25th Disability Awareness Event Deemed Success by Kyle Piiwaa - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ JUNE ►
S M T W T F S
31 01 02 03 04 05 06
07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

25th Disability Awareness Event Deemed Success

By Kyle Piiwaa, Community Writer
April 23, 2014 at 02:42pm. Views: 42

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) recently hosted their 25th Annual Disability Awareness Event; an opportunity for visitors to become aware about disability issues, and for vendors to show the various resources available to those with disabilities. The highlight of the event, however, was speaker Jonathan Mooney, a man who grew up with dyslexia and ADHD and overcame the difficulties and social stigmas that came with them. Mooney, a published author, spoke about his personal experiences as he conveyed his experiences on what is called "disability", pointing out that normalcy is a perspective and that many are “struggling against this myth that there is this mind we should have, that there is this body we should have.” In other words, disability is merely a term to describe those who do not fit in with the current social view of what it is to be normal, both physically and mentally. Mooney also shared his view on what to define as intelligence, a major factor in mental disability. According to him, “intelligence comes in many forms.” Empathy could be a form of intelligence, as would any particular ability a person is good at, and as a society he felt that “we need to recognize and celebrate” such intelligence. At one point Mooney took a few questions from the audience and when asked about his interests in sports, he talked about how “sports were a haven for me.” He went on talk about how schools treated them as a kind of privilege that can be taken away, something Mooney did not agree with. “Everyone has a right to that” was his view on extracurricular sports. After all, even if someone is called “mentally disabled” it does not mean that they cannot play a sport. Mooney also had advice for his audience: “Never give up on something.” Whether you’re what society deems “normal” or not, do not quit, especially on something you’re truly passionate about. When the event ended, Eric Rodgers talked about his own thoughts. He enjoyed listening to Mooney speak and revealed that he even follows Mooney on YouTube. He found much of what Mooney said to be meaningful. Brianna Sone, another attendant of the event, had this to say: “Everybody gets something different” out of the experience. A fair and accurate statement, as indeed no individual is the same. Everyone who came and heard Mooney speak, whether "able-bodied" or “disabled” took something with them when they stepped out of the room that day.

Related Articles

Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Honored with National Quality Award
Photo Courtesy of: Totally Kids Rehabilitation

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 26, 2026 at 07:56am. Views: 483

Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s pediatric subacute program has become the only program
of its kind in California to earn the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award from the American
Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living

Highland GLO MedSpa Celebrates Grand Opening, Bringing Advanced Medical Aesthetics to the Highland Community
Photo Courtesy of: Highland Glo MedSpa

By Highland Glo MedSpa, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 590

Claudia Torres, Aesthetics Consultant, Mairah Angulo, Aesthetics Consultant, Jill Ali, FNP-C (Provider), Dr. Namita Mohideen, MD, CEO, Dr. Kelly Jeu, MD, Provider, Dr. Jose Arciniega, DO, Provider, Ilsse Castillo, Office Manager, Alexia Sanchez, Office Manager

The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California Proves Its Relevance in a Changing America
Photo Courtesy of: The Civil Rights Institute

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 705

Photo caption: The Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors and the community celebrate the Woman of Achievement Awardee. Photo L to R: Ken Gutierrez, The Civil Rights Institute Board Member; Kathy Wright, Community Leader; Sabrina Gonzalez, Civil Rights Institute Executive Director; Launa Wilson, The Civil Rights Institute Board President; Q'Vinc Asberry, The Civil Rights Institute Board Member; Irma Asberry, Community Leader/Retired Judge, Superior Court of Riverside County.

Turning Grades into Goals: San Bernardino Students Honored for Academic Triumphs
Photo Courtesy of: Chris Sloan

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 548

Valdez Educational Services President Aaron Valdez, SBCUSD ETSA Wil Greer, Ionatauna Asu, Student, Equity guest teacher Fernando Tanioka, then Equity Counselor Francine Blacksher, celebrate Asu’s achievement, taking his grades from a low F to a high A, at An Evening of Excellence.

Colton Chamber of Commerce New president

Photo Courtesy of: Christina Gaitan

By Chamber Inducted new President , Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 603

left to right -Nelky Rodriguez ( secretary) - Arnise Dejohnette ( board member)- Anna Juarez (board member) David Toro (Council member) Belen Cordero(Board member) - Javier Gomez (treasurer) City Manager -Mayor Frank Navarro- Brian Childstrom (Emeritus) Christina Gaitan (Coordinator) Shelley Burnach ( Vice President ) Lesley Stevens ( Board member) Frank Aguliar (president ) Matthew Hernandez (board member) Councilman Dr. G - Chief Vega Colton Police Department .

Pet of the Week: Goose
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 450

Goose. He is a one-year-old, male brown Shepherd mix. He's full of personality and even knows how to stand on two legs and shake hands, which is sure to impress everyone he meets!

Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom
Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 476

Celebrate the Fourth of July Celebration at the City of Moreno Valley’s Civic Center Amphitheater on Saturday, July 4, 2026!

First 5 Riverside County and Supervisor Gutierrez Celebrate New Child Care Classrooms in Moreno Valley
Photo Courtesy of: County of Riverside

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 521

Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez joins Jan Peterson and First 5 Riverside County leadership for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony

SPARK Youth Employment Program

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 521

Representatives from San Bernardino County's SPARK Youth Employment Program engage with students and community members during an outreach event designed to connect young adults with job training, career exploration, and workforce development opportunities.

Traffic Delays For Mt Vernon Avenue Improvements
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI Generated Image

By William Cortez, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 498

Cars and busses stuck in a massive traffic jam.

3 Tips for Surviving Pothole Season
Photo Courtesy of: BPT

By Graham Holt, Community Writer

June 24, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 344

Road damage can take a toll on tires and suspension, especially after heavy rain and winter wear.

Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino Names New Hospital President
Photo Courtesy of: Dignity Health

By Wiliam Cortez, Community Writer

June 22, 2026 at 03:14pm. Views: 950

Anthony Coleman, DHA, has been named the new Hospital President for Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino, effective Monday, June 29th.

--> -->