Abled Differently: Live a Thriving and Fulfilling Life!
2021's U.S. Census Bureau data put more than 40 million Americans living with a disability. A common misconception is that people with disabilities lead less fulfilling lives than able-bodied people. However, while differently-abled individuals face challenges, leading a fulfilling life is absolutely possible, just as it is for anyone else.
In fact, thanks to community organizations like Easterseals, children and adults with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play just like everyone else! Listen in as this podcast episode with Coach Elix on Get a GRIP with Coach Elix interviews Paul Medeiros of Easterseals Massachusetts. His mission is to empower individuals with disabilities.
About Paul Medeiros
Paul Medeiros is the president and CEO of Easterseals Massachusetts. The organization provides individuals with disabilities equal opportunities for learning, work, and enriching life experiences.
As an Occupational Therapist from Quinnipiac University, Paul sees firsthand how specific disabilities limit a person's ability to participate in the world. That's why he began working with Easterseals Massachusetts, helping make differently-abled children and adults active roleplayers within their communities.
Easterseals Massachusetts aims to improve the perception of disabled individuals to create more opportunities for them to lead the lives they want. During his conversation with Coach Elix, Paul emphasized the importance of full equity and inclusion in the workplace, education, and more.
Skewed Public Perception: What the Public Gets Wrong About Differently-Abled People
While there have been significant improvements in how disabilities feature in public discourse and policy, there are still notable gaps. For instance, there's a mindset that living a fulfilling life isn't possible with a disability, but this simply isn't true. Children and adults with disabilities can thoroughly thrive in school, work, and their personal lives.
As Paul explains, all that stands between disabled individuals and a fulfilling life are roadblocks in institutions and public spaces. So, helping differently-abled people succeed requires empathy and cooperation from the able-bodied.
Harness the Freedom To Navigate the World with a Disability
It's no secret: the world isn't an accommodating place for disability. Those with physical disabilities face countless challenges that limit their access.
For example, think of all the places you visit. Are there ramps allowing wheelchair users access? Buildings without accessible architecture present daily challenges for people with physical disabilities.
Some people also experience invisible disabilities, causing sensory sensitivity in public spaces with lots of noise and activity. Education suffers if classrooms become overstimulating. So, even just creating less overwhelming spaces could offer a comfort zone for various individuals, giving them the freedom to excel.
According to Paul, the public as a whole has the power to help differently-abled people thrive by embracing their differences and adopting more inclusive practices. If educational institutions and workplaces spend time learning about disabilities, they can easily make the necessary changes for a differently-abled student or employee to lead a more fulfilling life.
Connecting with Paul Medeiros
The G.R.I.P. Method
G.R.I.P. stands for "Greatness Requires Intention & Purpose," and many who have followed this method can attest to that. This strategy helps people find their goals, inspirations, and visions and execute them with clear intentions through planning, purpose, and integrity. It works with science and psychology to make dreams a reality.
It is a roadmap that guides you through struggles and hardships, with the final destination being the life you want to lead or the changes you wish to make. The G.R.I.P. Method offers a plan to go from fear to freedom and helps you break away from where past attempts did not work.
