Dear________:
My name is Jaylyn and I am 3 years old. I would like to invite you to walk a mile in my shoes, because someday someone you love, or maybe even you could be wearing them! I like pizza, the Philadelphia Eagles, going to Chuck E Cheese, and playing with my friends in school. I laugh at silly things like fart noises and can throw a tantrum like nobodies business when I don't get my way. I'm very much what a 3 year old should be and more! I also happened to have a brain bleed when I was in my mommy's tummy that caused my brain to not develop properly, so I have cerebral palsy and epilepsy too. But that doesn't stop me! I'm a very determined little girl. Determined to prove you wrong! I have been a fighter since the fetus and although I cannot speak, I get my point across.
My mommy is my voice, my advocate, my protector. Its her job to take care of me, keep me safe, take me to all my appointments, order all of my medical supplies, and on and on and on! She does A LOT! Its a full time job to take care of a child like me and I pay her with hugs and kisses. She wouldn't have it any other way. Cognitively, I am a "normal" 3 year old. I understand everything that is said to me. I'm aware of my surroundings and what is going on in my life. I'm non verbal. Not dumb! I am a person. Not an object or task that has been assigned to you. I deserve the same dignity and respect as your "walkie-talkies", Wrestling and Football teams. I deserve the same treatment, education, and opportunities as any other child living in the same school district. I may be different, but I assure you that I am not less!
We interrupt this blog to bring you this special report: News flash! This just in! The disabled population is growing and although I cannot speak, I refuse to be silent. The system is not flawed. It is broken! Every morning while waiting for my bus, there are 3 other children on my street alone that are also waiting for theirs, to take them to their out of district "special schools". And there are 3 more that I see just around the corner. Even one of my classmates lives in the same town but somehow we have to take separate busses and my round trip route for a 20 minute ride is 2 1/2 hours because I am in a wheelchair. Guess what?!?! Not all disabilities are congenital. Some are acquired later in life. That means any one of you could be sitting in a wheelchair next to me at any time! Does that mean your basic rights should be ripped away because you are disabled? Does that mean you should settle for mediocre effort from those employed to help you? I sincerely hope you are never in a position to understand just what me and my family go through on a daily basis. Do you remember when you first decided what you wanted to be when you grew up? That exciting feeling of wanting to make a difference? What happened? Now everyone just wants a pat on the back and recognition for a half assed job instead of making that difference. Why not fight with me instead of against me?!
I can't even go to a high school football game to support my sister without being denied the basic human right of access to a bathroom. For a small town that has such a large population of disabled and special needs children, you are not very handicap friendly. We matter too. We want to be heard, not placated. I want to be treated like everyone else, not like an afterthought. I will even go so far as to extend an open invite to certain members of the school district and community to come spend some time with me for a crash course in Empathy and Compassion 101. Come see my morning routine for yourself and see if you still think you did an "excellent job". I AM NOT A "DIFFICULT SITUATION" I am Jaylyn True Martinez.
Sincerely,
Team Jaylyn
