Heidi

My name is Heidi and I go to the day program at TURN Community Services. I do a lot of activities at the day program like making butterfly crafts, playing ball and trying to get everyone involved, and watching peers bowl at the bowling alley. I am a member of the congress at TURN where I was just voted in as vice president. I also give presentations every month in the day program. I just pick a topic and I make up a game to play at the presentation. I have someone help me write down my ideas for the topic; some things I already know and others I need to research. I like to print off facts about the topic on the internet. In March my presentation was about Disney.

I live in an apartment with two other girls and my parents live nearby. I graduated from the high school nearby as well. I like to go on walks at the parks, visit my neighbors, talk with my staff, and watch movies.

Eric

My name is Eric. I have epilepsy, which is seizures. Sometimes I can feel the seizure coming on. Sometimes when I have a seizure, I have to lay on my side so I don't bite my tongue or something like that. Sometimes when I have a seizure, I can't stand up because my knees are weak and I might fall down. I can play sports. I started to have seizures when I was two years old. My grandparents saw me fall off the piano bench. I like to watch movies, trying to solve my Rubix cube, I'm still trying to solve it. I like to play hand-held games and do Special Olympics which is around the corner. I've been doing Special Olympics since I was six. I did the mile when I was younger and the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. I started doing the runing long jump when I got older. I learned how to play the piano when I was 13 years old. My grandma taught me. I like to play here (at the day program). It is my talent. I like to learn the chords. I can play Cannon in D really well. I play a lot of songs by ear. I can also play by listening to the radio. I also taught my grandma to play songs by ear this last December. I can play some Walt Disney songs and different classical songs. Some I can play, some I've never heard of. Some I can play, others I'm not too good at. I can play Amazing Grace by ear. I use to play Chariots of Fire by ear, but as I got older it went away. I learned to play Chariots of Fire when I was 13 years old. That's the song they play at the Special Olympics. I got to hold the torch when I was in Special Olympics. I want people to treat me fairly or kindly. Seizures or epilepsy is my disability. When I have a seizure, just help me lay on my side and see how long it is. If it is longer than five to ten minutes, call 9-1-1. I am a twin. My brother's name is Edward. I didn't want to run the mile against my twin. I won first place. I ran the mile in 8 min. 39 sec. I ran it another time in 8 min. 11 sec. I have a dad, a mom, a step-mom, an older brother and two sisters. I lived with my grandparents.

Austen

I think everyone with disabilities should join CIA. It will help us tremendously. It will cost some money to join and if you are interested, please contact Marinda (marinda.wilson@triconnections .com) or Mariah.

I am Austen, the president here at TURN (Community Services Provo day program). I come to TURN everyday and I read to everybody, everyday during the day program. At the day program, we do activities such as going to the library, music class, and I go out into the community with my friends. I have lots of fun. I think it is hard for everybody to have disabilities, but we can solve this problem by joining CIA. CIA is the club we are starting to help people with disabilities. We are starting this club because maybe people with disabilities can help us. Maybe they can serve us. Others can serve as staff. We want people to treat us with kindness.

About Citizens in Action

Citizens in Action or the CIA is a self-sustaining self-advocacy group and educational resource for people with disabilities. It functions as a community service organization and a medium for leadership development. The activities and operations of CIA will serve to enhance the public image of people with disabilities, and promote them as capable and contributing neighbors and citizens.

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OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Determine agencies and facilities that serve people with disabilities, where CIA can be presented in order to solicit members and participants.

2. Develop a team of self-advocate teachers and presnters who can reach out to and involve other people with disabilities in the self-advocacy movement.

3. Establish collaborative relationships with other volunteer or service organizations in the community.

4. Build membership from outside the disability community, such as BYU, UVSC, and local high schools.

5. Be responsible for at least three annual print or broadcast media pieces that depict or promote the work of CIA or other self-advocacy groups.

And in our own words:

1. Help other people.

2. Visit people who need friends.

3. Be a good neighbor.

4. Be a support and a teacher to other people with disabilities

5. Help other people see that people with disabilities can do things; help them understand us and not be afraid of us.

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This blog will show and tell the stories of citizens making a difference in the community.