wedding News
Well, alas, July is shaping up much different than I at first thought. My friend who was planning to be married decided that it best to call of the engagement as well as the relationship. I know that it is God's will, but sometimes words are just not enough to express everything. Just be in prayer for the couple as they decide the best course to take as they move on with their lives. It going to be a hard process.... And....yes, that beautiful dress had to go back, so now all I have is the picture on here and my memory!
In Christ!
In Christ!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
My Hair Story...!!
Well, to those of you who dont know, It seems that my hair is constantly chaning, it goes from short to long, long to short, blond to black, then to light brown..curly to straight.....and on and on and on! Well, I thought I would post my "hair story" for you guys starting about 3 years ago approxmately! haha...be prepared!
My hair about 3 to 4 years ago....REALLY SHORT!
My hair 3 years ago...I was curling it like that Every Day...no Joke there....
Fake braid extensions. This I did while I was in beauty school. Can you tell!!
My hair last March
This last winter....!
My hair when I had died it black right before Joni camp and then quickly put some light brown in it!
Last fall
Experimentation!!!! This winter.....
Well, I know it's not that interesting, but I thought it would be fun for me if I journied my hair from a few years back....
My hair about 3 to 4 years ago....REALLY SHORT!
My hair 3 years ago...I was curling it like that Every Day...no Joke there....
Fake braid extensions. This I did while I was in beauty school. Can you tell!!
My hair last March
This last winter....!
My hair when I had died it black right before Joni camp and then quickly put some light brown in it!
Last fall
Experimentation!!!! This winter.....Well, I know it's not that interesting, but I thought it would be fun for me if I journied my hair from a few years back....
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