For more than 30 years, members of Pi Kappa Phi have been taking on a 3,000-mile trek across the country to spread the message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities on an event called Journey of Hope. This summer, I will join one-hundred other students and alumni from around the country on one of three routes, each beginning on the west coast and ending together in Washington, DC. Averaging 70 miles a day, my teammates and I will all cycle across deserts, over mountains, and through the rain and heat. While this may seem like an impossible challenge, it is nothing compared to the obstacles faced everyday by people with disabilities. The team will be raising awareness of disabilities while spreading the Mission, Vision, and Values of The Ability Experience. As the vision states, we will "create a community, one relationship at a time, where the abilities of all people are recognized and valued." A disability is NOT an inability - every person deserves to be treated with the same amount of respect.
After spending Spring Break 2018 with The Ability Experience in Guatemala, I quickly realized how important it is to give back to the community and that I wanted to do more! It is truly a humbling experience, and I loved every second of it - especially spending time playing with children with disabilities. I am blessed to have the various opportunities in life that I have had, and think it is important to support others that may not have had the same experiences.
All proceeds go to the Ability Experience to be used for the JoH trip. Throughout the summer, we will engage with local communities at events called Friendship Visits. These can include activities like bowling, dance parties, cookouts and sports. They are all about creating meaningful shared experiences and embracing the abilities of all people. Donations will also fund different grants given to the local disability organizations that we visit.
Although I have already surpassed my fundraising goal of $6,000 all additional donations will allow my team to increase the grants we give to disability organizations that we visit along the way. You can still make a donation on my page making a donation through my page. Thanks so much for your support!"
Photos: J. Klimavicius and the Ability Experience
