D.A.J. Consultants D.A.J. Consultants

D.A.J. Consultants' mission is to raise disability D.A.J. Consultants' mission is to raise disability awareness in a humorous way. We feel that this awareness in a humorous way. We feel that this method will convey information easier. This will method will convey information easier. This will increase the quality of life for everyone that is increase the quality of life for everyone that is

involved. involved.

Our vision is a world that is more understanding, Our vision is a world that is more understanding, helpful and tolerant towards people who are helpful and tolerant towards people who are

disabled. disabled.

..

What we do at D.A.J. ConsultantsWhat we do at D.A.J. Consultants

In June, 2005 my colleagues John Barron, In June, 2005 my colleagues John Barron, Andrew Clewell and I began to form a business Andrew Clewell and I began to form a business called D.A.J. Consultants. The focus of our called D.A.J. Consultants. The focus of our business is to educate the public on how to business is to educate the public on how to treat the disabled community. Also, we speak treat the disabled community. Also, we speak about the struggles of disabled students in all of about the struggles of disabled students in all of the stages of their education. We would like to the stages of their education. We would like to improve the quality of life of disabled improve the quality of life of disabled individuals. individuals.

QuestionsQuestions People start asking themselves questions, when they see People start asking themselves questions, when they see

different people. I wonder what those questions are. I can different people. I wonder what those questions are. I can guess some of them. I would like to start talking about guess some of them. I would like to start talking about them.them.

How many of you know of someone who has a disability? How many of you know of someone who has a disability?

Please raise your hand.Please raise your hand.

Can you guess our disabilities? If you want to, please Can you guess our disabilities? If you want to, please raise your hand.raise your hand.

How much do you know about the disability?How much do you know about the disability?

Questions are natural. Don’t shy away from askingQuestions are natural. Don’t shy away from asking ..

Danny’s LifeDanny’s Life

I have a rare form of MD called Fibrocystic Disproportionate I have a rare form of MD called Fibrocystic Disproportionate Type II. I have lived with this disability for my entire life. I lived Type II. I have lived with this disability for my entire life. I lived with my parents until they divorced when I was 3 years old. I with my parents until they divorced when I was 3 years old. I then lived with my father and step mother until I was 9 years then lived with my father and step mother until I was 9 years old. When I was 9, I moved into Children's Hospital in old. When I was 9, I moved into Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh for a couple months until they could find another Pittsburgh for a couple months until they could find another place for me to live. I then moved into a nursing home in Ohio, place for me to live. I then moved into a nursing home in Ohio, where I lived for the next 6 years. In 1996 I moved back to where I lived for the next 6 years. In 1996 I moved back to Pittsburgh and moved into a rehab facility where I lived for 4 Pittsburgh and moved into a rehab facility where I lived for 4 years. During these years I attended the Quaker Valley School years. During these years I attended the Quaker Valley School District. This brings me to my current residence of a group District. This brings me to my current residence of a group home in Natrona Heights. While here I attended Highlands High home in Natrona Heights. While here I attended Highlands High School, where I graduated in 2002, and I recently started my School, where I graduated in 2002, and I recently started my own business called DAJ Consultants. own business called DAJ Consultants.

Back in SchoolBack in School

We figured since you all plan on being in some We figured since you all plan on being in some kind of disability field, it might be helpful for me kind of disability field, it might be helpful for me to tell you what helped me when I was in to tell you what helped me when I was in school, and also what I think could have been school, and also what I think could have been helpful to learn. helpful to learn.

Things that helped me in schoolThings that helped me in school

Some of the things that I took away from school, that Some of the things that I took away from school, that helped me the most are:helped me the most are:

- I learned how to use a computer and PowerPoint, I learned how to use a computer and PowerPoint, which helps me to this day. which helps me to this day.

- I learned how to sell things, including myself, which I learned how to sell things, including myself, which also helps to this day. also helps to this day.

- I had a teacher who suggested I try listening to books I had a teacher who suggested I try listening to books on CD’s, and I am very appreciative for that tip. on CD’s, and I am very appreciative for that tip.

- I have also met friends and teachers who I will never I have also met friends and teachers who I will never forget and I am still friends with some of them today. forget and I am still friends with some of them today.

But there were things in school that But there were things in school that could have been bettercould have been better

There are a couple things that I believe could There are a couple things that I believe could have been better when I was in school. I have been better when I was in school. I believe my disability was sometimes more of a believe my disability was sometimes more of a hindrance to my teachers than it was to me. hindrance to my teachers than it was to me. When I was a child, my teachers, including my When I was a child, my teachers, including my parents and grandparents didn’t believe I was parents and grandparents didn’t believe I was capable of learning as fast as other children. capable of learning as fast as other children. For this reason, I was never taught to read or For this reason, I was never taught to read or write. write.

Another thing that could have been Another thing that could have been betterbetter

One of the most important things I missed when One of the most important things I missed when in school was the lack of guidance from in school was the lack of guidance from teachers and administrators. I believe with the teachers and administrators. I believe with the correct guidance, I would not only be able to correct guidance, I would not only be able to read and write, but I would now be in college read and write, but I would now be in college and be able to have more of an impact in this and be able to have more of an impact in this world.world.

Marco’s LifeMarco’s Life

My name is Marco Giovengo and I was born on November 23My name is Marco Giovengo and I was born on November 23rdrd 1989 in Wexford, PA. I was born with Muscular Dystrophy and 1989 in Wexford, PA. I was born with Muscular Dystrophy and lived in the hospital for the first 6 months of my life. It took the lived in the hospital for the first 6 months of my life. It took the doctors a few months to diagnose my condition. After they doctors a few months to diagnose my condition. After they found out that I have MD, I was only in the hospital for a few found out that I have MD, I was only in the hospital for a few more months, then was released to go home. When I went more months, then was released to go home. When I went home at 6 months old, I already had a trach, feeding tube and home at 6 months old, I already had a trach, feeding tube and C-pap to help me breath. Eventually I was put on a ventilator at C-pap to help me breath. Eventually I was put on a ventilator at night. I have been dependent on the ventilator since I’ve been night. I have been dependent on the ventilator since I’ve been about 10 years old, so now I am on the vent at all times. I have about 10 years old, so now I am on the vent at all times. I have lived at home with my parents and my sister Diandra for my lived at home with my parents and my sister Diandra for my entire life. entire life.

SchoolSchool

I went to Marshal Elementary school and Marshall Middle School in the North I went to Marshal Elementary school and Marshall Middle School in the North Allegheny school district. That was pretty good for me, but sometimes the Allegheny school district. That was pretty good for me, but sometimes the other middle school kids would make fun of me and talk behind my back. I other middle school kids would make fun of me and talk behind my back. I wasn’t sure how to handle it then, so I just sat there and took it, now I would wasn’t sure how to handle it then, so I just sat there and took it, now I would tell them to be quiet. I have two good friends that I met in grade school and tell them to be quiet. I have two good friends that I met in grade school and we are still friends to this day. I met my friend Mike in Kindergarten. We both we are still friends to this day. I met my friend Mike in Kindergarten. We both enjoy watching and talking about baseball to this day. I then met my friend enjoy watching and talking about baseball to this day. I then met my friend Lauren when I was 7 years old while playing Challenger Baseball in North Lauren when I was 7 years old while playing Challenger Baseball in North Hills. I then went to the North Allegheny Intermediate School and then to Hills. I then went to the North Allegheny Intermediate School and then to North Allegheny Senior High School. When I got to high school, the kids North Allegheny Senior High School. When I got to high school, the kids matured and treated me with great respect. I met my friend Eric when I was matured and treated me with great respect. I met my friend Eric when I was a freshman in high school and we both enjoy watching and discussing a freshman in high school and we both enjoy watching and discussing baseball and go to Pirate games together to this day. baseball and go to Pirate games together to this day.

TeachersTeachers

The teachers usually treated me just like all the other kids. They The teachers usually treated me just like all the other kids. They would give me a few breaks every now and then, but treated would give me a few breaks every now and then, but treated me with respect. I was mostly in regular classes that all the me with respect. I was mostly in regular classes that all the other kids took, but I was in one learning support class each other kids took, but I was in one learning support class each year. It was a reading and writing class. I still remember my 3year. It was a reading and writing class. I still remember my 3rdrd grade math teacher Mr. Panos and how he always took his time grade math teacher Mr. Panos and how he always took his time to talk to me and got to know me and made sure I understood to talk to me and got to know me and made sure I understood what he was teaching. I think that is one of the reasons I like what he was teaching. I think that is one of the reasons I like math to this day. In high school I started playing the snare drum math to this day. In high school I started playing the snare drum and joined the band. I have been playing it ever since and now and joined the band. I have been playing it ever since and now play in the college band at Robert Morris. I now attend Robert play in the college band at Robert Morris. I now attend Robert Morris University and I am majoring in Sports Management. Morris University and I am majoring in Sports Management.

QUESTIONQUESTION

What did you think about us when we came into What did you think about us when we came into this room?this room?

ANSWERSANSWERS

Did you feel sorry for us?Did you feel sorry for us?Did you just stare at us?Did you just stare at us?Did you talk about us as if we were not here?Did you talk about us as if we were not here?Did you make fun of us?Did you make fun of us?Did you wonder what was wrong with us?Did you wonder what was wrong with us?Did you think we were intellectually challenged?Did you think we were intellectually challenged?

REALITYREALITY

The reality is that these are things that most The reality is that these are things that most people think when they first see a person with a people think when they first see a person with a disability or in a wheel chair. This of course disability or in a wheel chair. This of course could not be further from the truth. If you take could not be further from the truth. If you take one thing away from this presentation it should one thing away from this presentation it should be to treat a person with a disability as a person be to treat a person with a disability as a person first, then their disability second. Just because first, then their disability second. Just because a person is in a wheelchair doesn’t mean that a person is in a wheelchair doesn’t mean that their mind is in a wheelchair. their mind is in a wheelchair.

How to treat a person with a How to treat a person with a disabilitydisability

People with a disability want to be treated just People with a disability want to be treated just like any other person. We don’t like to be singled like any other person. We don’t like to be singled out. A wise man once said to treat others as you out. A wise man once said to treat others as you would like to be treated. You should treat a would like to be treated. You should treat a person with a disability like you would want to be person with a disability like you would want to be treated. treated.

How to treat peopleHow to treat people

Here is a real life example of how you should treat a Here is a real life example of how you should treat a person with a disability. In the spring of 2006, I went person with a disability. In the spring of 2006, I went out to a restaurant in the mall, with a friend who also out to a restaurant in the mall, with a friend who also has a disability, and another friend without a disability. has a disability, and another friend without a disability. To my surprise, the host was very courteous when To my surprise, the host was very courteous when seating us, and when the waitress asked us what we seating us, and when the waitress asked us what we wanted to eat and drink, she spoke directly to us wanted to eat and drink, she spoke directly to us instead of directing all her questions to the non-instead of directing all her questions to the non-disabled friend we were with. Normally this does not disabled friend we were with. Normally this does not happen. , I have found that the waitress would speak happen. , I have found that the waitress would speak directly to the non-disabled person I am with instead of directly to the non-disabled person I am with instead of me. me. Lets go back to my questions from earlier. Lets go back to my questions from earlier.

Did you feel sorry for us?Did you feel sorry for us?

If you did feel sorry for us, why did you feel sorry for If you did feel sorry for us, why did you feel sorry for us? You should not feel sorry for a person with a us? You should not feel sorry for a person with a disability. A person with a disability does not want disability. A person with a disability does not want pity. We don’t pity ourselves, so why should anyone pity. We don’t pity ourselves, so why should anyone else. We don’t pity ourselves because we have else. We don’t pity ourselves because we have accepted our disability. Some of us even use it as a accepted our disability. Some of us even use it as a tool, if you will, to help others. We become advocates tool, if you will, to help others. We become advocates and try to teach others how to overcome and accept and try to teach others how to overcome and accept their disability. We also teach others how to treat a their disability. We also teach others how to treat a person with a disability. person with a disability.

Did you stare at us?Did you stare at us?

It’s only natural for a person to stare at another It’s only natural for a person to stare at another who is different, but it doesn’t mean it’s the right who is different, but it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Instead of staring at the person, go thing to do. Instead of staring at the person, go up to them and start a conversation with them up to them and start a conversation with them just like you would talk to any other person. just like you would talk to any other person. Always be sure to talk to the person with the Always be sure to talk to the person with the disability, not the person they are with. This is disability, not the person they are with. This is demeaning to the person with the disability. demeaning to the person with the disability. Another tip would be to put yourself at eye level Another tip would be to put yourself at eye level with a person who uses a wheelchair. with a person who uses a wheelchair.

Did you talk about us?Did you talk about us?

It’s obviously very rude to talk about someone It’s obviously very rude to talk about someone behind their back, let alone while they are in the behind their back, let alone while they are in the room. This happens more often than not with a room. This happens more often than not with a person with a disability. The rule of thumb here person with a disability. The rule of thumb here is that if you don’t have something nice to say, is that if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. then don’t say anything at all.

Did you make fun of us?Did you make fun of us?

You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Don’t You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Don’t judge a person by the way they look on the judge a person by the way they look on the outside. It’s the inside that really counts. There outside. It’s the inside that really counts. There is a general bias towards people who are is a general bias towards people who are disabled, based on the way they look, or if they disabled, based on the way they look, or if they are in a wheelchair. A lot of the general public are in a wheelchair. A lot of the general public automatically assume that if you are in a automatically assume that if you are in a wheelchair, that person is mentally challenged. wheelchair, that person is mentally challenged. Most people have a hard time getting past the Most people have a hard time getting past the wheelchair. Get over it, we’re just like anyone wheelchair. Get over it, we’re just like anyone else. else.

Did you wonder what was wrong Did you wonder what was wrong with us?with us?

It’s obvious that we are different since we are in It’s obvious that we are different since we are in wheelchairs, but people usually don’t ask us wheelchairs, but people usually don’t ask us why we are in a wheelchair. Instead they why we are in a wheelchair. Instead they usually speculate. We would rather you ask us usually speculate. We would rather you ask us about our disability than staring and wondering. about our disability than staring and wondering.

Did you think we were intellectually Did you think we were intellectually challenged?challenged?

You should not assume that just because our You should not assume that just because our bodies are disabled, that our minds are also bodies are disabled, that our minds are also disabled. People who have a disability have disabled. People who have a disability have dreams and aspirations just like anyone else. I dreams and aspirations just like anyone else. I will use myself as an example to demonstrate will use myself as an example to demonstrate how people who are disabled have dreams. how people who are disabled have dreams.

Our dreams & aspirationsOur dreams & aspirations

We would like to find a jobWe would like to find a jobWe would like to get married and have children We would like to get married and have children

some day.some day.We would like to travel. We would like to travel. We would like to see more job opportunities We would like to see more job opportunities

available for people with disabilities.available for people with disabilities.

Do’s & Don’tsDo’s & Don’ts

Do: Speak directly to the Do: Speak directly to the person with the person with the disability. disability.

DO: Place yourself at DO: Place yourself at eye level when talking to eye level when talking to a person in a a person in a wheelchair.wheelchair.

Do Remember: Shaking Do Remember: Shaking hands is acceptable, but hands is acceptable, but observe if both hands observe if both hands are functional. Shaking are functional. Shaking with the left hand is with the left hand is acceptable. acceptable.

Don’t speak to their Don’t speak to their companion or companion or interpreter.interpreter.

Don’t talk above a Don’t talk above a person in a wheelchair. person in a wheelchair. This might make them This might make them feel inferior.feel inferior.

Don’t assume the person Don’t assume the person will be able to shake with will be able to shake with their right hand. their right hand.

Friendships & RelationshipsFriendships & Relationships

We feel it is extremely important for people who We feel it is extremely important for people who have disabilities to have friends and intimate have disabilities to have friends and intimate relationships. This helps make us more relationships. This helps make us more confident and helps us with our self esteem. confident and helps us with our self esteem. We also feel our friendships last longer than We also feel our friendships last longer than people who are not disabled since most people people who are not disabled since most people don’t realize what they have when they find a don’t realize what they have when they find a good friend. good friend.

Most important thingMost important thing

We hope some of this information helps you in We hope some of this information helps you in your future endeavors. If there is one thing you your future endeavors. If there is one thing you should take away from this presentation, it should take away from this presentation, it should be to treat a person with a disability like should be to treat a person with a disability like any other person, and like you would want to be any other person, and like you would want to be treated. treated.

QuestionsQuestions

We would now like to open the floor up to you. We would now like to open the floor up to you. does anyone have any questions or comments does anyone have any questions or comments for us? Please don’t be shy about asking for us? Please don’t be shy about asking anything that has to do with us or our anything that has to do with us or our disabilities or any disability related topics. disabilities or any disability related topics.

Contact informationContact information

Daniel A. Shirey Marco Giovengo Daniel A. Shirey Marco Giovengo

Disability Consultants & SpeakersDisability Consultants & Speakers

1511 Hawthorne St.1511 Hawthorne St.

Natrona Heights, PA 15065Natrona Heights, PA 15065

724-914-1376724-914-1376

d.a.j.consultants@inbox.com

www.dajconsultants.net