BCKM Magazine

BCKM Magazine is an email newsletter for disabled kids/teens distributed monthly. It is run by my 3 friends-Kathleen, Maureen, and Bridget-and I. All of us have a physical disability. Started about a year and a half ago, BCKM Magazine started out as a real, on paper magazine. We used to charge money for a subscription. But as costs mounted and it became too difficult to mail out magazines to a list of people every month, we decided to make it solely through email. Now, what to do with all the money that people donated? We didn't need to pay for paper or ink anymore. We decided to donate the money to a worthy charity. But what charity? There were so many that we wanted to help out. Finally, last month (July 2006), I decided to donate the BCKM funds I had to The Bubba Fund, in memory of a very special friend. To learn mroe about the Bubba Fund, go to www.thebubbafund.org. Since then, I have saved every issue of the magazine to post on this site. Note that we don't have all issues, we only have the issues since we started making it an email thing. Plus, we skip the July issue every year since we go to a summer camp for physically challenged kids for most of the month. To learn more about camp, go to www.sfah.org. Click on the link of the issue to go to that magazine.

August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006

Agent Orange Herbicides Leave Children of Vietnam Veterans Severely Disabled

Recently, I have been reading about the effects of Agent Orange, a Vietnam herbicide, in Newsday. I was deeply touched by these people’s stories, because Agent Orange has altered their lives forever. They live the life changing aftermath of Agent Orange every day. Since the Vietnam War, children of soldiers, both Vietnamese and American, have been reported to have major birth defects and potentially fatal disabilities. Many families go through unbelievable suffering every day because troops did not think before spreading Agent Orange. That proves that “Think Before You Act” is a valid statement. They spread dangerous herbicides around Vietnam without keeping in mind the impact it would have on our future. I respect fully all of the servicemen, but what were we thinking by making Agent Orange? Many lawsuits have been settled, but that can’t give victims relief of their ailments. No child or family should be haunted by a war that took place 20 years ago. That shows how harmful war is and how many are hurt during it. If you have an Agent Orange story, send it to one of our emails.

The four of us have returned from camp! Yes, we had a great time! We have missed keeping in contact with our readers and of course, writing! We hope you have been enjoying a fun summer too! We would like to thank all of you for your support and cooperation. Fees are due, so please mail them in a.s.a.p. We would really like comments on our work, so drop a line to our email at bckmallience@hotmail.com or write to us! Please let us know what some of your favorite articles are. If you know a parent of a disabled child who needs advice or support, contact us!

Thank you again, and all the best, The BCKM Team

You know, I’ve been thinking....if I didn't have CP, would I be on all those sports teams, would I do cheerleading, would I do gymnastics...I’d be a completely different person. But yet, a person I want to get to know. How would my philosophies be different? Would I be one of those people that just stare at disabled people? What would I be like??? This is a common and interesting thought for people with disabilities. They may feel sad that they are different sometimes. They may think that they would be better or more wanted if they were able bodied. This is not true. The way my friends and I see it, we may wish to be non disabled at times, but my CP makes us stronger. I believe that a disability changes a child, giving them maturity, understanding, and a perspective of our world. Also, often they are given a gift or interest for abilities taken away, that may some day define their careers in adulthood, such as our interest in writing and activism. Disability has also been theorized to strengthen spirit and will to live. Every day we are different, and yet every day I thank God that I have been given such a beautiful life, and that I can understand and relate to an often-forgotten group of people. In conclusion, despite the struggles it presents, CP makes me who I am, in the past, present, and future.

On July 7th, bombs exploded in the London England tube system, or subways. It killed roughly fifty people and scared the nation. Police swarmed the streets, trying to find an explanation. Emergency squads collected the injured for treatments, and the world watched in terror. Two weeks later, on July 21st, more bombs were discovered in a double-decker bus, one blowing out a bus window, but most of the bombs never detonated. Thankfully, only a few were injured, and no one was killed. Officials are working hard to catch the suspects, and calm down a frightened city. Authorities have made several arrests, but the attacks are being investigated still. The rest of the world is supporting the Londoners and we all have them in our thoughts during a time of difficulty and uncertainty. God Bless London and we all pray that the world will come together during a time when unity is needed.

In the wake of the London bombings of 7/7, terror has again struck, this time rocking a resort in Sharm El-Sheik. The bombs exploded a little after one A.M., killing eighty eight people, and injuring hundreds of tourists. Egyptian Islamic extremists are believed to be responsible because many Egyptians show hate toward Americans. The attack left the resort in shambles. It destroyed cars, and shops along the popular Red Sea location were ruined. Afterward, authorities search for suspects, and the communities struggle to deal with their anguish. Vigils for the grieving nation are being held near the bomb site. Each candle shines through the darkness of a nation in mourning.

Disabilities are no longer just medical conditions. People with disabilities have developed into a community, a complex society. So today, I’m telling you, that a disability is not just a disability, but indeed, a culture. These people have ways of life, beliefs, customs, and all share the common bond of being “different”. Why, then, are they not treated like one. Just like a person can be African American, Caucasian, Chinese, Japanese, or Hispanic, a person can also be disabled. When disability discrimination occurs, it should definitely be called racism, because disability is a race. I raise the question, why are disabled people called “special” or “different” because they are surely just another unique culture in America’s famous melting pot. Like all other melting pot members, we deserve tolerance and respect. The discrimination of other races is taken very seriously, sometimes with legal action, but we, the disabled are often silenced or ignored when we cry out for equality. Some large companies and public places do not follow the American Disabilities Act properly. They often build a cheap narrow ramp and stick a blue sign on it, just to get by. These places do not even care if their “accessible” areas really will meet the needs of disabled Americans. So, readers, speak out for the little known race in the melting pot, Disabled-Americans, a group, a community, a culture.

You or your family member, friend, or neighbor may have a disability, and need medical equipment. You may be able to afford it, but some unfortunately cannot. Medical insurance is costly, which I think is wrong because every child deserves quality care. Companies should not make big bucks off of our conditions. Insurance is too expensive for many, and the need for equipment is dire. Some families need lifts because their child is too heavy to lift, while others need walkers, and often they are denied. So, I ask you, why is it that some have it and some don’t? Why do so many parents struggle to get what their child requires? In my opinion, if it is for the sake of a child’s health, expenses should be paid by an insurance company. I will work in the future to get child medical insurance for all, but for now, if you have an old/unwanted walker, wheelchair, lift, crutch/crutches, cane, braces etc., donate them. Your donation will ease the suffering of someone who doesn’t have one of these items. What you give could make a miracle for a disabled child. Be a giver, a miracle-worker, because a child out there is waiting.

Premature Birth is a leading cause of infant disability, and death. It may seem rare, but almost 10% of babies are born too early. Most babies are born 40 weeks after their mother’s most recent menstrual period, however, many are born much too soon. Most premature babies survive in the United States, but in many countries, these babies are refused treatments because they are too costly. Baroness Mary Warnock of the Netherlands states that premature babies “should be killed because they might be born with a disability.” Ms. Warnock also claims that “parents of premature babies should pay for life support costs.” This is outrageously wrong, because you cannot put on price on human life. Just because they are born disabled or premature, does not mean the child cannot have a happy healthy life. If Mary Warnock had her way, my friends and I (3 lbs 15 oz. and 3 months premature) would be dead. Also, people should not be worrying about the money it costs, because sustaining the life of a baby is far more precious of a gift. How can you say that you can’t afford a preemie, because they should be treated like any other ICU patient… deserving a chance regardless of circumstances. People with disabilities are not a burden to society, and they do count. Fight the campaign to kill premature babies, or we, the people, may face another Holocaust, of people who are not “perfect.” Some famous preemies are Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, John Keats, Stevie Wonder, Mark Twain, Renoir, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin. Think how our world would be different if the preemies had been eliminated all those years ago. No life should have more worth than another, because someone with an illness or medical condition can do great things for the society. Is Ms. Warnock saying that all of our disability advocates and citizens have done nothing but burden the world? I feel very strongly on this subject, so send your comments. Also, please donate to the March of Dimes charity for premature babies.

Today, we would like to bring up several forms of therapies that may be a beneficial alternative or companion to physical/occupational therapy. They may be able to help you, your child, family member, or friend.

Therapeutic Horsebackriding- This is a fun activity designed to improve balance, posture, range of motion, strength, and social skills while having a great time. As they ride along, students get the chance to stretch their bodies. This type of therapy can also work out the every day pains some children experience. It may also reduce spasticity in the muscles. In children with mental disabilities, instructors may concentrate on social skills, listening, concentration, and speech. For more info go to pal-o-mine.org or call Pal-O-Mine at Office: (631) 348-1389.

Dog Therapy- This is a form of therapy often given to hospitalized children. Programs bring dogs, and the children are given the opportunity to exercise while playing with a canine pal. Kristina Kuznetsova, an friend with cerebral palsy, says that dog therapy “reduces the cramps and aches normally experienced while being stretched out because you are focused on playing with the dog.”

Water Therapy- I have been swimming lately, and found being in the water to be very good for me. I noticed less spasms, aches, and pains. The water granted me more flexibility, and my once tense body was now relaxed and moving. It is a great form of exercise, and disabled swimming lessons can be acquired.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE AUGUST EDITION!!!! COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED. SEND IN FEES A.S.A.P. FEES ARE ONE DOLLAR! IF THIS IS YOUR 1st ISSUE, YOU ARE ALLOWED A FREE SAMPLE!!!