Julio: Self-Advocate from Peru
[SARN Memo for May 20, 2009]
Only one person in Peru who has muscular dystrophy lives alone: Julio.
Only one person in Peru who has muscular dystrophy is as old as 60: Julio.
What is it with this guy? He was born dirt poor. He was told he would not live to be 20. Wrong.
He’s a self-advocate, obviously. He won’t take no for an answer. He has a job in the community. He helps others fight for their rights.
Respond to this memo!1. Read More about Julio
In March of this year, self-advocate Kelly Lee of St. Paul-based Advocating Change Together was in Saudi Arabia for an international disability conference. She used the occasion to gather stories about self-advocates around the world, using a hand-held tape recorder. One person she interviewed was Doctor Liliana Mayo of Lima Peru, who told the story of Julio. Read the interview in this month’s Access Press.
2. Group Activity
Julio was told he’d never live past the age of 20. He proved them wrong.
Ask members: “Has anyone ever told you ‘You can’t do that?’ and you wanted to prove them wrong?”
3. Resource
I Am a Person First: Understanding the Value of Values
For exercises to help tell the world who you are and what your values are, use ACT’s self-led workshop with your group.
Today’s Trivia Question:
Yes or no: In President Obama’s stimulus bill, was any of the money directed to services or programs for persons with disabilities?
(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)
Answer to May 6th Trivia Question: b. Graves in former state hospital cemeteries (people who died and were buried without a name on their marker)
Question was: Minnesota has more than 13,000 of what?
- lakes
- graves in former state hospital cemeteries (people who died and were buried without a name on their marker)
-
knick-knack shops at the Mall of America
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