Accept the things about yourself that you cannot change – that’s what I learned today 🙂

It’s 3 : 44 PM on day 703 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth,  work, publish my Disability of the Day feature, exercise my right hand,  feed myself a peanut butter sandwich  for breakfast, drink coffee by myself,    and exercise some more – today is fantastic my muscles are loose and everything’s working great hopefully every day will be like today so I can cross off everything on my list 🙂

Yesterday I read An Open Letter To Wayne Brady: People With Down Syndrome Aren’t Punchlines – the post contained an open letter from Rick (father of Noah who has Down syndrome) to Wayne Brady (a world renowned comedian)   Rick basically expressed his disappointment at the fact that Wayne Brady used Trig (Sarah Palin’s son who also has Down Syndrome) as a punchline in a joke Wayne Brady’s exact words were “Now the thing is Jeff, these are all jokes, and I really like you. I really, really like you. But a lot of people hate you, especially Sarah Palin because you remind her of what Trig is going to look like when he’s 40.” – I tried to soothe myself by thinking there are always going to be ignorant people in this world you can’t react to everything but it didn’t work truth is I will probably always be mad and sad when I hear or read something like that because I remember what it was like in my early to mid teens when I first became aware of people’s whispers and stares I really felt like a freak it was hard enough dealing with the changes in my body on top of that I had this wheelchair making me stick out like a sore thumb when all I wanted to do was fit in.    Have you accepted the things about yourself that you cannot change?

Update: Wayne Brady issued the following apology on his Facebook page on 8/17;

This letter has taken me a fe days to compose because of the conflicting emotions that I’e experienced since the day of the Roast and its subsequent airing. The environment of the Roast is a comedic (hopefully), tasteless (mostly always) affair that encourages everyone to out-filth eah other. Not normally what I’m known for, right/ But when I was invited I jumped at the chance to play outside e of my perceived “norm” and have fun. The Jeff joke was written for me and at the end of the day I take full responsibility for saying it. It wasn’t meant as a slam to Trig and at the time I didn’t see it that way.

I could defend it as a performer, but I would rather apologize from the bottom of my heart as a father. I understand how a parent, who loves their child, who tries to nurture and shield them when they cannot defend themselves, would take offense.. I have many times experienced this feeling. I’ve had awful things said about my daughter.. Violent and most times racial stabs. Being in the spotlight I have built a thick skin to these sorts of things. My daughter ( who’s now old enough to understand ) is another story. That being said I write this letter with sensitivity and a strong stance of responsibility for my actions.

I thank everyone who’s expressed their opinion for reminding me that my voice is heard… It’s easy to forget sometimes in front of cameras and lights.

To the Palins, please know that no malice or harm was meant. To the other families who were touched negatively, I hope you’ll be able to accept this apology as well.

I’ve always said that people in the public eye should be held responsible for what you say and I’m no hypocrite. Thanks for reading and letting me express my side.

Take care all,

Wayne

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