2014 Books to boost self-esteem

Here is my by no means exhaustive but interesting list of books that helped boost my own self-esteem in 2014, with explanations. Enjoy, and post some of your own if you're so inclined. Also included are some I'm looking forward to in 2015! 1. WONDER, by R. J. Pelacio. Such an amazing book. I read it for my middle schooler's Oregon Battle of the Books list and was affected enough to think about it for days afterward. Just a lyrical read. "Summary: I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."

2. TANGERINE, by Edward Bloor. A similar OBOB read, but about a kid in a Florida suburb who ends up playing soccer and finding himself. Great read.

3. YES PLEASE, by Amy Poehler, and BOSSY PANTS, by Tina Fey. Yes, they are comedian's memoirs. but so powerful in that these are women who fight for what they want: a seat at the table of all funny greats. Both of their stories are not just amusing, but inspirational. And did I say funny as hell? So funny.

4. This one is a read-in-progress, and I have some issues with it, but LEAN IN: WOMEN< WORK AND THE WILL TO LEAD intrigues me. I'm not sure I agree with the author Sheryl Sandburg on every thing but it's a lot to think about. 5. OUTRAGEOUS ACTS AND EVERYDAY REBELLIONS, by Gloria Steinem. Again a read-in-progress, but these essays are provocative and make me want to shake up my daily thoughts and actions.

Adaptive Tools List

Here is a list of some of the Physical Adaptive Tools I have used. I have other more interactive tools in my arsenal, but this is a short list of what has been useful for me. *Both walkers and canes. I have what I call my "cane wardrobe" with canes for all occasions *A three-wheeled bike because I don't drive *A "grabber" or an arm extender *Grab bars *Seat raisers *Special utensils (foam forms to make utensils easy to grab) *Special glasses What are some that work for you? I'll give you a hint of my favorite Tool:

It makes my life so much easier! Plus I can get a lot at the market and/or the Library in it. Put your favorite Tools in the comments.

The Toolbox Workbook at Art & The Vineyard

I'm so pleased to say that the copies of the "Self-Advocacy Toolbox Workbook" have arrived! They're in my hot little hands, and I will be signing it an all my other books at the Art & The Vineyard in Eugene, Oregon at 5:30 in the Oregon Authors area. Here's the link: http://www.artandthevineyard.org/artmarketpl.html And here's a great photo that captures what the festival is about.

Come see me! After all, there will be wine... And great books and art. It all goes to support a fabulous cause, the Maude Kerns art Center. See You There!

Self-Advocacy Tools: The Vision Board

The Vision Board is The 4th Self-Advocacy Tool: Art as a Deductive Device. In a vision board, you collage, write about, draw and imagine your way to what you want. This can be a goal; this can be a situation desired; or it can be the manifestation of a long-tucked-away dream. It's not a new idea under the sun, of course, but I like to think that using art to figure out what you want is a kind of moving meditation. Having your hands act out what you desire is powerful. As they tear out the magazine picture, as they use childish means to elaborate what is dreamed, the colored pencils and crayons and paste give us permission to figure out what the deep wants of our smallest self are. It gives you agency in your life. The handout I give out at my live talks includes tips and advice in creating your own Vision Board, and I'm reproducing them here: • Stacks of old magazines. These are good for so many uses—cutting photos out off for faces or bodies of your characters, for texture in a collage, or tear out quotes that speak to you.

• Through my research into brain injury I’ve found that, like writing or drawing with your non-dominant hand, going across your artistic persuasion can provide you with a new perspective that can be valuable. This is also true if you consider yourself a non-artist. Mess around and see what comes out.

• Have playful tools at your disposal. Hit up sales for other fun pieces of art equipment; glitter pens! crayons, pastels, etc. Try watercolors. Try crayons. Use fancy charcoal pencils, had for low cost but something that can make you feel important and official. Glitter pens are my favorite!!

• Newspapers. Use a headline or a story to spark a piece of writing or art. Doing so can help you find a bigger theme in your work and generate insight.

• Use photos. This is a collection of images and writing that are meaningful to you in a different way, so use photos that inspire you. It could be something that sparks a memory, or the photo of the couch in the apartment you want to have someday.

• Get stickers! A well-placed gold star can make you feel like a million dollars. It’s fun to celebrate your creations.

Self-Advocacy Poster released!

I was pleased to get the Self-advocacy Talk poster from the publicist at the Fern Ridge Library recently. Here it is:

Recommended Books in Self-Advocacy

You know how when you read a good book, you want someone else to read it too, so you can share? Well, here's a list of books I recommend in my Self-Advocacy talks. I'll add to it, but here's what's on my mind lately: Bridges, Jeff, The Dude and the Zen Master

Cameron, Julia, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Estes, Clarissa Pinkola, Women Who Run With the Wolves

Goldberg, Natalie, Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life

Hyde, Lewis, The Gift

Susan Jeffers, Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway

Kabat-Zinn, Jon, Wherever You Go, There You Are

Kahlo, Frida, The Diary of Frida Kahlo

Kephart, Beth, Handling the Truth

Lightman, Alan, Einstein’s Dreams

Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Power

SARK, Succulent Wild Woman

Happy Reading!

Welcome

Welcome to the Self-Advocacy Toolbox! This blog is a place to share our struggles, triumphs, and anecdotes in the self-advocacy journey. Here, we'll talk about things we have learned with the Toolbox and also how we answer the Advocacy Questions:

What do I want? What are my immediate and long-term goals? What obstacles are in the way of me achieving it? How can I change my environment (socially, personally, at work, at school) in order to achieve it? What steps are going to make that possible? I'll be speaking about the Toolbox at many events in the coming year. One of these is the Body Love Conference, April 5 in Tucson, AZ., and another is the Oregon Country Fair, July 11, 12, and 13, in Veneta, OR. I'll keep this site updated with appearnaces and look forward to hearing your stories.