Learning Differently Network Support

Action Alert

2005-10-12T16:14:07Z

What is an action alert? ?An action alert is a message that someone sends out to the net asking for a specific action to be taken on a current political issue.? By: Phil Agre

Why should you take action to an action alert? The issues addressed in the alert might concern you, and the action you do take allows you to tell your governmental representatives what they should do regarding the issue.

When Action Alerts are available they will be posted here. If you would like to be notified when another action alert is posted please sign up for LDNS newsletter and weekend updates. If you know of an action alert and would like to get the word out to others, please e-mail learning_differently@yahoo.com Thank you.

Action Alert for October 11, 2005 This action alert was sent by Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS)

Please go to LDNS Action Alert page for more information. Thank you!

I wrote a letter

2005-09-25T18:32:33Z

to the Governor in response to his vetoed bill in regard to using people first language. The Journal News published it in letters to the editor. http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050923/OPINION02/509230336/1016 The orginal is posted on my site: http://www.ldns.org/lettertogovernor.htm Please FORWARD!!! Happy Readings!
Blessings, Anita

Looking Back - Looking Forward

2005-09-18T20:25:53Z

Hi all,

I know I should of wrote this at the first week of September when everyone was going back to school or got a new job or people were just thinking about the end of summer. Sort of like a “looking back, looking forward” or “what I have learned” sort of thing. Since I know now that I should of done this …well, better late than never. :-) (also posted to yahoogroups e-mail discussion lists http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learning_differently/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learningdifferently/ and LDNS’s website)

LOOKING BACK - LOOKING FORWARD...

The whole educational experience, for me, has kept me at a distance from some of my own personal goals. One of which is being here for those that have been cheering me on and supporting similar dreams I have. It has been a difficult road towards those dreams. I struggled, fought, and won a trophy (my master’s degree) to lie on the path, as a stepping stone leading me closer to those dormant dreams. But this is not always true for people that are devoted to their goals. At times there are “walls” that block those dreams from becoming tangible. This is one of the reasons why I believe it was hard for me to speak about my own aspirations. I knew I would let EVERYONE know how scared and timid I felt for just trying! Someone like me usually gets questioned for trying to achieve more, and if someone like me states how difficult the work is, then usually I am told to give up or that I am not “felt sorry for”. First, I never want anyone to feel sorry for me. I want their understanding of me. Second, I NEVER give up. So, I did not want to hear the degrading talk to divert me from my goals.

Another reason I had trouble talking about my educational experience is because I am suppose to be an advocate, a mouth piece, a voice for those like me, for when they have trouble speaking, the words just don’t seem to magically appear, they are afraid of speaking out and do not want to be ridiculed for their opinions and beliefs. As this type of person, I did not want to infringe my fears and difficulties on to others like me. I want to help motivate and empower others to proceed with their ambitions. After I had tried and succeeded in completing my degree requirements, someone had asked me, “was it worth it, would you do it again?” My reply was, “of course, in a breath.”

Lastly, who would really hear me, who would really listen while I was going through the motions? Honesty, friends, family and others, just get tired of hearing, I have to take a test and I am scared, I need some help , this is frustrating, I am tried, I do not understand, this is taking a long time, I am nervous, it is difficult, and a host of other verbs that could define my learning process. So… I just stopped speaking out and started doing.

WHY I DID THIS…

First and foremost, BECAUSE IT IS THERE!

I entered my masters degree program in social work because I wanted to assist others like me, to enhance community awareness about learning, and to help society recognize all people are worthy and deserving of higher learning opportunities. While working on my masters, other reasons came into play. To be educated makes a powerful statement to those in the same profession, politicians, and in the community. Broadly speaking, people like me do not try to obtain master degrees. Additionally, most do not triumph. Why did I continue? Because someone like me had to – in order to make the powerful statement, “…it is within reach, it is possible!” And then to take it one step further, to publicize it afterwards. If someone like me can attain a masters degree, then others like me can too!

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED…

I had gained more than an MSW degree. I had gained the awareness that ALL people are different, therefore, ALL people learn differently. With every struggling task, difficult moment, and “walls” I came across, I knew there was something special in me, I knew I had the ability to overcome, persevere and achieve my goals. In general, to learn differently, have a disability, or to deviate from the norms of the general population should NOT be a humiliation. This should be celebrated. Strengths should be recognized and encouraged to grow. Diversity of self is the right of passage to exploration of the human spirit. It is to what degree an individual learns differently or diversely from another that is viewed, measured, judged and labeled. I had learned from others who are not labeled, but who also learn differently, that help, services, and any type of support sort after is not an entitlement. I have learned that even with supportive services in place for those that are labeled that their successes are still seen as unworthy. Yes, I had services, help, and support from many individuals. And I thank them all dearly for this. However, it is through my own self-determination, that my name is shown - on my masters degree.

WHAT IS NEXT…

n A Job

n Changes and New Additions to

Learning Differently Network Support (LDNS)

website http://www.LDNS.org

n A Book

n Political Involvement

n The Next Generation

n Public Awareness Activities

n Research

n New Endeavors

Blessings,

Anita Schwartz, MSW

www.LDNS.org - Learning Differently, Learning for Life!

it has been a while...

2005-06-14T03:40:14Z

Hi all, if you are reading this, well...
It has been a while. I just don't know what to say...
But I am back and...

I just "walked" w/my MSW from Fordham University. But still finishing up one class this summer. While doing that and
looking for a job :-) I am in the process of updating my website http://www.ldns.org

I am going to be having a section called "on the issues" and I would love for any of you or your friends to forward me term papers that have social issues that need to be addressed to be posted on my website. Please e-mail me directly. learning_differently@yahoo.com

Thanks! Anita

LDA of NYS survey

2004-08-07T00:03:58Z

Hi all,

Just a notice that you an fill out the LDA of NYS survey in re of starting a new chapter in the Hudson Valley Region of NY. If you are interested, or know of anyone who lives in that area, the survey is now available w/reprint premission of LDA of NYS at: http://www.ldns.org/LDAsurvey.htm

If you would like to see thier cover letter about the sruvey it is at: http://www.ldns.org/LDAcoverletter.htm

The LDA of NYS web site is: http://www.ldanys.org/

The national site is: http://www.ld.org

Thanks for taking the time to fill it out!

Blessings, Anita

update to LDNS poem and resource section

2004-08-02T00:00:34Z

Hi all, just wanted to let you all know that at http://ldns.org our featured poet for the Month of August is up! Please view his starting page at: http://www.ldns.org/poems.htm

Also, there have been a few new additions to the resource page: http://www.ldns.org/resources.htm

Comming Soon @ www.ldns.org

September to December 2004 - Interviews with other LDers and professionals. Here them tell thier stories!

And more to come!

from learning_differently@yahoogroups.com

2004-08-01T23:34:28Z

This is a cross post from learning_differently@yahoogroups.com Unfortunely you can not sub to the list at this time because I think a yahoo or a hacker messed up my account. But by next Sunday you will be able to sub to the group or another, I will keep all posted about this situation. Here is the x-post.

Hi All, I know that this might be a PA, but since I am getting no where as for yahoo, can you all please e-mail me or the list w/your e-mail addresses because I do not have them in anyother file except in learning_differently@yahoo.com for the group. This way if by weeks end, I can forward the list over to another name til yahoo fixes the problem. Sorry if this upsets folks, it upsets me too. Hackers, don't you just love them! LOL But, it won't stop me from doing what I am doing, and it won't stop what needs to be done. Heck, I rather bear the burdon of this mess then to let the HACKERS and LURKERS on a list that I created that I feel will do others good. I rather protect the ones that stand up for what they beleive to be right then to allow some dunce I rejected to the list because they did NOT want to give me a straight answer. You guys on the list now, I know I can trust you with what I say, with what other memebers want to say too. That is PRICE-LESS! For the few folks that I deleted from the list, from the few that I rejected, to keep (or try to keep) the list as safe as possible, then well, it is worth the agravation to me to do this. Anyway, Anita's off the soap box. Blessings, Anita ps...x-posted to live journal

Excite.com

2004-07-14T20:20:22Z

Hi! I am so excited, had to share. We are now listed in www.excite.com (http://www.ldns.org) It is not much to look at but, if you type in "learning differently network support" (w/the quotes of course) we were #8 (our poetry page). So I am very excited to say the least! In just alittle bit over a month time of the site's first page being up, we are actually in excite.com Thanks guys! :-) Many blessings, Anita

learn2learn @ 2004-07-09T00:42:00

2004-07-09T04:43:47Z

Hi all, well it has been an interesting week. First, http://www.ldns.org has a featured poet for the Month of August, please check out our site to find Bill there. And if you would like to be one of featured poets, writers, artists, students, homemaker, what ever it is you do well, drop me a line and I will see what I can do for you. :-) At least I still got a sense of humor. LOL

Next, Meetup.com cancelled our meetup because not enough folks were interested in the meeting. But we are trying for August so please keep stoping by and VOTE.

Lastly, I got this, and I am not thrilled... or a happy camper, for feeling too good right about about National Institute of Mental Health...

From: "NIMH Information Center"
To: Anita
Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2004 16:04:19 -0400
Subject: Re: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/learndis.cfm

Thank you for your e-mail to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIMH conducts and supports research and distributes information about mental health and mental disorders.

The NIMH publication) you requested, "Learning Disabilities" is out of print. There are no plans to reprint or to make the publication available online.
Many out of print NIMH publications are still available for loan through the U.S. Government Printing Office's State Depository Library System (SDLS). Information on the SDLS can be found on the GPO Web site http://www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html.

Ask the reference librarian at your local library for assistance.
New publications and reports are available online through the NIMH Web site at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/index.cfm.
For information on learning disabilities, we suggest you contact the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the NIH at:

NIH Neurological Institute
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Phone: (800) 352-9424 or (301) 496-5751
TTY: (301) 468-5981
Website: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm

Would you be upset w/them too???

NO dead links!

2004-07-07T03:24:54Z

Hi all, I am very pleased to announced that I have NO dead links on http://www.ldns.org and I got up art work, and a poet for next month! Check it out! :-) Let me know what you guys think. Blessings, Anita

reply to post on socialwork community

2004-07-06T00:44:57Z

Hi, this is going to be x-posted at: http://www.livejournal.com/users/learn2learn/ and learning_differently@yahoogroups.com e-mail list, where it started at: http://www.livejournal.com/community/socialwork/ and your oubaby LJ too. I was wondering, are you a lawyer? The reason why I asked is because of what I had to do with Mercy College. (I started that part of the story on… http://www.ldns.org/research/mercy.htm.

At that time I did not know where to go, what to ask, and who to ask it to. Plenty of people told me to sue. I just wanted my accommodations. Then I realized, if it was happening to me a 30 something person, what was being done to the freshmen just out of high school? Are they set up to fail? Are they told by the administration that their accommodations are "unreasonable" yet a doctor signed off on them? Sorry but that is like going to the pharmacy and the pharmacist said “no you don't need this” (the thing the doc wanted you to have) and “the script is useless, here take this instead”! Or better yet, the pharmacist said, “no you don't need all these things the doc wants you to have, you just need this and you will be fine”. What is the administration thinking? Did they decide to be your doctor instead of the doctor you choose? How unethical is that? Then I thought, forget about the ethical codes they break by doing that, forget about morals and justice, but there should be a LAW against this practice! I was right! There was. Then that is how it all started with Office of Civil Rights. Oh then it gets better, I got back lash! But, that is the next part of the story which you will (I hope) can soon read on my site.

Ok, this is going to get long...I know what you are doing out there is good work! Keep it up!

However, first, the method, approach, is one individual at a time. You get a case, you work on the case. You help that individual get what is rightfully theirs. That is great, and sometimes it works. However, it does not always work, and it does not address the LDers as a community. (That is another issue that is also very long winded.)

Second, in the mist of all this, how much time has gone by? A month, 3 months? Maybe over 6 months of negotiation? And, I am being nice because I know my case took longer. So, while mediation is going on, the person is left in limbo, feelings, thoughts, emotions, school work, home life, physical heath is being effected. Who address any of this with the individual? Who is there to give support to the person and their family? How much is support going to cost? Where will they find this type of support? I can go on… Do you see Anita’s eyes roll yet?

I am sorry I got long and if I sounded over bearing, I did not mean to be. Just that, these are just some issues that must be addressed while the process of mediation is going on. There are so many more concerns like friends, peers, co-workers, attitudes, and confidentially, etc. There has to be a system that connects the other systems, so the person is left, being a person and not just another case, and not fall through the cracks and does not leave the system in the mist due to feelings of being inadequate.

We need to be able to do more then just hand out accommodations; we need to insight "hope" and "equality". Does that make sense?

Ok, this bleeding heart liberal is off her soapbox for today. Thank you for listening Blessings, Anita

The 4th..what does it mean?

2004-07-04T16:58:15Z

Hi and Happy 4th of July to all...

I thought I would say hi, and start a discussion about the 4th of July and being a different learner.

What does the 4th mean to you? Well, for me, it means freedom and justice. I can not image being in any other country in the world and getting this far in my life. (JMO)

I have never told anyone this...but... Everytime I come back from school, driving down the highway, I see the American Flag on bridges. I look at those flags w/graditute and wisper a silent Amen. I am so thankful to be an American because here, I am able to learn and grow. Even with our systems flaws (every system has them) my country embrasses me.

My country tries to respect peooples differences, and my country also tries to tolorate diversity.

As long as my country keeps trying to learn acceptance, I will continue to try to advocate for those different from myself, like myself and for myself.

Freedom and Justice is that powerful.

You might say that this is self-righteous.

Heck, Heck, Amercians are self-righteous, individually, as groups, as communities, and as a nation.

Oh boy, I guess I opened a can of worms here.

But...since today is the 4th...

I give 2 thumbs up to: POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!! :-)

site map

2004-07-03T04:44:45Z

Well, I did get up a new poll for the members at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learning_differently So I am happy And I made a site index page at: http://ldns.org/siteindex.htm And My darling daughter (DD) had finally gotten a chance to do reading buddies. I am soooooooo proud of her! :-) Ok, The index has been UPDATED! So, since it is and me trying to figure out the html to post it here, just click on the link: http://ldns.org/siteindex.htm and you will see the new pages added: http://www.ldns.org/research/dyslexia.htm
http://www.ldns.org/resources.htm there was another one, but I forgot which it was. Also, look for UPDATED! means the page has new info on it. :-) Well, a chip bag is calling me...Blessings,

The Clearing Space

2004-07-01T22:39:10Z

I am in a strange mood today. (7/1/04) So I thought I would write a poem about it.

The Clearing Space By: Anita Schwartz

It has been a long year.

Only six months have past.

I look around in this small box that surrounds me.

Mounted hi are papers, pens and folders.

Post it-notes on walls, it looks like a rainbow.

Old coffee cup sits on bookcase.

Shades are finally open.

The musky smell from old books & journals still reek.

Yet - fresh air seeps through the cracked window pane.

AOL's Music Radio fills my ears.

These hint summer is here. No spring cleaning has been done.

So what?

I got 60 days before I have to sharpen my pencils again. :-)

Wow

2004-07-01T05:12:30Z

All I can say is wow, LJ was up today and I went searching it. I found so many communities I am interested in but can't join them all. Then, I would in front of this puter all day. :-) Today (Wednesday, cause I am late posting, now Thursday morning 1am) was nice. I did some filing, saw a friend, got my DD another PS2 game, and got ice cream w/her! YUM... Tomorrow I hope to add some more pages to my web site. If you are reading this and don't know it by now... http://www.ldns.org LOL I hope to also include some games (games are very therapeutic) on it but I don't know how much memory that would take to store, so........ we shall see. Blessings, Anita

Monday...

2004-06-29T02:31:47Z

I figure it is the start of the week and I just joined livejournal, so I thought it would be a good idea to make my first entry.

Today was a good day. I contacted lifenet and they told me as soon as I become a nonprofit that ldns.org can be in thier database.

Tomorrow I hope to list the pages I have up so far here. I also hope to add another poll at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learning_differently/ the interactive part of the ldns.org web site.

I think this is enough for a week, let a lone a few days... :-)