dignity: creative expressions from the inspiration project

Spring 2012: Volume 2 about:

The Inspiration Project is a volunteer collaboration between the University of Rochester and CP Rochester, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. During the spring of 2011, six writing students from the University of Rochester met weekly with six writers from CP Rochester. Through extensive one-on-one conversations, the UR students and CP Rochester adults have produced the cre- ative works assembled here. acknowledgments:

This project was made possible by the hard work and generous support of many people:

The consumers and staff at CP Rochester, the students at the University of Rochester, Joanna Scott (Professor of English, University of Rochester), Glenn Cerosaletti (Director, Rochester Center for Community Leadership, University of Rochester), Deborah Rossen-Knill (Director, College Writing Program, University of Rochester), Richard Feldman (Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering at the University of Rochester), Saun- dra Peters (Reservation Coordinator, Wilson Commons Student Activities, University of Rochester), Katie Van Wert (Department of English, University of Rochester), John Michael and the Department of English at the University of Rochester.

dignity: 2 table of contents:

Untitled--Yeats Chao page 5

Why I’m Special--Toni Montgomery page 7

Emily’s Story--Latrice Person page 10

Poems and Impressions--Thuan Nguyen page 13

Growing Up in My World--Victoria Bement page 15

In Motion--Jeff Yarmel page 21

Let Me Explain...--Jane Gefell page 25

Dear Reader/Wedding Plans--Geraldine Copeland page 27

3 :dignity preface: College is a place where you go to classes and you learn about what you want to do with your life. You learn about how to grow as a person and how to experience life outside of college. I came up with the Inspiration Project because I always dreamed about going to college and I wanted to bring this experience to the rest of my peers. Working on the project last year helped me become a better writer and public speaker. I want to give speeches to other people about people with disabilities and talk about how strong and determined you need to be when you have a physical or intellectual disability. At the Inspiration Project we all come together to write our own unique stories. We work with our tutors to write fiction, biographies, memoirs, and poems. It’s a lot of hard work but we write stories we think are appropriate for other people to hear. It’s hard for some of us to communicate, but with the Inspiration Project we have come up with a solution. We have worked very hard this semester. We hope you enjoy reading our stories and listening to what we have to say. We hope that when you listen to the stories you have some kind of understanding about our lives, our imagina- tions, and our creativity. Thank you for listening.

Latrice Person

April, 2012

dignity: 4 Untitled By Yeats Chao In Collaboration with Illiana Garcia

was born in 1950 in Taiwan. friends with Chinese boys and girls. six or seven years old. Back in the sixties, when I was We spoke Chinese; I could speak My sister Alice works in New Jer- I only seven years old, I was elec- Chinese – Mandarin. I can remem- sey; she’s a dentist. So she cleans out trocuted and started having seizures. ber words in Chinese, but I can’t re- people’s teeth. Floss! I floss because It was a shocking moment when I member letters. my sister says to. I was only five years was struck by lightning and I just What I remember most? Draw- old when I was taught how to clean can’t remember anything whatsoev- ing animals: a dog, a cat, a human my mouth. She taught me to open er. All I remember is everybody was being. Scenery. I still do. I do it to my jaw and floss each tooth, under coming out of the swimming pool, communicate with another person. and upper. Gerald, my brother, but I was still in there when I was When I was a small boy, I would fixes cars and Jeanie, my other sister, struck and I passed out afterwards. draw animals. I would draw a hu- is married to someone, to an Ameri- I didn’t know where I was, and all man being with no clothes on. I can person. I’m close to them, but I heard people saying was “Yeats, would draw a person with no body. they don’t remember speaking Chi- Yeats, you all right?!” I remember A Chinese woman once said, “This nese. They say to me, “We hate it people calling my mother’s name: is so magnificent!” I remember when you speak Chinese.” But I Lina. seeing things out in the open, like told them, you’ve got to stick with My mother was in her middle- someone helping me draw pictures. it to understand me in this country. age adult years. I can’t quite tell you Notes on piano keys—I just I can remember when it was easy how old she was. She was a lot older pushed on any keys, just fiddled to walk. I remember bicycles. As I than I was and was born in Taiwan. around to see what it’s like, and peo- grew up, I grew higher, larger. I can Now she is likely in her eighties. I ple asked,“Yeats, what are you doing remember seeing myself walk in the remember going home with my that for?” I thought of the keys as A mirror. I was born that way. mother and going to grocery stores to Z. It sounded nice. I never got to Yes, drawing. I would tell peo- to buy food – apples and cheerios, take piano lessons. Something like ple: “Maybe someday, if you have apples and cheerios. Pomegran- E G A E, such and such; I would time, you can write to me and I’ll ates, they grow on trees in Taiwan. play desperately, like an animal. I draw for you—as a favor.” I would I wouldn’t pick them though. I can remember looking at the wall, draw animals I saw. I just love to remember getting them from the and there being a face; I imagined see small birds on a table. The birds store. I remember going to the store keys and words to it. grow larger; I’ve seen them grow. I in her car. I was just a little boy. I So my mother also speaks Chi- wouldn’t want to get close to them remember a bread box in the kitch- nese; she’s alive in New Jersey. My though; I wouldn’t want to scare the en. We put bananas and peaches in father is dead; he died in the sixties birds. I like squirrels. I love draw- the bread box. I remember walking from a heart attack. He worked in ing animals the most. I can still re- on my knees, walking on my hands the United States for an engineering member what I see on the wall like and knees. Crawling. I tried go- company. I remember being pun- birds, an eagle; what else? Chickens. ing to the kitchen and reaching the ished by my dad. He took me and Roosters. Small chicks. I watch bread box. belted me. Yes, that was my punish- them grow larger. Then I remember When I was younger, I was ment when he did that. I was only that when I was small, there was this 5 :dignity little chick...wrens—if you don’t pictures of animals: deers, fawns, ferent places. When I moved out of scare them, they’ll stay. dogs, chickens. Just by imagining Craig, I remember writing letters to She woke up one day and won- how they were done and multiply- some people like my niece, uncles, dered what made her a girl. I didn’t ing them by numbers. mom and dad. I stayed with my sis- know a thing about Alice until I got I went to school in Sonyea Devel- ters Alice and Jeanie, and my broth- older, more mature. Then I asked opmental Center, then it changed to er. At that time I went to an edu- my mother how old she was, and I Craig Developmental Center. Be- cation program. We studied some remember her telling me. fore it was closed, there were men math and reading. I also did some I remember being in bed with and women; they worked together. drawing where I drew a picture of my sister. I remember my mother I lived there for fifteen years. Now Christ. I loved drawing a lot. It was saying to my sister, “Alice, what are it’s not a school and no one works always on my mind, drawing. Now you doing?” Why are you sleeping there. It’s a prison now. There are I live in an apartment with other in your brother’s bed?” Alice slept no residents there now. No one consumers, and I do many other in my bed so she wouldn’t be scared. lives there. While I was there, I also things. But I still draw . . . always. She was scared of not knowing me wanted to know how to go to dif- that well. But that goes way back. Writing a letter. I also have things that have been written. I’ve written and read things about other people, of their interests. I read their in- terests like a common goal, what it’s like being on an airplane, going to places they’ve never seen before, seeing different objects, and to see where airplanes fly. We ate rice and vegetables. I re- member when I was young, I would see things. I can remember things as far back as when I was small plant- ing vegetables for my mom and dad. I would plant spinach. The chickens were scared of me. Then I would go to school. I used to go to public school and I used to walk as I did before the accident. Af- ter, I went to an appointment with a doctor. He gave me medicine to take, which was Tegretol. It made me walk unsteady and that’s what made me walk lopsided. My body changed. But I still did drawings, sketching things to show how much I could draw and then I give them out to people. This was also how I showed things I’ve seen before. I did dignity: 6 Why I’m Special By Toni Montgomery In Collaboration with Suzanne McKenzie

like sewing, all kinds of art, writ- weekends. We would go to church years old. ing in my journals, writing sto- sometimes. You read the Bible with I ries about families and friends, me. I miss you. I love you with all Here’s a letter to my father: I love movies, especially Tyler Perry of my heart. movies, like Madea’s Reunion and Love, Toni Dear Father, Daddy’s Little Girls! My favorite I miss you so much. Why did you TV shows are House of Payne and I have four sisters and one broth- leave me? I hope you see my mom Desperate Housewives. er. I also had a big brother named in heaven. I hope you get to go fish- Sometimes I like to read – my Alunzo who was born on November ing in heaven. Here’s what I want favorite book is Oprah’s biogra- 30th, but he passed away when I was to tell you: I am a good lady. My phy! I like Oprah because she is little. I don’t remember much about goal is to get my own apartment and good role model! Same with Tyler him. I do remember that he was job. Right now I have some inde- Perry! I like puzzle books, like word taller than me. pendence. I do my laundry. I have a searches. My favorite music is Janet I spent a lot of time with my older laptop. I play games on it and watch Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Fantasia, Jen- sister Nettie. I went to movies with movies. I love art. When I get my nifer Hudson, and gospel music like her. A long time ago we saw a mov- own apartment I will hang pictures Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin. I ie called Jump the Broom. I don’t on the wall. I hope you are happy like listening to music, dancing, but remember much about it but I felt in heaven. not singing. proud sitting in the theater with my Love, your daughter. big sister. Family From my Past and Friends Poem to Nettie, from Toni, love From Today: Father’s Day is special; my father always. is special in my heart. He was a good My mother’s name was Christine. parent. He went to church with me. In you I see: If she were alive today, she would be He gave me money on my birthday. Faith in yourself 83. Here’s a letter I wrote to her: He liked to go fishing. Sometimes The power of love we ate the fish he caught. Mmm, it Freedom to make your own choices Dear Mother, was good. When I’m with you, I feel peaceful I love you. I feel sad about your He was a deacon and usher in I know that dreams come true if you death. Why did you leave me alone the church and he sang in the choir. believe with Claudia? I want to tell you My father and my mother didn’t stay When someone does something about my life, my life story, because married. My father married again, nice, like send a card to me you would like it. I am happy! God and Liz is my stepmother. My fa- blesses me in my life, and you are in ther had a blood clot and he passed I think of you. my heart. You are a special angel. on the same day as my brother Ber- Best friend is big sister I loved cooking with you! I nard’s birthday, June 28th. If he There is no fear in love helped make dinner with you on the were alive today, he would be 93 And I love you 7 :dignity You are so special in my heart. My dream vacation would be My goals are: I want to take a cre- going to Hollywood, California! I Denise ative writing class, write many more would like to stay there for 2 weeks Denise is a staff member in my stories, and publish a book someday! and see celebrities walking around, program. I see her every day, and I want a lot of people to buy and take pictures in all the famous plac- she has nice, stylish hair, and clothes read my book, so many people that es, go shopping at a lot of different that always match. She is a very they would request a book-signing, stores and buy clothes and makeup. good person. Sometimes we talk and maybe even be part of Oprah’s I would like to go see the hand- about what happened on Desperate book club! prints and the stars on the walk of Housewives. She is important to me I want to get a different job, fame. Maybe even see the actresses because I love to talk with her every something having to do with inspir- from Desperate Housewives! Most day. ing other people. I want to work of all, I’d want to meet Tyler Perry helping others who have the same and Oprah! And also visit some art A look into my future... problems as me. museums to see paintings and fancy clothes. That would be my dream

dignity: 8 vacation. have a pink car for me and a black then, today it is clear that she did My dream apartment would be and white car for my husband. the right thing. right near a shopping center – there She is an inspiration to me be- would be grocery stores, clothing Issues I Care About cause she was brave, she stood up stores, shoe stores, jewelry stores, for what was right, and she wasn’t makeup stores, and art supplies I have known people who have afraid to break the law and go to jail stores. Half of my apartment would done drugs, and I have seen how it for sticking up for herself and others be an art studio where I could work hurts people. I would like to fight who were discriminated against. on painting, and drawing, and nee- to eliminate drug use from our so- I believe it’s good that we are all dlepoint, and the other half would ciety. Drugs are dangerous to our different; this way, we can learn be where I lived. It would have a health, they fry your brain like egg from each other, and grow into a so- great view of sunsets every night, in a frying pan, and who wants a ciety that accepts everyone. and I would watch them from a big brain that looks like that? I would porch with a mini fridge. I would like to help counsel drug addicts to Thank you for listening to my also write in my journals and have help them stop, I would like to work true story. I hope you have learned little parties with my best friends on with teenagers, to help them say a lot from my words. Remember my porch. “no!” to drugs in the first place, and that every day each one of us has the In my room, I would have a big help babies of drug addict parents opportunity not only to learn from desk where I could write, and a com- get adopted by good families. others’ words, but also to teach peo- puter where I could go on the inter- I watched a movie about Malcolm ple by example with our actions. net. To decorate, I’d have friends X, and I was inspired to fight for come and help, and I’d paint the civil rights, just like he did. Once, Love, walls light pink with stars on them someone insulted my race, and it Toni with my favorite celebrities’ names hurt my feelings, but what I really on them! wondered was “why?” Why would I would hang up my own paint- you say that? Why is skin color such ings and drawings on the walls, and a big deal? put price tags on them so that my We don’t put each other down for visitors could buy them. Instead of having different colored hair, so why cooking, I’d hire a personal chef to should we put each other down for cook half of my meals, like baked having different skin colors? Years chicken, fried chicken, and stew, ago, before the Civil Rights Move- and the chef would also cater the ment, white people and black peo- parties that I had on my porch with ple couldn’t drink out of the same my friends. water fountain. Years later, things My closet would be huge, a walk- have changed, so why do people still in, and my clothes would be hung say mean things about race? lower so I could reach them. I’d have Once, Rosa Parks was sitting on a separate closet for my shoes and a bus, and the bus driver told her to purses. I’d have a maid who cleaned move to the back because she was the apartment, and a chauffer to black – she refused and got taken drive me around and open the car away by the police. Even though door for me and my husband. I’d most people thought she was wrong 9 :dignity Emily’s Story By Latrice Person In Collaboration with Sara Cohen

mily, her mom, her grand- She would cry and have temper tan- ed the class. mother, and her brother lived trums when she had to go to school. After her mom found out that she E in an apartment, on the fifth Emily’s mom thought that the tem- was blind her mom put Emily in a floor of their building. It was a three per tantrums didn’t mean anything. special school that taught her how to bedroom apartment. They moved She thought that Emily just wanted do things for herself. It was a boarding from the apartment because Emily some attention. Her mom made her school. Emily’s mom wanted Emily kept bumping into stuff. She was le- go to school because her mom had to to experience being independent. But gally blind. They needed some room work during the day at a law firm. Emily didn’t want to go. She fought. so Emily could grow and blossom be- The doctor did more tests on Em- She cursed, she yelled, she screamed, fore she went to college. ily and found out that she had Atten- she said she hated her mom and dad. When she was five Emily’s kinder- tion Deficit Disorder. Eventually they She said they didn’t care about her. garten teacher, Mrs. Flowers, noticed realized her blindness and her ADD She had no choice but to stay that when Emily wrote her name it was permanent. She would have to there. Emily could only come home looked funny. She left some letters live with it. on the weekends. She lived there for out. Mrs. Flowers did some tests on She tried every day to conquer her three years. Then she graduated and Emily to find out if she could see col- blindness and focus. They gave her went to college. ors, numbers, and letters. Emily tried medication to calm her down. Some In her new school, one of the very hard but she didn’t pass the test. of the time she couldn’t calm down. teachers was named Mrs. Trees. Mrs. Emily’s mom and Mrs. Flowers If she was at a movie theater or at the Trees taught Emily how to read and had a conference to talk about the mall with lots of people she would get write with her braille writer. test. Emily’s mom took her to the very hyper and have outbursts and The braille writing she learned in doctor and they did some other tests cry. school helped her realize that she on her. They found out that she was In elementary school some kids could write stories. She had thought legally blind. would pick on her because they didn’t that she couldn’t write because she At first Emily’s mom didn’t believe understand her. They didn’t know couldn’t see. the doctor. She thought that some- about people with disabilities who The braille writer helped her realize thing was temporarily wrong with were different than them. A lot of that she could do a lot of things. Em- Emily’s eye and that they would be kids would stare at her. ily could dress herself, feed herself, able to fix it or that it would go away. Emily started being rebellious as watch TV, and use the computer with Emily was scared to tell all her she became a teenager. She started not a braille keyboard. She could unlock friends about the diagnosis. She was caring about herself, not liking her- the door to her dorm room with a scared to go to Kindergarten because self, and thinking that she needed her keypad because she couldn’t use the people might stare at her. The doctor mom and dad to help a lot—think- knob. The keypad had braille writing said that she had to wear glasses that ing that people owed her something. bumps around it so she knew what were sunglasses outdoors and regu- Emily got very depressed. She she was pressing. When she dressed lar glasses indoors because her eyes started to be really bad. She wasn’t herself, her clothes had bumps on the were very sensitive. She was scared being nice to her brother. She cursed tags. She could see enough that she she would get picked on at the play- at her mom. She did badly in school. could see the colors of her clothes. ground and in school. She yelled at the teacher and disrupt- She could also see what she was eat- dignity: 10 ing. led the debate team at school. Em- She wasn’t good at listening to other A public speaker came to her ily joined and she was good at debate people’s opinions but she listened to school. The speaker had ADHD and team. Emily was very good at express- Rose’s opinions. Rose and Emily met was blind. After she saw the person ing her mind because she fought her at the boarding school but they felt speak Emily believed in herself. As mom all through her early childhood. like they knew each other their whole Emily got older and more mature She decided when she fifteen that she lives. eventually she grew out of her tem- wanted to become a lawyer so she Rose was very girly and she liked per tantrums and realized that people worked hard and got straight As. vampires. Emily was very tomboy- are different. Some people still made At school Emily’s best friend was ish. Emily liked football, basketball, fun of her but she learned to go above Rose. Rose listened to Emily and soccer, and volleyball. Rose had a dif- that. She believed in herself and start- gave her feedback. Rose was quiet ferent disability. She was in a wheel ed caring about herself too. She ac- and sweet but she could speak her chair but she could walk with a walk- cepted the fact that she was blind, but mind when she was asked. When er a little. Rose had a reading disabil- she didn’t let it control her brain and Emily felt like something was wrong ity. Rose would write things into the she didn’t let it stop her from follow- she would talk about it with Rose computer and it would help her with ing her dreams. and they would try to solve the is- her sentences. In school Emily learned math and sue together. Sometimes Emily didn’t Rose was like a sister to Emily be- science. Her teacher, Mrs. Apple, like her feedback but she accepted it. cause they did lots of things together.

11 :dignity They went to the mall, the movies Emily liked sports too. They found way she knew what every room was. and out to dinner. They went to each they had other things in common. Emily took off her jacket. She wanted other’s houses during breaks in school They liked funny movies. He liked to to say hi to her husband, Tommy, but and they went on vacations together make her laugh. he wasn’t there. with their parents. Emily said, “You want to call me?” She watched TV while she waited Rose and Emily grew up together He said, “Yeah, I want to call you.” for him. She fell asleep. and stayed friend forever. They started dating and they were A few hours later, Emily woke up Rose and Emily also hung out with a happy young couple. Emily learned to the loud sound of the car engine Sharna. Sharna really liked sports. All to follow her dreams and believe in outside. She could hear the front three of them played volleyball to- herself. door open and approaching foot- gether. A couple years later, Emily was old steps. Someone’s hands covered her They were very good friends but enough to own her own house. The eyes. they argued sometimes. Sharna was house was yellow with white shutters “Surprise!” Tommy said. He bossy. Sometimes Emily and Sharna and a white door. Emily came home handed her a teddy bear and flowers. would talk and Sharna would have from the law firm where she worked. “Happy anniversary.” Tommy kissed an outburst. She would start cursing She used a braille keypad to open the her hand. and yelling at Emily. When that hap- front door. Emily was shocked. She thought pened Emily just walked away from Emily walked into the living room. Tommy was cute for thinking of her Sharna. A couple of weeks after their All of her doors had braille writing on and bringing her a present. “Thank arguments they would be friends a black and white pad on them. This you,” she said. “I love you.” again. When Emily was in high school at the boarding school she made up with her mom. They went out to din- ner together and they talked about their relationship. Her mom said she was sorry. Emily accepted her apol- ogy and trusted her mom little by little. Her mom said that you can do anything you put your mind to. This made Emily feel very confident and kept her going every day. Her junior year of high school Em- ily met a boy named Tommy in her science class. At first Emily was bossy to Tommy. He would come up to talk to her and she would tell him to sit down. He did it a few times. Eventu- ally Emily gave in and they sat next to each other in class. Even though Emily wasn’t shy she was very shy around Tommy. After the class was over she got up the cour- age to ask him what he liked to do for fun. Tommy said he liked basketball. dignity: 12 Poems and Impressions

By Thaun Nguyen In Collaboration with Jamie Kurtz

ear Reader, They taught me how to speak My favorite holiday is Christmas. My name is Thuan, and English. My teacher took me out I give presents to my friends, and DI want to tell you about with my friend. I lived on Samar they give presents to me. I use a myself through my poetry and Island, which was four hours from lot of wrapping paper. I remem- through narrative. I hope that you Manila. Manila was a bigger city. ber every Christmas in Vietnam. like it. Then United States took me there. In Vietnam, my family and I would I was born in Vietnam. I lived in I do not know why. They gave me go to church at night. We opened Saigon. My family lived in a big medicine to take. presents in the morning. My fa- house. I have two older sisters vorite presents are my father and and two older brothers. I was the My Two Sisters mother. We would all go in the baby of the family. My house had They took care of me. car to see the lights in the city. We a yard. I moved to Wa-an, but did They taught me how to read had a Christmas tree with orna- not go to school. I stayed at home The words xin chào (hello) and ban ments. My family would decorate and learned letters from my sis- (friend). the tree together. My favorite part ters. They also taught me how to They taught me how to stand up. of Christmas was the cookies. I count. I learned Vietnamese. I can They took me to the playground. love Santa Claus cookies because also say “merci beaucoup!” I do not They taught me how to celebrate they are decorated with frosting. speak a Philippine language. I can the Vietnamese New Year. In Vietnam, there was never any say “buenas noches” in Spanish. I We cut open a watermelon, and it snow on Christmas. Now, I like know a lot of different types of was very red. when there is snow on the ground communication. I can understand. I put sugar on all of my food, and on Christmas Day. I dislike when I learned Spanish in California. A everything tasted sweet. there is not snow on Christmas. lot of my friends were from Span- We sucked a lot of lemons covered When I lived in California, we did ish-speaking countries. I lived with sugar. not have snow; it was too warm. with a Mexican family for one year. It was loud, and there were fire- They were nice to me. I learned by works everywhere. listening to them talk. I learned I liked the lights from the fireworks. Everything comes from the heart six or seven languages: Vietnam- I also went to see the water in Sai- Everything comes from the heart. ese, French, Cambodian, English, gon. When we get together, Spanish, and Sign Language. My My sisters taught me how to kick The sun will come out. favorite languages are French and and splash. When we get together, English. They sound pretty when I Most importantly, my sisters The sky is blue. speak in them. taught me how to be polite When everything comes to you, I was twenty-three when I And say cam bon, thank you, sis- I feel happy. went to the Philippines for three ters. When flowers open, months; I went to school there. I think of you. 13 :dignity Soon I will be there, where the sun come to you good. The flower makes me re- shines. With happiness. member to go out to the garden. I I remember when we talked to- go back out to put the flower back. I paint pictures about all of the gether. Flowers are supposed to be out in seasons, but winter is my favorite When the night comes again, the blue sky. because of the snow. The snow is We sit by the table with the candle. white and pretty. I like watching I miss you when I go out on the Tiny Tim: Tiny Thuan the snowflakes fall from my win- ocean. Every year, two times a year, I am dow. When I go out in the snow, I in a play. wear a winter coat. My coat is puffy I go out to the garden. I look at Tiny Tim was my favorite. and warm. I go outside to go to the flowers. They are all different I was the Ghost of Christmas Fu- work. At work, I clean the windows colors; my favorite flowers are red ture. until I can see my own reflection. I roses. There were a lot of roses in I had a lot of lines, but they were like going to work in the morning. the garden, but not all were red. not hard to remember. I get there at 8:40 AM, and some- I planted different flowers in the I was very excited to be in the play. times leave at 2:30 PM, sometimes garden. I got dirty, but I did not A lot of people clapped, and the 3PM. I work with the people like mind. I watched some flowers audience filled the whole theater. me. I get along with everyone. I open. The flower made me open I was never nervous. have two other jobs: in someone’s its door. I watered the flower, and I love the spotlight. home cleaning, and I sort food. I I made sure that it was safe. I love I had to wear a long white gown don’t really get a weekend. Satur- the flower. The flower makes me and stage make up. days I work, and Sundays are the happy. The flower makes me feel I felt like a different person! only time that I have free time. good. Her name is a secret. But it was just a costume; I am not Monday, I go to exercise. really a ghost! When I open my heart for you to In this year’s play, I fought the devil When I Come to You come with happiness because I was an angel. The ocean. I remember when I go out in the I had to wear a white gown again. I wish you were on a boat. morning They always seem to put me in The water up and down. I talked to you. white gowns. The ocean and the sound. I let you know how I feel about you. When we’ve been through the When the time comes, I am in a play. I am angel, but I night, I will be with you. am always an angel. I took out the When the morning come, We’ll sit by the table with the can- devil. The play has to do with New You know the morning, dles. York State. It takes place in the fall. When the morning come, I’m looking through the window, There is song in my play. I sing “I The sky is full of color. Looking for insight. Believe I Can Fly.” I know most of When I see the ocean, the whale, We go to the boat on the ocean. the words. I see the fish. We sail away together. Thanks for listening to me. I also The boat goes out to the ocean would like to thank the Univer- When my heart opens for you to The sun comes to the flower sity of Rochester for providing an come. through the blue sky. The sun area for me to work on my writing. I come to you with all my love, helps the flower to grow. I go out Lastly, I want to thank my family I come to you with happiness. to the garden at night. I put the because they took care of me. You look like a flower. flower on the table so that I can You open, you open up for me to look at it better. The flower smells dignity: 14 Growing Up in My World By Victoria Bement In Collaboration with Emily Hessney

hapter 1 have seen too much; you must die.” Over the next few years, Levi and He bared his fangs. I was so scared, I grew closer. He told me about his C Once I was a little girl liv- but I mustered up the courage to say, childhood, and how he grew up in ing in a strange world. When I was “Please, I love your kind, I know a England. When he was a young man, seven years old, I heard funny noises lot about vampires!” He responded, he lived in London. One night, when at night. I heard people around out- “Why should I let you live?” I said, he was walking home from the the- side my window every evening. Once, “Please, I’ll do anything.” The vam- atre, a tall old man crept toward him I heard a loud scream. I decided to go pire replied, “I’ll let you live, but you from the shadows. Before Levi knew outside and investigate. must do exactly as I say.” it, the man had descended upon him Outside my childhood home, there and bitten his neck, turning him into was a graveyard. When I crept into Chapter 2 a vampire. I sympathized with his sad the cemetery that night, there was a story, and told him about my own pale, handsome man talking to an- I learned that my new master’s childhood. I told Levi about how other man. It was a warm night, and name was Levi, and he was a mean when I was little, I was always left out the stars were out. The first man said master. Levi lived in a huge mansion when other kids played—they didn’t to the second, “Are you ready to say with Leon, the man I watched him like it when I talked about goth things goodbye to the light?” As I hid be- turn in the graveyard. They slept in all the time. I was different from the hind the large headstone, I watched coffins in the basement, and I slept other kids—I didn’t dress my barbies the attractive man lean over the other down there too, with just a tiny blan- in pink; I dressed them all in black. man—they were like shadows in the ket in the cold. Levi used to boss me Since I didn’t really play with oth- starlight. Excited, my heart raced. I around all the time. He made me er kids, I read and watched movies knew now what the mysterious man bring him rats for a snack on a silver about vampires. Levi and I had lots of was! platter. I also had to clean the house good conversations like this. I started Growing up, I liked vampires, all day long—I was always dusting, to feel something confusing: like Levi even though they’re scary. Vampires sweeping, mopping the floors, clean- was my friend, and not my master. I are strong, and they never die. In the ing the windows—it was no fun! didn’t understand what I felt. graveyard when I was seven, I saw my This is not what I dreamed of when I first vampire. dreamed about vampires. Chapter 3 I watched him suck all the human When I was nine years old, I real- blood from the poor man’s body. To ized that I walked with a wobble. Levi By the time I was sixteen, Levi and my surprise, the vampire then fed his noticed that I was having trouble, I were becoming friends. One day, he victim his own blood from his wrist. and took me in to see a doctor. The invited me to go hunting with him. The second man was turning into a doctor diagnosed me with a rare ge- I had never seen Levi hunt! Levi was vampire! netic disease, with a name so crazy, hunting for foxes—they are fast, but Suddenly, the vampire turned Levi couldn’t even pronounce it! I’ll their blood is delicious. We chased towards me—he had smelled me! just tell you, the abbreviation, is AT. the foxes on horseback; I held on very He shouted in a deep, harsh voice, Sadly, I had to use a wheelchair after tight to Levi as we raced through the “Who are you?” Terrified, I managed this. From then on, Levi lightened up woods. I wrapped my arms around to squeak out, “Tori!” He said, “You on me. Levi’s waist, and my hands rested on 15 :dignity his perfectly smooth chest. Levi a mess! In the middle of it all was “LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS!” drew his bow and released, his arrow Leon, shaking and bright red. roared Levi as he pounced on Leon, flying straight into a fluffy orange fox. “What the hell, Leon?” asked Levi tearing him off of me and throwing He dismounted, grabbed the fox, and angrily. “What is wrong with you?” him into the wall. He advanced, sink- we galloped home. On the way back, “I’m sick of drinking animal blood, ing into him and pummeling him Levi put one of his hands on mine and Levi!” he shouted. “I need human with his fists. I watched in horror as glanced back at me with a smile. I felt blood. I can’t live on this weak stuff Levi wrenched Leon up and smashed so close to Levi, and so happy. any longer.” his skull into the mantel. Leon fell in When we got home, though, we re- “You need to calm down. You’re the midst of a pile of broken dishes. alized disaster had struck. As soon as not thinking clearly. Let’s go to the Levi rushed to my side. “Tori, are we walked in the front door, we knew blood bank at the hospital tonight for you alright?” he murmured. something was wrong. Shattered glass a snack.” “Yes,” I breathed, “are you? Thank was strewn across the floor, giant holes “I need human blood, and I need it you for saving me…again.” had been punched through the ceil- NOW,” Leon growled as he suddenly Levi responded, “I’m fine…” his ing and the walls, leaving drywall and lunged toward me. Leon grabbed me voice trailed off. “I’m fine…I just can’t insulation everywhere. Ceramic lamps by the throat. I felt his fingernails believe he tried…” he stopped short. were smashed, our fine china was in pressing into my arms as I sat para- As Levi and I silently surveyed the shards, bookcases were toppled.What lyzed in fear. damages to our home, we began to re-

dignity: 16 alize that it wasn’t salvageable. “We’ll up and pressed to the wall. I watched “I’m sorry,” he answered, “but I have to burn it,” said Levi, “and leave as Levi offered a glass full to the brim can’t feel. I can’t feel anything. I haven’t no trace that vampires ever lived here.” with blood to Leon, saying, “don’t felt anything in the 100 years that I’ve deny yourself.” been a vampire.” Chapter 4 Leon slapped the glass out of Levi’s “Please try!” I pleaded, “Please, I hand, and the blood splattered across just know you are different from other While we were trying to find a new the wall like a crime scene. Levi shout- vampires. You’ve been so kind to me, place to live, we had to spend our ed, “If you will not drink it you will and I’m only a human—I know that nights in a graveyard—it was different not survive!” you’re special.” from the one near the house I grew Leon responded, “No! I won’t kill Levi closed his eyes. I waited, ner- up in, and felt strange and unfamil- her. I am not a murderer.” I watched vous. A few long moments later, he iar. But it was a new adventure. Even from outside the door as Levi put the opened them and looked at me with though it was musty, dirty, and cold, poor woman out of her misery. Leon his heavenly blue eyes and said soft- it gave me time to get to know Levi stormed out the front door to wander ly, “Tori, I love you too. Something and Leon better.Thankfully, Leon had the streets alone. about you has made me look within apologized to me, saying“I was out of I finally went into the living room myself, and has made me feel again— control and wasn’t thinking straight. and asked, “Is everything alright?” you’re special too, Tori.” He stroked I’m so sorry; it won’t happen again.” “No!” Levi said, “Leon is refusing my cheek with his cold hand, and I appreciated his apology, but wasn’t to drink human blood like a true vam- then kissed me with more love and sure if I believed him. From then on, pire even though he needs it to sur- passion than there ever was between Levi kept a close watch on him. vive. Am I a failure as a teacher?” two humans. Luckily for us, Levi had a great deal I responded, “No, Leon is just stub- After our fantastic kiss, we were of money because his wealthy parents born.” I rolled over to the couch, sat jerked back to reality by a huge crash had passed away when he was young. next to him and stuttered, “Levi, I of thunder outside. We peered out Levi used some of this money to pur- have to tell you something.” the window at the pounding rain, chase a big house next to the cemetery. “Spit it out,” Levi muttered, clearly and began to worry about Leon. Levi It was old and dilapidated, but perfect still frustrated with Leon. grabbed a large umbrella, and we voy- for two vampires and a human look- I gulped and said calmly, “I love aged out into the storm. Levi pushed ing for a new start. you!” my wheelchair all the way to the end A few nights after we moved in, “You love me?” Levi said, shocked. of our street, where there was an an- I overheard Levi talking to a wom- “Yes, I know it’s crazy, but I do, cient house surrounded by tall, wav- an whose voice I didn’t recognize. I and I’ve felt this way for a long time.” ing grass that hadn’t been cut in years. wheeled myself into the living room I closed my eyes and leaned in to- “Why are we here?” I asked. and spied Levi passionately kissing wards Levi, kissing him softly. When “I smell Leon,” Levi responded. this stranger. My heart lurched. Im- I opened my eyes, I realized Levi’s eyes “What do you mean you smell mediately, I returned to my bed- were closed too. I hoped it was a sign him?” I asked. room—I couldn’t stand to watch that Levi was remembering what love Levi pushed me into the decrepit Levi and that woman. I wanted to say is like—a feeling he had not experi- old house and into the bedroom, tell- something, but I didn’t know what. enced since he was still human. ing me, “Like humans, vampires have A few moments later, I heard an odd “Why are you shaking?” Levi asked. senses—but ours are special. Some noise, and I returned to the living I replied, “Because I just kissed vampires can read minds, others can room to see what was going on. To my a vampire, and I’ve been dreaming see in the dark, but all of us have a surprise, Levi wasn’t with the woman about it for my whole life! Levi, I have particularly good sense of smell, and anymore—he was arguing with Leon. to know, do you feel the same way we can always smell other vampires.” In the corner, I saw the woman curled about me?” As we entered the bedroom, we saw a 17 :dignity little boy with disheveled brown hair. merciful way. have a present for you!” He was crumpled up on the bed, and Irritated, Levi shouted back, “Can’t Leon was sitting in a rocking chair, Chapter 5 it wait? I’m busy!” staring sadly at the child as he rocked “No, it can’t!” Jason yelled. back and forth.“Are you happy now?” Jason and I did not get along. Jason Levi kissed me and said “wait for he said. “I just took this little boy’s was bitter and unhappy about not be- me” as he stood up. life!” Distraught, Leon ran out of the ing able to grow up like a normal hu- “Always,” I replied. He kissed me room. Levi chased after him; yell- man child. He threw fits all the time, again as Jason impatiently shouted for ing over his shoulder, “Stay here my and was constantly trying to hurt my him, pounding on the door. darling! Watch over him; I’ll be right Levi! Of course, Levi could take him, Angrily, Levi shouted, “I’m com- back.” and always put him in his place. He ing!” I stayed by the boy’s side for what often threatened him with stories of Immediately after he left the room, seemed like an hour, paralyzed with the Rulers—an old group of vampires I knew something was wrong. I heard fear. When Levi and Leon finally re- that controlled the vampire world and horrifying screams—Levi’s.They were turned, I rolled quickly to Levi’s side. disciplined those who misbehaved or followed by a loud thud. I was terri- He rubbed my shoulder comfortingly, came close to revealing the existence fied. I got into my chair as quick as I and turned to the child. He whispered of vampires. Levi said if Jason stepped could and rushed to see what had hap- in the boy’s ear,“open your mouth, Ja- one toe out of line, the Rulers would pened. I rolled into the living room son. I can give you a new life.” Levi come immediately and destroy him. and found Levi in a pool of blood, bit his wrist and put it to the boy’s Frankly, I didn’t get where Jason was with Jason standing over him, clutch- lips. As Jason started to suck, his eyes coming from—human life seems so ing a bloody kitchen knife. shot open, and he put Levi in an arm trivial, and I envied him a little for his Jason looked possessed—his face lock—in his last moments as a human, vampire life. But still I believed that was utterly deranged, he was grin- he tried to defend himself. As his life one day I would become a vampire. ning, and had Levi’s blood smeared on started to leave him, he let go of Levi’s One night as Levi and I were cud- his face. “I killed him, I finally killed arm, and Levi flew back into the wall. dling up together in his big four-post- him—that jerk took away my nor- It took Levi a few minutes to recover, er bed with a black lace canopy, I said, mal human life, and every chance I but he was fine. So was Jason—Levi’s “You know I love you even more than would’ve had to be happy.” He licked blood filled him with new life, vam- that night three years ago.” his lips. pire life. We all returned home, taking Levi replied warmly, “I know,” and I was shocked, and threw myself Jason with us. kissed my head. “How did you fall for out of my chair and crawled to Levi’s When we got back to our house, a guy like me, anyway?” side, crying hysterically. Leon had Leon was there and had finally calmed “There’s something that attracts me heard the ruckus and came to see what down enough to tell us what had hap- to you—maybe it’s your eyes, maybe was going on. pened. Leon said he had found Jason it’s because you’re so beautiful—but “Oh my God!” he cried, “Tori, at his house, sobbing and holding his when we first met, I could tell how you’re drenched in his blood!” He dead mother’s hand. Jason had told alone you were. I know what it feels remained motionless, knowing that Leon that his mother died of a heart like to be alone, and I didn’t want you there was nothing he could do. “Ja- attack, and his dad had passed away to be alone anymore. And our connec- son, how could you? Levi was teach- when he was a child. Since Jason was tion has just grown over time.” I raised ing you how to live, how to be part of alone in the world, Leon decided to my head from his shoulder and kissed our world!” feed from him and turn him into a him sweetly. We were kissing for what Jason remained silent. I pulled vampire—an act of compassion, in his seemed like a vampire lifetime when Levi’s head onto my knees, and whis- eyes. I guess Leon was learning from we were rudely interrupted. pered in his ear, “I love you, Levi. I Levi’s teachings, in his own uniquely “Leviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!” Jason shouted, “I love you.” As I held on to my Levi, dignity: 18 Jason pulled him away from me, drag- by, letting it happen. That’s a major “Yes, of course I do. More than any- ging him outside to be buried in the vampire offense. They didn’t see you, thing,” I replied confidently. backyard. I stayed in the living room, but if they find you, I don’t want to “Then there’s one thing we have to sobbing and shaking. think of what would happen—you’re do,” Levi said. a human who knows too much.” “I know,” I responded, “I hate the Chapter 6 “What do we do, Levi?” I asked thought of drinking blood and being fearfully. in excruciating pain, but I know it will For two nights, I stayed in the liv- “I’ll push you out to the graveyard make my dreams come true. I’ll be a ing room crying. On the third night, and we’ll hide together. We’ll run far vampire, and I’ll be able to be with I heard Levi’s voice in the wind, whis- away and create our own world, I you forever,” I said thoughtfully. Levi pering my name. I went over to the promise.” smiled and kissed me. window weeping and closed my eyes, He said, “I’m only going to turn murmuring, “I wish with all my heart Chapter 7 you into a dowffea vampire so you can that you were with me.” I felt a breeze. enjoy your human life.” The breeze felt like his cold hands were Levi pushed me into a mausoleum. “What is a dowffea vampire?” I touching me, and it felt so good. Then He said,“There are enough dead bod- asked. I heard Levi’s voice in the breeze once ies in here that it should lead them off “Half vampire, half human,” he re- more, saying, “I am here.” I could feel our trail—they won’t be able to smell sponded. “Are you ready?” something turning me around and your human scent.” It was pitch dark I took a breath and said, “As ready it felt like I was lying on cold stone; in there. as I’ll ever be.” I closed my eyes and then I felt someone kiss my head. Was “Levi, I can’t see anything,” I said. waited. I could feel Levi’s ice-cold I hallucinating? “Don’t worry,” he responded, “I can hands supporting my neck, then my I opened my eyes and looked up sense where we’re going—night vision eyes shot open when I felt the unreal and saw Levi! I asked, “Am I dream- is one of my gifts!” pain. I was screaming like a newborn ing?” Luckily, Levi grabbed a few things baby. “No, darling, it’s me!” Levi an- from the house. He brought two blan- “Shhhhhh,” Levi hushed me, “I’m swered happily. I started to cry again kets, two pillows, and a couple of here. It’s almost over.” Levi bit his and hugged him close. candles, and made a bed for us on the wrist and fed me his blood. I saw him “I have really missed you,” I said floor. He lit the candles and moved close his eyes and begin to breathe softly. closer to me. I could feel his lips on heavily. After a minute, he pulled his “I’m so sorry,” he replied, “If it was mine, and he swiftly untied the rope wrist away from me. A few moments up to me I would never have left you, that held me in my chair, gently put- later, I slowly sat up. my love. I’m here now.” ting me on the cozy pile of blankets. “How do you feel?” Levi asked me. “But how are you alive?” I won- In the soft candlelight, he kissed me “Wonderful!” I said, grabbing him dered. again and removed my peasant top. and pulling him to my lips. “Hold Levi sighed.“It’s because you called I slowly helped him pull off his tight me,” I whispered. We kissed and made me. Your wish brought me back. Ja- shirt. I lay back slowly on the blanket, love again until we fell asleep in each son’s stabbing was no match for the and we continued kissing. Then we other’s arms. It was even better as a power of your love. Thank you.” He made love. It was the best feeling in vampire—all my senses were height- exhaled slowly. “But I must warn the world. ened! you,” he said, “there is a group of vam- Levi kissed me from my naval to The next night I got a surprise when pires that calls themselves the Rulers, my lips, and I said calmly, “I really I woke up—I could walk! and they are coming here. They will love you, Levi.” “Levi, look!” I exclaimed as I walked kill everyone in the house. They saw He asked firmly, “Are you sure you across the mausoleum. Jason murder me, and Leon standing want to be with me forever?” He said, “I know, it’s amazing! 19 :dignity Todd said resignedly,“We will seek him and punish him for his violation of our laws. Go in peace. True love is a rare gift. Goodbye, Levi. Take good care of yourself, and of your mate.” I watched in awe as the six vampires turned their backs on us and swept out of the graveyard proudly.

Epilogue

As Levi promised, we ran away to- gether and got married that Hallow- een. It was a small ceremony, with just my mom, uncle, and a few other fam- ily members present. Everyone was so happy for us. I felt beautiful in my lacy black dress, covered in an intri- Becoming a vampire rids you of any spat back. cate spiderweb design. physical problems your human body “We followed a human woman Levi and I have made our own may have had.” here; have you seen her?” Todd re- world. He is the King and I am the I said joyfully, “Thank you, Levi!” plied. Queen of the Night. We have an “You are very welcome, my love,” “No,” Levi said firmly, “if there was enormous supply of human blood he answered with a smile. a female here last night, she’s gone that we acquire from blood banks and I was so happy that danced all now. We’ve slept here the past two freeze so it’s available whenever we are over the place. As Levi and I twirled nights and haven’t seen one.” thirsty. We live in a sprawling mansion around the room together, I felt hap- “Are you sure?” he questioned ag- on the outskirts of New York City. We pier than I’d ever felt before. I couldn’t gressively. couldn’t be happier…or so I thought. stop smiling. “Yes” Levi asserted. Then I got pregnant with our first One of the other vampires was cir- child! She was born in 2008, and we Chapter 8 cling me and eyeing me viciously. He named her Alexis. Since then, I’ve had snatched my hand. Terrified, I cried two more children, Silver Belle and By the following evening, Levi out, “Levi!” Elliot. Our family is so happy. Levi is thought it would be safe for us to leave Levi quickly pounced between me a great father! the mausoleum. But when we came and the other vampire and bared his The best part about being a dowffea out, the Rulers were waiting for us. fangs. He repeated slowly and angrily, vampire is being able to live in both Six tall men dressed all in black “Get away from her!” the human and vampire world. I can were perched on various gravestones Out of respect, the Rulers slowly visit my mother and my human fam- around us. I could see their long fangs backed away. Todd spoke up once ily during the day, and Levi and my from the steps of the mausoleum. more, “Do you know anything of Ja- dowffea children by night. I’ve come They smirked at us menacingly. son, who we hear tried to kill you?” a long way from the vampire-loving “Levi,” their leader said in a grav- “I assume he’s on the run,” Levi little girl to the wife of a vampire and elly voice,“We are surprised to see you said, “but I haven’t heard much or mother of my own coven! here. Who is your beautiful mate?” seen any sign of him. Go search else- “Get away from her, Todd,” Levi where. Leave us be.” The End dignity: 20 In Motion By Jeff Yarmel In Collaboration with Taylor McCabe

y name is Jeff Yarmel, and friends. I had a friend, and he was he was. I was born June 3, 1973, playing with the chair of the girl I really like where my family lived Min Long Island, NY. I have with the computer. I was walking on Long Island when I was younger. one younger brother, Peter, who back from lunch. I saw this and said I rode my bike around the neighbor- is five years younger than I am. I no way could he play with the chair. hood where I lived. There were a lot have a cool mom and dad, whom This helped out my friend with the of kids in the neighborhood, and we I lived with until I was 31, in 2005, chair, since she couldn’t talk for her- played together sometimes. which was when my family moved self. I started to run towards him, I had a friend who could drive, to Rochester, where we live now. to stop him from doing this, and he who lived nearby. Her name was When I lived on Long Island, I ran away. My friend with the chair Erin. When she drove us, we usually went to Carman Road School, in was very grateful. At this time, I was went bowling.We were on a bowling Massapequa Park. about 15. team, and so we went bowling ev- I remember, in school I helped Every year in the spring, a bunch ery week. Some people on the team a friend who had a computer that of people from my town went to our had CP, and some didn’t. We bowled helped her talk. She used her head track for a 100-meter race. I had been against other teams who were from to tell the computer what she was running in this race for years, but my town. It wasn’t very competitive, looking at, because she didn’t talk. this year was different—not only was we just played for fun. One guy got The computer knew what she was I on a team that had been practic- 259 in 1 game. I was pretty good, looking at, and would say it for ing for weeks, it was my birthday to too, though I don’t remember my her. Same thing for her chair, she boot. With that kind of training and record. I played bowling for about could move her head and make it luck, even though nobody else knew five years, but I had to quit when I move that way. it was my birthday, I was guaranteed moved. Luckily, I got to join a differ- She also had CP. I met her at to win. Even so, as I stood waiting ent bowling team here in Rochester, school. I went to public school, for the flag to drop, I was feeling a and I’ve been bowling ever since I got where I was in the same classes as little nervous. here. I also like playing Wii bowling, her. I don’t remember her name, but When it did drop, I took off as and I have my own Wii. I do remember that she had brown fast as I could, and right away I got a Often, when I was young, I hair, she was tall, and she talked with clear lead. As I ran, I had too many helped my aunt cut her grass. She her eyes. If she wanted to say yes, her thoughts in my head to keep straight, lived in New Jersey, and our whole eyes went up. I was maybe 12 when so I just ran as hard as I could. The family would go see her often. She I knew her. wind was blowing in my face as I had two children, one boy and one I went to that school on Long broke through the finish line, and I girl, Matthew and Jena. They were a Island until I was 21. I had classes realized I had won! I paused for a mo- lot younger, but I played with them there such as math, gym, English, ment, and suddenly realized through a lot. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see and speech. My classes were with my excitement how exhausted I was, them too much now, since they live other kids who had CP. This was and I quickly had to sit down. As I far away. good, since it meant we understood slumped down onto the bench, my When we were young, how- each other better, and I had a lot of dad came over and gave me a high ever, whenever my aunt and uncle five to show how proud and excited needed help outside, I would help 21 :dignity them. Anything they needed, I The longer dinner went on, the I hated sitting in the car that long, so would help—cutting the grass, pull- more excited I got to get to danc- I was happy when we finally chose a ing weeds, raking leaves, anything. I ing, and finally the music started up. house and could get ready to finally loved being outside and I really liked Everyone was dancing together, and move. being able to ride the lawnmower. It even though I’m only an okay danc- Right before we moved, Long Is- was really fun. er, it was a ton of fun. They played land started getting crazy.There was I also went to a camp on the beach all kinds of music. By the end of the always so much traffic that it took during the summer. I loved being evening, I was exhausted from all us thirty or forty-five minutes to get able to be outside all day. We did lots the dancing we had done, but even anywhere. This was one of the other of great things, like go swimming, though I was tired, I still felt great reasons we decided to move: things do arts and crafts, and play music. about how the whole evening had were just getting too crowded. The whole thing was fun. I went to been. My friends and I stayed until When I was getting ready to move, this camp for maybe 15 years, and the very last dance. Going home was my friends threw me a surprise going only stopped going because I moved. a little bittersweet, because while I away party. In order to lure me to Since most people also came back for was glad that it had happened, I was the party without my figuring any- many years, I made lots of friends sad that prom was over. I wasn’t sad thing out, one of my friends called there. for too long, though, because when my mom, and told her to bring me I like to fix things, something I’ve I got home, I collapsed straight into to local YMCA at a certain time. It liked my whole life. I like trying to bed. ended up being my dad who took fix anything, and I wish I knew how When I was 21, I finished with me there, but he wouldn’t tell me to fix everything. I remember trying high school. I was happy to be fi- where we were going. to fix my bike with my dad. I must nally finished. They gave everyone The first moment I thought some- have been a teenager at the time. If who was graduating a big party on thing suspicious was going on was I tried to go right, the handlebars the last day, and the families of all when we pulled up to the YMCA wouldn’t turn. the students came as well. At the and I saw one of my friends stand- When I was in high school, I went party, I was really happy, and had a ing outside. This was too big of a to three different proms, but the sec- lot of fun, but I was nervous because coincidence, especially since nobody ond one was the best.This one stood I wasn’t sure what I was going to do would tell me what was going on. out as being so much better than next. Then, when my friend walked me the others because I got to go with a My family decided to move when inside, we went into a side room, big group of friends. My mom got a I was about 30, and we wanted to go where the lights were all off. I didn’t suit for me to wear, which was great, to Rochester, because we have other know what was going on, and all I since that meant I didn’t have to wor- family living here, my dad’s brother could think was, “What now?” Just ry about getting it myself. She even and his family. When my parents then, the lights all turned on, and picked out my tie, which was blue, first told me we were moving, I felt all my friends jumped out, yelling, for me, so getting ready was a cinch. excited to be somewhere new and be “SURPRISE!” It turned out they had After getting ready, I met my near my family, but I also felt a little gotten together a whole party in my friends at the prom, which was held nervous about leaving everything I honor, so that all my friends could at my school, but it had been deco- knew to live in a new city. say goodbye to me. There was lots to rated so wonderfully that it wasn’t Before my family ever moved up eat and lots to drink, and luckily one even recognizable. It was so cool, that to Rochester, we visited here a lot, of my friends is a DJ, so he played all I could think was, “Wow!” After looking for a place to live. The trips music for us. It was the best party everyone got there, looking super here made me feel a little better about ever. Every single one of my friends fancy, we sat down and ate dinner, moving. Each time we came, it was a was there, there was really great food, which was just as fancy as the people. six hour drive in each direction, and and everyone just sat around talking dignity: 22 and had a great time. like I was in a new and strange place, self, because when I lived in Long Is- Even though the party was amaz- emailing my old friends was very land, I had to share with my brother. ing, it was a little bit sad as well. comforting. Even though I mostly got along with Throughout the party, even though In the last few days before we my brother, it was great to have my I was having fun, I couldn’t help moved, I was feeling really nervous. own space. but think that I might not see these I was busy with packing and saying I liked my new home, but it still friends again for a very long time. goodbye to everyone I knew, but was slow getting used to it. One However, whenever I started feeling luckily I got everything done in time. of the disappointing things about a little bit down, I would call over Even though I knew this was the last Rochester was that there are so many my friend Erin to cheer me back up. time I had to make this long trip, hills and it was harder to ride my I had such great friends on Long Is- I was so bored with driving that it bike, and someone had to come with land that any party with them was didn’t feel any different. me to make sure I would be safe. guaranteed to be fun, and this one After we moved, I lived with Back in Long Island, it was very flat was no exception. my mom and dad for about a year. and it was a lot easier and more fun Eventually, though, the party When we had moved, my brother to ride my bike. I have a blue a three- had to end, and my friends and I all had stayed on Long Island, so it was wheeler but I don’t ride it as much had to head home. That was when I only the three of us. The first change anymore because over the years it’s started to feel really down about hav- I noticed about our new house is that gotten harder to do it. I like riding ing to leave them all. Even though I we had a lot more room. Also, when my bike because it feels really good knew I was going to miss everyone a we lived in Long Island we had a tiny to use my legs; it feels free because lot, I was comforted by the idea that back yard, but now we had a huge it’s a lot easier than walking for me. we could easily email and keep in one. I wished that I had had that While I was living there, my par- touch. And although we’ve lost touch kind of a yard to play in when I was ents renovated the floors. They hired by now, when I first moved and felt a kid. Best of all, I had a room to my- guys to come and do the job and it 23 :dignity was exciting because I got to watch has 12 rooms, and one of those LOT while they work, which makes them rip out the old floor and put rooms is mine, which I share with it fun for everyone else, as well. If in a new hardwood floor. That was my roommate Tom. I work with someone puts a picture up,Tony and really cool for me because I’m very him. He’s funny and I like him be- Pat always tilt it so it’s crooked. I al- interested in building and fixing cause it’s easy for me to talk to him, ways tell them that it’s not straight; things. and we laugh a lot together. He’s a that’s part of the joke. It’s sort of an I remember the year I moved into lot closer to my age and he’s a great inside joke, so not everybody may the group home. It was 2004. I talk- roommate for me, so things have im- get it, but for us it’s hilarious. ed to my parents and we decided I proved a lot since I first moved in. Every Tuesday, one of the work- needed a change of scene because I Pretty soon after I moved to Roch- ers brings her dog to the workshop. was getting older. Before I moved in, ester, I started working in a work- When he’s there, I get to work with my parents took me to see several dif- shop. My job was to put different the dog, something I’ve been doing ferent homes so we could choose the kinds of parts together, but I can’t re- every since he was little. It’s amazing best one. It was very hard for me to member what they ended up being. how much bigger he’s gotten. It’s re- move into the group home because I I liked having a job, but this one was ally great that I get to play with him. had a lot of adjusting to do. It’s hard hard and boring. I made a friend at We’ve been together for so long, that for me to write about it, even though the workshop who worked with me whenever he sees me, he runs right it was so long ago. on the same projects a lot. Her name to me. Every week I give him a treat, It was challenging to move to such was Sue, and she was one year older so I know I’m spoiling him. He has a a different environment, where there than I was, so we had a lot of things sister dog but I’ve only met her once. were always staff members supervis- in common. There weren’t many One of the things that I love do- ing us. I had a roommate but unfor- other people my age in the work- ing is anything that has to do with tunately he was a lot older than me shop, so it was nice to meet Sue. She art. For about the last four years, I’ve and he couldn’t see very well so I had also had CP. She was one of my first been taking art classes through CP to help him do things. I was used to friends after I moved, and sometimes Rochester that I attend every Friday having my own room and suddenly I we hung out outside of work when I for an hour. Although I’ve tried other was living with a total stranger. A lot first moved here. Even though we’re kinds of art, my favorite medium is of the time he had the TV and the still in touch, and even though she painting, and my favorite thing to radio on and it was so loud I couldn’t only lives five minutes away, we don’t paint is animals, especially the cats, think. It was very frustrating. I also see each other very often. dogs, and birds that are people’s pets. missed my family a lot since I didn’t Now, I work at another workshop One of the best pieces I’ve done is an know anyone. through CP Rochester five days a etching into glass of a dog. I think Making friends at the group home week. I’ve been working there for part of the reason I like painting dogs was a slow process. On the second about two years. I like this workshop so much is how much I enjoy play- day, people started to be more friend- a lot better, because we get to build ing with the dog who comes to the ly with me, and approached me to things and fix things that are broken. workshop. If I could pick any kind talk to me. For the most part, they I’ve gotten to build a frame for one of pet to have, it would definitely be seemed friendly and kind, and they of my paintings, but I’ve also worked a dog. showed me around. I started to feel on repairing wheelchairs. I built one much better, and some of the first of the desks that can sit on the front friends I made were Jane and Betty. of wheelchairs, supported by the I help them with computers because armrests. that’s something I’m good at, and we I like the people who work there, get along really well. because there are some real funny I still live there today. The house guys. They tend to goof around A dignity: 24 Let Me Explain...

By Jane Gefell In Collaboration with Ripa Chowdhury

y name is Jane. I was born ciative of all the advancement in made of aluminum that was some- in 1960 at St. Mary’s hos- technology, but we must be care- what lighter and easier for my Mpital in Rochester. When I ful and not think that we are “god” family to put in the car. My third was born I didn’t get enough oxy- or that we know more than Jesus. wheelchair was an orange-brown gen to my brain. As a result, I have In the late 60s and early 70s we color with black thick rubber hand cerebral palsy (CP). In the year did not have many technologies grips, and it was very heavy! 1960 we did not have technology; available to us. Back then we had I also had a walker and canes at least it was not as advanced as wheelchairs that were very big, which helped me walk. I had so today’s technology. made of wood, which were not so much equipment to make my life I have been thinking about the easy to use. better. I want to talk about some technology of today. We have so My first wheelchair was made of the wheelchairs I had for many much knowledge about technol- of steel. It was very heavy. I had years that were not the best. They ogy and it is great to have it for to use it for years. But then I got were very uncomfortable. I could our daily lives. We must be appre- another wheelchair and this was only sit up and they did not re-

25 :dignity cline. irritable bowel syndrome, when was only six years old when the You have no idea what I went I stand up it helps me feel much doctor told his parents that their through for many years. better not only physically but also son has been diagnosed with It wasn’t until 1995 when for the emotionally. muscular dystrophy. But that did first time in my life I had a power Let me explain something to not stop him from his dream of wheelchair. My wish came true you. It is not easy to buy some of mobility. He was the one to invent when I was in my 50s! A new form the equipment I need. The pro- the scooters and the busses with of wheelchair was out in the mar- cess is very long. First you have the lifts for wheelchairs. Also the ket which, compared to the ones I to get a note from the doctor and minivans with the pull ramp. He used before, was much more fea- then you have to submit more got his work started in his parents’ sible and comfortable to use: all documentation both to the insur- garage. you had to do to operate it was ance and the wheelchair company *** just push a switch. It allowed me and hope that they will not deny Everyone needs to know to switch positions. It even had your request for what you need. If what disabled human beings go reclining feet and back and that you have Medicaid or other insur- through to get what we need was heaven for me! This made ance, it is an important part of the when we need new equipment. me feel very comfortable. It was process. This is very important in- Now I want to say no matter how GREAT!!!!!! formation. disabled you are, any human be- But wait, that is not all! Now I On the other hand, I have start- ings can do anything they want to. can even push a switch which al- ed to read a book called “Rise No matter how huge or small, you lows me to stand up and walk. Be- Above” by Ralph W. Braun. I have are good at something. cause I have so many different di- started to read the prologue and agnoses like gastric problems and the epilogue. The author Braun

dignity: 26 Dear Readers/Wedding Plans

By Geraldine Copeland In Collaboration with Kate Watts

ear Readers, chase supplies for our art projects. around my neck when I was born My name is Geraldine I have lots of friends at CAC and I and it caused a brain disorder. DCopeland. I work at CAC. I like to see them when I go there. Sometimes it is hard for me to walk don’t know if you know what CAC The people at CAC are so wonder- around because it is hard to keep is, but I love it there. CAC stands ful to be with. my balance. It is hard for me to for Community Arc Connections. I I love living in my group home. stay focused on tasks. Doing my go there during the day to do all I really like all the people I live with art helps me to improve my focus kinds of art, music, writing, quilt- and they are my good friends. and makes me feel like I am being ing, drama, to eat lunch, and to My group home is funded by CP very productive every day. I feel take classes. My program is made Rochester. I read at home and I grateful for my CAC program. Go- possible through government like to cook for my friends in the ing to CAC makes it easier for me funding like Medicaid. I also live house. We bake together. Once I to live with my disability and the in a CP group home in Rochester, made banana pudding pie and we programs there are very impor- New York. CP stands for Cerebral all shared it together. My friends tant to me. Without CAC I would Palsy. I want to write about how at my group home make me feel feel very lonely and if I didn’t have important it is to support the arts, like I belong there for good. They a program to go to I would feel especially for people with disabili- are like my family. very sad. I love my art and I love ties. Before I went to CAC I was CAC very much. Without funding Every day at CAC I go to two in other programs and other for my CAC program I would not classes, one before lunch and one schools. When I was a child I went be able to do the things I love to after lunch. My favorite class is . to school with other kids and I re- do with the people that I care for . . EVERY class! I get to do drama ally liked being there. It was hard so much. and I have been in many plays like because of my disability. It was For this anthology I have writ- Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and hard to learn to read and I was ten three acts of an original play. the Amazing Technicolor Dream not as fast as other students even It has made me very happy to Coat, and Seussical. I loved all the though I tried very hard. It made work on this play for my readers. I plays I was able to act in. I also love me feel angry and frustrated that have enjoyed doing creative writ- directing plays. Being in plays and things were harder for me than ing and coming to the University doing my art makes me feel confi- for other kids. CAC makes me feel of Rochester to participate in the dent and I want to do another play better than being in other places Inspiration Project. I hope you soon. I am also in an acting and because there are lots of people at enjoy this sample of my work as directing class and I want to start CAC who are like me and we work much as I do. I also hope it shows writing plays. together to make beautiful art. I how important it is for everyone Doing my art at CAC makes me love my friends at Community Arc. to have a creative voice. feel happy. Quilting and other They make me laugh. Sincerely, kinds of art make me feel creative Geraldine Copeland and I love the projects I get to do. I was born with brain damage. CAC needs money in order to pur- My umbilical cord was wrapped 27 :dignity Wedding Plans Marsha: beautiful, young princess Kenny: handsome, kind fisherman Queen Daphne: nice, understanding mother of Marsha King Harry: handsome, loyal father of Marsha Steve: abusive, violent fiancé of Marsha Once upon a time… Scene 1: London 1961. The dining room of a castle. There is a long wooden table, a chandelier, two portraits of an old king and queen. King Harry and his wife, Queen Daphne, are sitting at the table having their coffee. Their daughter Marsha enters from stage right holding a plate of food. Her face is covered with bruises, one eye is swollen. Marsha puts her plate of food down hard on the table. Queen Daphne: Good morning, Marsha. Marsha? Marsha! What happened to you? Marsha: Look at me. Look at my body. Look what Steve did to me. Queen Daphne gets up from the table and grabs Marsha by the shoulders: He did this to you? Marsha: He took me to the woods; I didn’t want to go. Marsha starts to eat her breakfast. King Harry: He beat you? Marsha: Well, what does it look like? Queen Daphne strokes Marsha’s hair. King Harry: How dare he! He shall be banished, he will never show his face in my kingdom again! King Harry exits in fury. Marsha sips her milk. Queen Daphne: (quietly) How dare he? Scene 2: King Harry summons Steve to the castle. Awaits Steve’s arrival in the Great Hall: dark, quiet, portraits on the wall of past kings and queens. Steve enters escorted by King Harry’s men. King Harry: (to his men) Leave us now. (Men leave, King and Steve stand alone in the hall.) King Harry: I can’t believe what you’ve done. Those bruises, all those bruises. Steve: Sir… King Harry: She trusted you, we all trusted you; how could you? Steve: She wouldn’t listen to me. I had to do something. King Harry: No you didn’t. You didn’t have to put those bruises on her. Marsha deserves better than you. Leave my kingdom and never come back. Steve is silent. King Harry: Leave now! Steve: You’ll never find anyone else to marry that liar. King Harry: You’re the one who lied, to all of us. She will. She will find someone who loves her, who really sees her. Scene 3: Hempstead Heath, early summer afternoon. Marsha is walking through the long grass. She sees Kenny at a pond, fishing. dignity: 28 Marsha: Hey you! Kenny: Hey what? Marsha: I’ve got a wedding planned next Sunday. Kenny: Yeah? So? Marsha: I’m getting married. Kenny: Congratulations. Marsha: Yeah, I’m getting married, but I don’t have a groom. (Marsha walks up and sits on the bank next to Kenny.) Do you have any plans? Kenny: Plans? Marsha: Are you free next Sunday? Kenny: Why? Marsha: Would you like to be my groom? Kenny: You’re the princess, right? Princess Marsha? Is it gonna be a big wedding? Lots of people? Royalty? How about food? Cake? Ice cream? Marsha: It’s all buffet. The cake is chocolate, ten layers, with white icing. Kenny: I think I’m falling in love . . . Marsha: And there will be plenty of champagne. And a crown waiting for a prince. Kenny: I’ll marry you. Kenny turns to Marsha, looks over her bruises, furrows his brow and moves a piece of hair off her eyes. Mar- sha looks up at Kenny and smiles. Scene ends with Marsha and Kenny sitting together on the bank of the pond.

29 :dignity The Inspiration Project: Project Director Joanna Scott

Project Advisers Deborah Rossen-Knill Glen Cerosaletti

Project Coordinator Katie Van Wert

Consumer Guide Latrice Person

Consumer Advocates Marilyn Argenta Tina Bennett Gretchen Young-Zeh Kristi Powers

Anthology Design Taylor McCabe

Consumers Yeats Chao Jane Gefell Toni Montgomery Latrice Person Thuan Nguyen Tori Bemant Geraldine Copeland Jeff Yarmel

Student Collaborators Ripa Chowdhuy Sara Cohen Illiana Garcia Emily Hessney Jamie Kurtz Taylor McCabe Suzanne McKenzie Dignity: 30