Come and see Chris Benedict AKA DJ of Ability first ever Multimedia event!

Posted in Uncategorized on September 2, 2009 by djofability

Techno Mania at the Art Walk

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

in the Gladwin Planetarium

2559 Puesta Del Sol

Santa Barbara CA, 93105

September 26-27 all day both days

Gift certificates now available!

Posted in Uncategorized on July 31, 2008 by djofability

DJ of Ability AKA Chris Benedict

Posted in Uncategorized on April 6, 2008 by djofability

Motivational Speaking Outline

Posted in Motivational Speaking on September 29, 2007 by djofability

Chris Benedict: Presentation Outline
Objective: I want to help the public be more understanding and change their attitude towards disabled people.

1.    Introduction
Get people into small groups
Who am I
Pass out index cards for questions at the end of the presentation
If you don’t understand me please raise your hand
Small Group Activity ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
Stereotyping words
Look them up in the dictionary
ASK: What do you think when you see a disabled person?
2.    What is Cerebral Palsy? Activity ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
How do you get it?
Medical explanation
lack of oxygen leads to brain damage
it is not genetic
anyone can get it
Handout worksheet with resources/web sites (coming soon)
3.    My History Activity ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
How I got Cerebral Palsy

My family:
mom & dad were at fire works in Boise, Idaho  (they were eating steak)
mom developed a stomach ache
mom & dad got ready to go home
mom decided to  go to the ER
the doctor gave her pain medicine (Demerol)
mom said “that is the last time I’ll eat steak”
mom had aneurysm
C section
she died
Apgar score zero
Chris 3 Lbs. at birth, dropped to 2 lb, 11 oz.
Chris in the NICU for 6 weeks
dad took me home to Boise, Idaho
I lived in Boise for 16 months, developed CP
dad got AA help
I went to live in Santa Barbara Aug. 1983

Surgeries
4.    What I can do: Activity ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
What I can do
Apartment
day to day routine
how I get around, chair, van, bus
ASK: how much do you think disabled equipment costs?
Photos (coming soon) of travel, soccer, computers, speeches, current job at Sur La Table, DJ
Do’s and Don’ts Activity ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
don’t pat me on the head (I’m not rover)
don’t treat me like a kid (If the person uses diapers or a catheter does it not mean their retarded)
if I’m with a friend and you have a question for  me ask me not my friend
If the person is a total jerk it’s who he/she is, not the disability
Before you help, ask
If you have a question ask, but don’t stare
5.    Misconceptions about Cerebral Palsy ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
not contagious
if I have kids they cannot get it
cannot get it by touching someone (Hugs are okay!)
6. Advocating for people with disabilities ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
ADA
Laws and rights (not just laws but the attitude)
How do you get involved?
7. What have you learned today? ASK DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT ANYTHING
Answer questions from index cards

“It’s about including not excluding”
“It’s about what I can do, NOT about what I can’t do!”

Conversation Questions for after speech:
1.    Have you ever spent time with people  with a disability?
2.    What do you notice?
3.    What is hard for you to understand?
4.    What are some ways that we are the same?
5.    Did God mess up when he made them?  (answer – NO)
6.    Something to think about:
7.    It’s OK to be uncomfortable – it’s just what we do with that uncomfortable ness that matters.
8.    How would you want to be treated if you had a disability?
*Guided answer – just like anyone else – not babied and not       f    over looked.
9.    Remember Chris’ challenge to us:
Challenge the audience not to use stairs, curbs … for one day to see how it feels to have this disability

It’s about what I CAN do NOT about what I CANT do- Live it Don’t Diss IT!

Posted in Uncategorized on September 29, 2007 by djofability