This week we bring you stories about Californians living with disabilities.
Part of the Conversation: How One Deaf 16-Year-Old Navigates High School
When the morning announcements pipe through the walls of Santa Clara High School, students pause, look up for a minute, and listen to what the day has in store for them. But to sophomore Olive Howden, the morning announcements are a daily nuisance. That’s because she’s deaf and uses cochlear implants to help her hear. Olive tells us what it’s like to navigate a full day of high school while struggling to be part of the conversation.
My Sister Can’t Speak, But She Makes Herself Heard
Ana Berlowitz is 37. She has cerebral palsy, which has impacted the part of her brain that controls her speech and movement. Caregivers help feed and dress her, and she talks through a device attached to her wheelchair. Ana also happens to be the sister of the California Report’s Senior Editor, Victoria Mauleón. They grew up together in San Francisco, and sat down to talk about what it means to try to make yourself heard.
What Does It Mean to ‘Edit Out’ a Disability?
A lot of times, conversations around disability are framed like this: Disability is a barrier and we’re searching for a way around it. But what if you could knock down a barrier entirely? Would you? What would it mean to take away a disability? As reporter Margaret Katcher tells us, a family from Sacramento is grappling with exactly that question.
Skiing for All: At Tahoe Resort, Disability is No Barrier to the Slopes
Imagine you’re skiing down the craggy slopes in Lake Tahoe, navigating turns and dodging trees. And doing it all without being able to see. The Achieve Tahoe program at the Alpine Meadows resort helps skiers with a range of disabilities. With all the snow this year, the program has welcomed new and seasoned skiers from all over the state. Reporter Sam Harnett met a up with a few of them after a recent dump of fresh powder.