Becki Forsell and County Commission Kevin Beckner at the F.A.I.R.
Our Story:
My name is Becki with an I, and I want to tell you a story. It is about how we can take the toughest challenges that life throws at us, and make them victories of strength and courage.
On October 16th 1996 I went from being sighted to being legally blind. Becoming a person living with a disability late in life was tough. I had to relearn so much, like how to walk, get around my house without falling, even how to get food from the refrigerator. I also had to decide if I was going to re-focus my life and define myself as Becki with an I, or just give up my identity and define myself as a person without the full use of my eyes. I am happy to say that I choose to take the lemons I was served up by life, toss in a bit of my life seasoning, and make lemonade to share with those around me.
That journey of self-discovery taught me that we are not defined by our body’s limitations, but by our aspirations and dreams. In my community I found others like me who wanted to be recognized for our abilities. So in 2002 we formed a new nonprofit called YES! of America United. Our motto was to offer “A Hand up, not a Hand Out” for ourselves and those like us in living in Tampa Bay.
Since then we have grown into a community outreach organization promoting inclusion and disability awareness. At YES! we are constantly engaging our larger community, educating them that persons living with disabilities need to be seen for the abilities we have to offer. We share how accommodations of a cane, a wheelchair, and transportation are simply the means by which we are able to fully participate in the community. These accommodations allow us to volunteer, work, pay taxes, pursue an education, and engage in activities.
At YES! we understand that all people need to be needed, and that principle guides us as we reach out to our peers with outreach, encouragement, and engagement. We give them a reason to get out of bed, a purpose in their lives, and an opportunity to think about someone else and not only their own issues.
This
year we celebrate our 4th Annual F.A.I.R - Family Abilities
Information Rally. At the F.A.I.R. we bring together families,
individuals, governmental agencies, local businesses, community non-profits,
micro enterprises, and legislators, to provide a fun and informative place of
inclusion where everyone can gather to learn and interact. It is a day of adaptive sports demos,
games, dancers, singers, face painters, a magician, balloon maker, fire truck,
petting zoo, bounce house, bloodmobile and more. We have a Mystery Motorcycle
Ride, speakers, free books, raffles, Para Olympians, Miss Wheelchair Florida,
doctors and over 75 informational booths.
Please join us at the F.A.I.R on Saturday October 1, 2011 from 10am-3pm at All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa FL, 33617.
