Reflections From the Participants

We would like to share some of our thoughts with you here.

Katie's Poem

I miss the me
I used to be
standing on my own.
But now wheels go round.
Freedom found.
Independence shown.

- Katie Rodriguez Banister 1992

A Performer's Memoir

By Alison Chancellor

Dear Journal,

I lived my dream tonight. Wow, Powell Hall. What can I say? I had no idea how tremendous the auditorium was…the sounds I'm hearing are mesmerizing. The flutist diligently reads the notes as if they were in competition with one another on the music staff in rehearsal for the big show.

My nerves are running amuck…will I do everything as well for an audience like I did without one? Where's everyone? I told them to be here at 6:15…I can't wait to get started…

John's up first. Boy, he's great, but this is the longest ten minutes of my life…it feels like an eternity, but I know I'll never want the moment to end. I'll use this time to mentally warm up, and get into my body. I tilt my head to the left, the right, and the center. A few deep breaths…talk about relaxing…what happens now? Oh, I think it's time to go on.

"Take your places." Well, this is it. The first minute of waiting is just that. A double eternity. One last deep breath before the true start of the piece. Boy, I'm tired of sitting here. I'll fidget a little. What time is it? Mom's watch stopped working. Here. Use mine. My foot strap is loose on my wheelchair. Fix it. Fine. Seatbelts are bad. Let me loosen it. No mom, stop. I tighten it a little. Mom doesn't like that. I slap her when she tries to fix it yet again. She definitely doesn't like that. I guess I'm grounded when I get home…it's inevitable…She then starts fixing everything from my hair to my clothes…Never thought lint would be so annoying to her. She's too picky. I slap her again. I guess she can't wait to get me home. Spanking, anyone? I try to get away. She's on a roll. Whiplashville. (just kidding.) Ok, I think mom's done. She never lets me have any fun. Maybe I'll give her the "lip." Oh, look, Joan smiles.

Waking is next…John just finished. BOING! I have never felt this way before. Try moving this way and that. I love this…weeble doll. I am very relaxed. Freeze…try this. I didn't know I could do this. I like it. Last ding. One more gong. Live in the moment.

-Alison- April 2, 2001