(Acceptance & Respect) + (Opportunity, Support & Encouragement) = what it takes to meet a Challenge

I have been thinking a lot about challenges lately. Which is not overly surprising, since I am gearing up for a big one. But thanks to some interesting online interactions I find myself thinking about it in a way that is much bigger then just me and my upcoming adventure. I have been contemplating what it takes to rise to a challenge, not just having what it takes, but giving it as well.

I must admit as I started to think about this topic, it was selfishly focused on how it related to me. And I was being very thankful for the wonderful Opportunity, Support & Encouragement I receive from a great group of people who Accept me for who I am and Respect my choices. Sometimes it amazes me I have friends, considering the number of times I have actually told friends “sorry I cannot come to your… wedding… birthday… baby shower… I have a training run planned” They know me and love me anyway 🙂 And for that I love them dearly. I am truly lucky to have the Opportunity to live this dog centered life, and Team Dew Claw, your Support and Encouragement means the world to me.

But then there were 2 interesting online interactions really got me thinking. I would like to share them with you in the hopes you will join me in being thankful for the (Acceptance & Respect) + (Opportunity, Support & Encouragement) you receive. As well as consider ways you can make sure you are returning the gift. First I was contacted by a representative of The Malibu Special Education Foundation, asking about Iditarod events. And in one of those cosmic twists of fate a plan was born. I am now very excited to be meeting with a representative from The Malibu Special Education Foundation at the start of the 2012 Iditarod. I am honored to be involved in helping them spread awareness about special needs education. They have a fantastic approach that involves Supporting teachers through training and equipment. Providing Opportunity for disabled students; like doing theater projects with typically developed peers, an experience that must be equally valuable for both groups. And a after school program of outings that result in weekly podcasts produced by students. Encouraging inclusion and understand through programs for families and communities. I even love the language choice they use “typical peers” is much more preferable to “normal students”. They are all students, lets also acknowledge that are peers, inclusion is one of the best ways we show anyone Acceptance & Respect. Plus what is “normal”?  We say it as if it were perfect and admirable. But as far as I can tell “normal” is a cycle on the washing machine! Not a term to describe me, or any of the wonderful people I know.

Join The Malibu Special Education Foundation in celebrating the potential that is within us all. To learn how you can help, contact them. Find creative ways to support inclusion for people with disabilities, and encourage community involvement. Now is a prefect time to get involved.

And to any of you who are feeling the fear of failure (because that is a real risk when you try new challenges) let me share this with you.

Next I also had the opportunity to help a good friend and Special Education teacher in a Lego drive for her classroom. It was a simple request, made on Facebook. But I am pleased to say it got a great response. She and I spent some time discussing the challenges her students face. And how something as simple as Legos helped engage students in so many ways. It is a small thing to someone with grown kids to clean their closet and donate to a special education classroom, but it means much more to the students who will benefit from it. *If you would like to donate Legos or Art Supplies (because I really believe art is a wonderful way non-verbal students can express themselves) feel free to send them to: Heidi Sutter, Glennallen School. PO Box 108. Glennallen AK 99588. Don’t let the cost of postage to Alaska stop you from getting involved, contact your local school’s special education teacher. You can make a difference.

At the finish in Nome, Iditarod 2011. Photo (c) Theresa Daily

I am well aware the Iditarod is a major challenge, one that will test me; I will be cold, tired, sore, scared, and pushed. But then again, I asked for it! I knew all this when I signed up! This is a voluntary challenge. One with a known end point. If I make it to Nome there will be cheering crowds, celebration, and once my dogs are well fed, massaged and cared for I get to eat everything in sight and pass out for hours. When I awake my challenge is accomplished. For people living with physical and mental disabilities life is a challenge, a mandatory one, that they wake up and face every day of their lives. And although there are many victories and successes they are rarely accompanied by cheering crowds and the knowledge that the challenge is over and done. As I started to think more about this I realized that what we all need the same things to face life’s challenges. (Acceptance & Respect) + (Opportunity, Support & Encouragement)

It is clear to  me that we all have a role and responsibility to help each other face challenge and reach our full potential. Everyone faces life’s challenges, our friends, family, loved ones, and neighbors. An individuals challenge may be apparent, but not always. For instance, I do not usually brag, but I am a person living with Dyslexia. At a young age my mother commented on my early math homework, “well at least you didn’t write your 0’s backwards” As an adult I have taken creative spelling to new heights, and I am fairly sure that without spell check I would be one of a handful of people who could actually read and understand this blog. I am willing to guess that many people who know me had no idea, but it is a part of who I am, and something I have learned to cope with. Again thanks to (Acceptance & Respect) + (Opportunity, Support & Encouragement)

Teachers and the wonderful folks working at The Malibu Special Education Foundation are aware of the impact others can have on the people living with disabilities, both positive and negative. And as I talk with them and ponder the nature of challenge; how we can rise to meet it, or be overwhelmed by it I agree. No one who ever accomplished anything great did it alone. But many people who were to afraid to try feel alone.

That my friend is the story of how  I came up with my equation for what people need to face a challenge: all together now ladies and gentlemen~ (Acceptance & Respect) + (Opportunity, Support & Encouragement)

How does this all come together? let me give you a real life example in the form of a visually challenged lead dog named Chess. Chess was bred and trained by Ramy Brooks, and as he grew he developed a condition called pannus, effecting his eyesight. This would be a deal breaker in many racing kennels. But Ramy recognized in this dog a great desire to run, and a wonderful athletic ability. He accepted this dogs condition, limitations and all, while also respecting this dogs ability. Chess was given the opportunity to train with his teammates. Positive reinforcement for his preformance provided encouragement. For support he got training in sled dog commands as well as medical treatment to minimize the damage caused by pannus. The end result… Chess is a lead dog. He was actually a leader on my team in the 2011 Yukon Quest and Iditarod.  Often times we do not know the greatness a person (or in this case a dog) is really capable of until we give them the chance to show us. Click here to see Chess today