We are fortunate to know Dr. Cech and to have had the opportunity for the past year to work side  by side locally and abroad.  Dr. Cech is a Professor and PRogram Director of Physical Therapy and Midwestern University. With her vast knowledge and experience in the field of Physical Therapy it is an honor to have her on our team providing services and training to future care providers in rehabilitation to the people of Ecuador.  She along with Dr. Mark Kovic of Midwestern University and other professionals began guiding the University of Milagro, located in Guayas, Ecuador in the preparation of documents for submission to the Department of Higher Education for degree approval of “Therapies in Rehabilitation”  to include Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Dr. Cech and Dr. Kovic make a home visit in Balzar, Ecuador

Dr. Cech will make her second volunteer trip in 2013 this June where she will be providing training at two community rehabilitation centers along the northern coast of Ecuador, training will be direct to community workers, therapists and local officials on best ways to assess persons, particularly children, that could immediately benefit from treatment.

In keeping with our mission, our goal is to build awareness on the importance of acceptance, inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. We educate current professionals and future providers in that there are capacities and capabilities in all individuals and that the label “special” means more than “can’t do”,  or  ”can’t be” .

Maria Jose and Tamara Fouts take charge

We are honored to be partnering with Give for Real Mannatech in our commitment to improving the health and well-being of children.

By becoming a member of Mannatech, together through CCI, we  have a wonderful opportunity to participate in helping to feed children who are experiencing malnutrition. For every purchase on Automatic Order of one or more of the qualifying products, Mannatech donates a Phytoblend (TM) order, a nutritional blend specifically formulated using Real Food Technology (TM)solutions, to at-risk children, this will be done through MannaRelief.

At the start, with the support of Dr. Dan Fouts and his wife Tamara Fouts, we aim to help nourish at-risk children in Ecuador with our goal to expand to other countries in Latin America. We are making contacts in Mexico, we hope to reach out to our friends in Costa Rica and Panama. Think about it, by nourishing yourself and your family, you are helping to nourish an at-risk child somewhere in the Americas or somewhere else in the world.

Join us by becoming a member.
To find out more, visit Give for Real

(Minus – palabra derivada del Latín- menos, y válido) si conjugamos la frase, el significado es muy degradante para referirse a una persona. Al analizar el significado de tal palabra aunque aun exista en el diccionario es una palabra o término de connotaciones negativas.

¿Que siento al oír o leer esta palabra “Minusválido” cuando se refiere a mí y a otros seres  humanos como yo?

Esta palabra levanta en mi miles de sentimientos y pensamientos: enojo, vergüenza, coraje; causa una reacción en donde lagrimas de coraje salen por mis ojos, mi cuerpo se pone tenso con el deseo de gritar en alta voz y decirles “que ignorante son”.  De ahí reacciono y digo entre mi, sin duda la ignorancia causa que la persona no se de cuenta de lo que dice o hace.

La palabra “Minusválido” despierta en mi algo que normalmente no es permitido, es una demostración que por cierto modo permito inconscientemente que me controle o que me hiera.

El significado de esta palabra dice que “soy menos que…” o que “no tengo valor” como ser humano, que dentro de la sociedad tengo menos valor que otro y es así como todos me van a etiquetar en base a este significado o término.

Nadie desea ser considerado menos que otro, que le digan que no merece ser y estar, que no merece el mismo respeto que otro y que dentro de la ley y delante de todo su valor es considerado menos.

Aquella palabra es ofensiva y disminuye quien soy, disminuye mi humanidad y capacidad como persona y es un abuso psicológico y emocional.  Pensar que la sociedad no espera contribución alguna de mi o de personas con discapacidad como yo, ya sea sus capacidades limitadas o más avanzadas.

La lucha por superación o de afirmar nuestras esperanzas y el deseo de servir es truncado con en el uso de la palabra “Minusválido” porque tiende a desmoralizar a las “Persona con Discapacidad”

Digo, ya es tiempo de decir “Basta” hasta aquí, es tiempo de ser sensible y dejar de utilizar términos como la palabra “Minusválido” cuando nos referimos a un ser humano que también cuenta con potenciales y capacidades como tú y yo.   Ya es tiempo de corregirnos, y que las personas, familiares, fundaciones, o negocios que aplican esta palabra hacia una persona que tiene parte de su cuerpo o sus sentidos que funcionen diferentes o tengan capacidades no obvio en la sociedad, sean tratados con igualdad y dignidad.

Es nuestro deber y obligación borrar y dejar de utilizar esa palabra inaceptable y políticamente incorrecta, cuando nos refiramos a las “personas con discapacidad”.

TRANSLATION

(Minus – a word derived from Latin – less, and valid) in combining both of these words, it becomes very degrading when referring to an individual.  In analyzing this term, although it can be found in the dictionary, it is a term that connotes negativity.

How do I feel when I hear this term “Minusvalido” when referred to me or other individuals like me?

This word arouses in me thousands of emotions and thoughts of: anger, shame, frustration.  It is a reaction that cause tears of anger, my body tenses up and a desire to scream in the loudest voice possible and say “ how ignorant” .  Then I react and say to myself, without doubt ingorance  creates a way of being in an individuals where they fail to realize what they say or what they do.

The word “Minusvalido” wakes up in me something that normally I do not permit myself to feel or think, it is something that in someway forces me to feel the unconscious self of the control and hurt.

No one wants to be considered less than, to be told that they do not belong, that they do not deserve the same respect as others and that under the law and before humanity that they are of less value.

This word is ofensive and it diminishes who I am, it diminishes my humanity and my abilities as a person, I find it psychologically and emotionally abusive.  To think that society does not expect me or persons with disabilities like myself to contribute, may we be with less or more limitations is absurd.

The battle for getting ahead,  affirm  our hopes and wishes to be of service is cut short with the use of the word “Minusvalido” because it tends to demoralize the person with a disability.

I say that it is time to say “enough” it is time to become more sensible and stop using terms such as “Minusvalido” when referring to another human being  who aspires, has the potential and capabilities as any other.  It is time correct ourselves, individuals, family members, organizations or businesses who use this term in referring to individuals who are different, let they be treated with dignity and respect.

Am I ready to do this again so soon?

Am I prepared to put my body through such a physical ordeal?

Am I mentally and emotionally ready?

What type of impact will we be able to make together as a team?

How about costs? customs? documents? donations? delivery of services? language interpreters? accessible transportation, accommodations? safety?

Will we have sufficient support from local volunteers? Will the community be receptive?

I will be called upon the majority of time to speak for myself, become the interpreter for both sides and be prepared to think and make decisions on the spot, for the moment, and future planning.

Will this be the last trip for which I am willing to put in all this work?

This June may be the last trip and I won’t know until I am called again and am told that this child needs a special kind of help, a community desires training on best ways to protect children, a particular university wants to start a new career program, a hospital wants staff training, or a municipality is interested in implementing policy of accessibility that would best accommodate persons with disabilities, or a group of persons with disabilities is interested in learning on how to become advocates for transformation.

Until my next trip, let me know if you would like to travel, how you would like to make a difference in another person’s life right where you are. Together let us create a world where  all come to know happiness.

Tamara Fouts and Maria Jose Morla flew in from Florida to provide booth support. Charlie Lema a Chicago resident was also available to help answer questions.

This year we were able to feature our partnership with Give for Real Mannatech, a project of Manna Relief (see www.mymannapages.com/cci)  that provides nutritional nourishment to children in many countries throughout the world.  We are eager to help  get this program in more countries of Latin America and with your support we are certain that we will succeed.

Fishing is a major source of income

My name is Grace Dalton and I am going to tell you about my trip to Ecuador and what I experienced in Ecuador. The trip was for two weeks and was so exciting, fun, memorable, and inspiring. First, I will tell you about the fun moments of my trip. Then, I will talk about the inspiring moments that I experienced. Lastly, I will tell you what I learned on the trip.

First, I had a great time on my first trip abroad.  Here are some of the fun parts of my trip. The first week of my trip I was at a school helping out with the fluoride treatments and a group of kids came up to me and started talking to me.

It was so funny because I don’t know Spanish very well and they were asking me a bunch of questions. Regardless, we still seemed to be able to communicate.  Then, I took a few pictures with them and it was so fun and one of the most memorable moments of the whole entire trip.

Also, on the second week the whole “Causes for Change” crew went whale watching! After waiting for some time, we got to see the whales! They were 12 feet away from the boat! It was so amazing, I will never forget that.

The trip was inspiring to me too. The first inspiring moment is when we went to a school for disabled kids. The school kids gave me a bracelet and there was this one girl who came up and hugged me. She was the sweetest little girl and she wanted to take a picture with me and another little girl also hugged me too. Then I realized that I am actually making a difference for these kids and I was so happy to be there.  

A welcomed gift with a big smile

Another inspiring moment was when I was at one of the schools the first day and I was coloring with all the little kids and they were showing me their drawings and were smiling at me and I was so happy that they liked me and wanted to be around me!

Lastly, I learned so much about myself and the world on this trip. What I learned is that you really need to be thankful for what you have because most people in the world have nothing.

They have a blanket, one pair of clothes, and maybe even a few dollars. Some people don’t even have that. Some people have literally nothing. I am so glad that I got the chance to help these people, but I am also so fortunate to live in a house with a caring family and plenty of clothes, food, and water.

The struggles we face are bigger than any one nation, but we can each take a step to make a difference. Join Worldview host Jerome McDonnell and meet lots of engaged, world-focused people. You’ll learn about all the work that folks who’ve been featured on Worldview’s long-running series, Global Activism, have been up to, and they’ll show you how you can get involved.

You can also learn how to dance, sing and do circus arts from across the globe. Listen to live World Music just outside the Forum as well as experience a series of pop-up art displays on Halsted.

The University of Illinois Chicago Social Justice Initiative and Illinois Humanities Council will host a series of lectures and panel discussions exploring issues of Global Justice and Activism featuring noted activists from around the world.

Come out to eat, drink, dance and learn at WBEZ’s largest event of the year!

RSVP for Event

http://uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org/share-stories/entry/zully-jf-alvarados-story/

On June 24, 2010 two volunteers traveled to the coast of Ecuador in advance of an eleven-team member to provide parent, professional and staff training on “Infants at Risk” and “Zero to Three Infant Development” at AVINNFA, a school serving 286 children with disabilities, and rehabilitation facility located in Milagro. Similar training was later provided at the Conadis Rehabilitation Center in Naranjal. A total of 200 parents, 25 professionals and 30 staff members participated in the training.

Eight volunteers (six university students) from the US and one from Australia arrived two days later and joined the local team in providing dental, medical and infant care services. The team visited four locations identified and recommended by the office of the Coordinator for Citizenry Participation and Social Control in Naranjal to CC-Ecuador and CCI. These were locations not having access to health care, having a high incidence of poverty and not having been visited nor counted in the Census. There include: La Puntilla (nearby residents of Nariz del Diablo and El Paraiso walked to La Puntilla), Santo Domingo Grande on Matorrillos Island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, Elementary School Paco Moncayo in Km 14 ½, and Elementary School Simon Bolivar in San Carlos.

Elementary Schools were used to set up health clinics with the exception of La Puntilla where residents yards were used as there is no school.

Over 800 children and adults were seen by the physician; children were provided medicine for parasites, received a lesson in oral hygiene and received a toothbrush with toothpaste. Children with healthy teeth were given a fluoride treatment and those with severe cavities, complaining of pain and gum irritations were seen by the dentist. Seventy-five adults with severe tooth decay were also seen by the dentist. Women seen by the physician received vaginal creams and other pain medications as prescribed. Fifty infants and their mothers were seen by the infant specialist. Throughout the day children participated in outdoor games and entertainment led by our talented performer and writer.

Children that had extractions received a stuffed animal.
A limited amount of clothing was distributed. School supplies were donated to the schools, and an emergency medical kit was created for two of the the schools, and a duffle bag with supplies provided by First Aide Worldwide was donated to Santo Domingo Grande.

Great achievements are made when strangers come together for a single purpose. Lives were transformed through an act of generosity.

It was when she introduced me in 2005 to Causes For Change International and the immense dedication she made toward a cause that I share (ie education and mentoring youth) that I became interested and ultimately involved in working with her directly.

“Trough the years, Zully has been a trustworthy and integral part of my life’s endeavor to develop a tenacity for raising the hope and future for a peaceful society in the field of education.”

As both a professional and a friend, Zully seeks the highest standard and expectation for relating with each person as an individual capable and worthy of respect. In my eyes, her success has always been rooted from having a deep value of and appreciation for life.”