My name is Jodie Ryan and I am a parent of a young adult with a developmental disability. I enjoy nature photography, reading, and watercolor painting. I am also a member of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC). I was drawn to serve on the council because of my experience with my daughter, and also because I want to affect change in Colorado for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
I am married with two daughters and my husband is retired Air Force. We decided to settle in Colorado Springs in 2017. We love living with a view of Pikes Peak and have embraced Colorado and our community. One way that we have done so is by our eldest daughter, Delaney, participating in community involvement through karate. She participates in private and group lessons weekly in a fully inclusive karate dojo. Her activities include practicing for belt tests, learning to wield a bo staff, and engaging in sparring with teen peers during group class. In the 2 ½ years that she has been involved in martial arts, we have seen her blossom. She has improved her physical strength, balance, memorization skills, and self-confidence. Karate with neurotypical peers has acted as “physical therapy” in her young adulthood, with a large dose of socialization. The responsibilities and expectations place on her by her senseis and peers are the same as any other member of the dojo, but everyone has embraced Delaney’s unique learning style and they are flexible in how to engage her and help her to meet her potential.
Delaney says that she likes karate because, “I get to hang out with my friends and because I am good at karate.” She is so proud of herself that she has achieved three additional ranks since beginning her training (white, yellow, orange and now purple belts). She started with the bo staff about a year ago and has really taken to the rhythm of the weapon. All of the senseis have very high expectations and push her to do her best. She looks forward to the classes each week and has a spark in her eye when speaking of her karate accomplishments.
Delaney is one example of how community participation can positively affect and engage a young adult with a developmental disability. Through organizations such as the CDDC, I hope that opportunities like the one that Delaney regularly engages in are more available and embraced by all those with I/DD in Colorado. Community engagement and inclusion are, in my opinion, essential to all to create meaningful participation to the I/DD community and their neurotypical family, friends, and the public as a whole.