Wiley’s Walk
Join the journey. Walk the path.
Writing by Kerry Ann Wiley about disability, adaptation, participation, and the difference between access and inclusion.
New on Wiley’s Walk
-
Charlie and His Horse: Perceptions of Pain
Growing up I experienced cramps of such intensity in both of my legs that I would break into sobs because of the strength of the pain. In most cases, a hurting and weeping four-year-old does not have the expressiveness or coherence to…
No comments on Charlie and His Horse: Perceptions of Pain -
Adversity and Resilience
For eight weeks in 2015, life as I knew it stopped. I saw every doctor possible to identify the cause of a mysterious and unknown pain in my legs. By the fifth medical visit, I was exhausted. Every test that was conducted…
-
Active and Healthy Aging: The Keys to Living Well
In honor of Memorial Day and my friend Stella Wetterhahn … Stella Was A World War II Veteran and a Nurse. She will be in my heart forever… Every Saturday, after my workout, I get on a bus and head Downtown to…
-
Expectations, Perceptions, and Achievement
I came across a book called “Everybody Belongs: Changing Negative Attitudes toward Classmates with Disabilities.” by: Arthur Shapiro. The book was written several years ago and yet the themes from the book apply easily in 2019. Mr. Shapiro’s book offers in-depth perspectives…
-
Living without the Label
I am almost 44 years old. I work and own my own home. I earned more than one college degree. Does it sound like I am reciting a resume? Sometimes I feel that way in my interactions with the world. I have…
-
Communities, Belonging and Authentic Inclusion
Regardless of whether a person has a disability or not, we all want to connect. We all want to have a ‘place’ where we belong. When I refer to the concept of place, I do not mean the bricks and mortar of…
-
Can’t Versus Can: The case for teaching Self-Determination and Self-Sufficiency
There are volumes of literature about the transition to adult life and self-determination for people with disabilities. An article entitled “Advice from Adults with Physical Disabilities on Fostering Self-Determination during the School Years” sparked some reflections about my own upbringing. The definition…
-
Challenge by Choice: Inclusion through Project Adventure
Back in 2011, I was walking to get my lunch and passed a young child whose face creased, turned into a scowl, and then the unmistakable question mark appeared. I caught the once over stare as they pulled on their caregiver’s sleeve.…
-
The Roadrunner – A Famous Bird and A Memorable Race
The roadrunner is a bird made famous by its name and ability to run up to 20 miles per hour. While the Roadrunner can fly, it stays mostly on the ground. A roadrunner has long, wobbly legs and is often seen as…
-
An Invisible Separateness
Our culture has introduced the idea of inclusion (age appropriate participation with our peers) for years. Laws support it, schools teach it, and many advocates work tirelessly to bring the concept of disability awareness, inclusion, and participation into schools, workplaces, and general…