To follow is a letter from one of our HybridLife community members, Chris. Chris is an amazing athlete and inspiration, we look forward to the success of the Nametags Tour.

Hi All,

2009 was quite a year with the climb, the preparation, the stress, the travel, the excitement and the press. When I finally had time to reflect, I realized something that may have been obvious to many of you. One Revolution’s mission is to gain equality for people with disabilities by removing obstacles specifically to mobility and public perception. We’ve called our mission “shining a light,” and “offering opportunity,” but it’s ultimately about “equality,” which was a difficult revelation for me. I never want to complain or whine that something isn’t fair, but there is a problem that we can’t ignore. People with disabilities are a minority that is hidden, invisible and mute. It’s easy to think that Americans with Disabilities Act solved all the issues, but it didn’t. Obstacles persist unchallenged as assumptions that ignore the individual. Let me give you an example.

On January 1st, while scooting down my basement stairs to train on my roller, I broke my leg when I slipped a couple of steps and ran into the wall. I heard my tib/fib snap and knew that I had to go to the hospital even though I experienced no pain.

After checking my heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, etc., the attendant asked, “What drugs are you on?”
“None.”
“Really? For someone in your state, no depression?”

I can’t imagine that she would make that comment to another minority. It revealed the assumptions that lay below the surface. And I feel like I project a happy and undeterred attitude. What if she made that comment to someone who hasn’t done the things that I’ve done? We need to challenge the assumptions that society harbors as fact because they are the obstacles to gaining equality not just for people with disabilities, but for all of us.

With change and equality in mind, we are planning a 10-month, 30 city tour that will combine our educational program, “Nametags,” with film showings. In each city we will spend about a week with goals of 15 school presentations and 3-4 film showings. For the entire tour, we hope to reach 450 schools and 150,000 students.

A tentative tour schedule and brief “Nametags” description are below. Please contact Stephanie Schacht (stephanieschacht@gmail.com) if you would like us to visit your school or community.

All my best,

Chris

Nametags

How many of us spent childhood trying to fit in—trying to hide deficiencies, insecurities, strengths and talents—not wanting to be labeled different—not wanting to wear a “Nametag” that says “geek,” “dork,” “gifted,” “overachiever,” or “dreamer?” Wouldn’t it be a gift for our kids, to live without labels? Maybe then they could look beyond their first impressions to see the greatness in others and the potential in themselves. “Nametags” looks at our differences not as reasons to be separate, but as indications of potential genius, and a great reason to come together.

Through activities and anecdotes in a comfortable give-and-take environment, we will challenge the students to look at their choices and actions and to take personal responsibility for their education, relationships, future and the world around them.

Click here for tour dates.