Growing up, second-year medicine student Lauren Falcon always admired her uncle who has autism. Not only did he shape her into the person she is today, she shared, but he inspired her to delve deeper into disability and advocate for those who may not have a voice. Although her world came tumbling down when her uncle was diagnosed with colon cancer, it exposed her to the health disparities faced by people with disabilities. This obstacle she faced motivated Lauren to start the student group NADIA (NEOMED Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Advocacy) and connect with classmates who may have similar stories.
NADIA volunteers recently visited two first-grade classes, two second-grade classes and two third-grade classes at BIOMED Shalersville to read stories by and about people with disabilities.
Falcon shared her thoughts on the experience.
What do you hope to accomplish with NADIA?
NADIA was founded by medical students who recognized the importance of providing our peers with the opportunity to interact with those in our community who have disabilities. We also aim to promote health initiatives for patients with disabilities, provide a platform for health care professionals with disabilities, advocate for incorporation of disability within our curriculum, and provide a safe space for medical students with disabilities.
What was the goal of the Disability Storytime?
Disability Storytime was intended to shine a spotlight on authors who share their experience as a person with a disability. This initiative touched upon physical disabilities, learning disabilities and assistive devices. The picture books selected also emphasized themes such as accessibility, acceptance and respect.
What do you hope the children took away from the experience?
We taught the children that individuals with disabilities do not need fixing, they do not want our pity, and their lives are just as fulfilling. Instead, it is okay to help whenever they ask for it and accept them for who they are as people. We made sure to emphasize that people with disabilities come from a diverse community that has found what works for them individually and collectively in a world that is inaccessible at times. This initiative is needed because they may meet someone with a disability or develop a disability one day.
What did you take away from the experience?
It felt great to foster an environment where the children with disabilities are comfortable enough to disclose what their experience is like to their classmates. Not to mention, I am sure they also appreciated hearing there is nothing wrong with having a brain or body that works differently than everyone else's.
Who else joined you for Disability Storytime?
The other students who participated were Marian Khalil (M2), Danny Jaber (M2), Ricardo Velez (M2), Hana Elsheemy (M2), Shannon Lam (M1) and Sarah Apte (M1).
What events does NADIA have planned?
We will be providing free sport physicals and health prevention education to athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in partnership with the Special Olympics and Portage County DODD on Oct. 21.
We will be inviting Dancing Wheels to teach a physically integrated dance class that intends to celebrate people of all abilities through adaptive and unified partner techniques on Nov. 9.
We will host a workshop where we will be dining in the dark with the help of the Akron Blind Center to simulate what it is like to be blind and better understand those who are visually challenged on Jan. 17.
