Printed in the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Loving Your Body
Carrie Barrepski

For many years, I went through periods of body shaming, from feeling fat to hiding the hump in my back to comparing myself with others. This often left me feeling unworthy, ugly and depressed.
In our society, we often find ourselves comparing ourselves with others in social media and media outlets where we often have unrealistic expectations for ourselves, such as having the perfect figure. Over time, I have learned to accept my unique beauty with flaws and all through the power of positive thinking and affirmations.
There are four steps in stopping the self-hate game with ourselves. The first step is to focus on your health and feeling well. I have accomplished this by getting rid of the weight scale. I am no longer defining myself by a number. Instead, I am focusing on fueling my body with healthy and clean eating. I also use yoga and fitness to exercise and energize my mind and body.
The second step is to treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love. Why would you insult yourself when you would never insult anyone that you love and adore? This is something that I work on daily.
The third step is to always stay positive in all areas of your life, allowing positive energy to flow through you. More importantly, be grateful for what you have in your life.
The last step is to begin loving yourself from the start of the day by releasing all negativity. Treat your mind and body as a temple.

Published the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Living Your Best Life
Carrie Barrepski

Many people have assumptions about having a disability. Many non-disabled people believe that a disability defines the other person and stops them from living out their dreams. A young lady named Chelsea Werner from California was born with Down Syndrome, a chromosomal defect that delays physiological and intellectual development.
At a young age, she was introduced to gymnastics to help her develop strong muscles since a common side effect of Down Syndrome is low muscle strength and tone.
Chelsea went on to win four Olympic championships in gymnastics at the Special Olympics. Chelsea believes that she has gained confidence and resiliency from the gymnastics.
We Speak is an international fashion agency that encourages people to love their body and accept who they are. The agency discovered Chelsea on social media in 2007, and was inspired by her story. The agency believed that Chelsea could excel in the fashion world while being a role model for others. Chelsea is hopeful that her modeling experience will inspire others since “everyone is beautiful in their own way.”
I have always felt that my disabilities are characteristics that help me build strength and compassion while empowering me to help others through my life experiences.

Printed in the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Government Shutdown
Carrie Barrepski

Since the government shutdown started, it has affected millions of people, from those working without a paycheck to cutbacks in different programs that are affecting peoples’ everyday lives. Many of them have been without work and are trying to find different ways to get bills paid.
This is the longest government shutdown in history. It is affecting people with disabilities, from working in a federal workshop, living in subsidized housing or receiving food stamps. However, primary federal agencies are able to still serve people with disabilities, such as the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the US Department of Education.
Federal data shows that as of 2016, 14% of the federal government workforce has a disability. At this time, 800,000 federal workers are either furloughed or have been working without pay since December 22.
There are concerns that many individuals with disabilities may have to pay for medication, equipment and staff out of pocket. Many programs that help people in need have been affected, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development that help people rebuild or subsidize living costs. Another concern is that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may run out of funds in February. It is known that one quarter of food stamp recipients are disabled. Another area of concern is a lack of staffing for people with disabilities who need daily support.
Now is the time for the country to come together and help and support all citizens of our country in their daily living needs.

Printed in the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Invisible Disabilities
Carrie Barrepski

Recently, I read a news article about a woman who parked in a handicapped spot at a Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania. After returning to her car, she found a scratches on her hood and a defamatory note that said, “You are not disabled.” But in reality, the woman struggles with Parkinson’s disease.
The story was shared on Facebook, with both positive and negative comments. The post was shared over 7,000 times, with people’s kindness and own stories shining through. The police are treating this as an act of vandalism and are currently investigating.
This reminds me of the famous saying not to judge a book by its cover, meaning that people often make an assumption without getting all of the facts. Invisible disabilities are conditions that are not immediately apparent. Some examples are people with visual and hearing loss who wear contacts or small hearing aids. Invisible disabilities are also chronic illnesses and conditions that can affect daily living. 96% of people with chronic medical conditions do not any visible of their illness or condition.
Unfortunately, many people see individuals with invisible disabilities as lazy and weak. Just like having any other disability, there is a lack of understanding and discrimination. Just like any other disability, they may also suffer from low self-esteem, loneliness and depression.
Invisible disabilities affect 10% of people with medical conditions and are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Everyone has his or her own story and struggles that should be respected by everyone.

Printed in the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Labeling
Carrie Barrepski

A high school in Arizona has issued ID badges for students to wear around their necks. But some students are also being required to wear red badges that reflect low grades.
Students have been experiencing bullying, public ridicule and shame. Many of these students are referred to as stupid or problem kids because of the badge. Many often receive less instruction from teachers because they give the impression that they are unteachable. Learning disabilities, along with others, can be a cause of a student not attaining higher grades. These badges can cause a lot of anxiety in the students’ lives.
The American Civil Liberties Union has said that the badges violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, (FERPA) a federal law that protects a student’s privacy. The ACLU also states that the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that guarantee equality were also violated.
The school claims that its actions are law abiding because the FERPA allows the release of directory information, unless opted out by the student’s family.
Labeling is one of the main causes of stereotyping. It allows misconceptions to be assigned without knowing the whole story. Instead, the school should be empowering students to embrace their differences and not compare with one another. We all have our own unique characteristics and strengths that empower us to overcome any obstacle.

Printed in the Republican 2019

Carrie Writes
Overcoming Obstacles
Carrie Barrepski

A famous astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, was giving a speech when a girl in the audience approached the microphone and asked if there were people with dyslexia in his field.
Tyson replied that there were colleagues and scientists with several different types of learning disabilities in his field. He explained that disabilities are not a hindrance, but rather are empowering. Part of his response was “the answer is yes, but it’s a hurdle. But in the Olympics, what do you do when you come to a hurdle? You jump over it.”
When many encounter an obstacle, such as a disability, they succeed because they learn about their condition and the best way to compensate for their disability. The idea is to understand the disability before overcoming the obstacle.
There are several ways disabled individuals can overcome obstacles. The first one is to never give up. The idea is to keep on researching until you find the best solution. The second one is to never compare yourself to others. We are all unique people with our own abilities and skills to succeed. Third, they need to have a positive attitude about life because their energy will empower them to move forward to new goals.
You should always look at any situation as a learning experience about how we can improve. It is also important to set realistic goals while celebrating the small victories.

Printed in the Republican in January 2019

Carrie Writes
Manifesting
Carrie Barrepski

It is that time of year to put the past behind us and look forward to the New Year. It is as if we have a blank piece of paper to recreate our goals in the New Year.
I have always enjoyed creating new goals and resolutions for myself. The goal is to put yourself in a positive mindset. Having this positive energy is the best way to get results.
Manifesting is way of positive thinking to receive support and guidance from the universe. The first step is to clear negative emotions from your mind. This can be completed with a daily prayer of asking the universe to set you free of mental blocks that are keeping you from your dreams, such as self-doubt, fear and anxiety.
The second and third steps are to be clear about your intentions, making a list of your desires. While sitting in meditation, visualize your desires in life. The third step is to conceptualize what you think and feel, believing that your desires will happen.
The fourth step is to be patient with the process, while the final step is to have faith in the universe. This is where your positive thinking and positive energy will flow.
I use manifesting in my mediation every day to keep my positive energy flowing, while keeping my focus on my goals, such as my yoga practice, my column and writing my first book.

Published in the Republican December 2018

Carrie Barrepski

Carrie Writes

Meditation

Carrie Barrepski

The holidays can often leave us feeling exhausted, unfocused and unbalanced due to stress and the craziness of the holidays. This is the time to reflect on the past year while looking forward to the New Year.

Meditation can help us refocus and anchor ourselves. There are many ways to refocus the mind during meditation. The first one, and my favorite, is breathing. Taking deep breaths while counting the breaths can anchor your mind. Deep breathing is a natural cure for stress and relaxation.

The second one that I use frequently is mantra meditation, where you use the phrase, “I am” followed by an adjective, such as strong and healthy. This practice helps to reinforce a positive belief system.

The third method is to use sound meditation while focusing on different sounds surrounding you. The last one is to note the sensations within your body during meditation. Both of these methods can help increase mindfulness.

Meditation can be done anywhere for any amount of time. It can be easily adapted to your lifestyle. Meditation should be a loving and peaceful process that brings you peace of mind.

I prefer to meditate every morning upon awakening. It helps me start my day off on the right foot. My mediation practice is a combination of spirituality and relaxation.

Published in the republican 2018

Carrie Writes
The Grinch
Carrie Barrepski

Last month, my husband and I went to see The Grinch movie in West Springfield. The movie was in 3D and was based on the Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
The movie is about a town celebrating Christmas viewed by an outcast who does not understand Christmas. The story tells how the Grinch tried to steal Christmas from decorations to gifts. In the end, the Grinch learns the true meaning of Christmas, of a community coming together to celebrate life.
There are six lessons that can be learned from the Grinch movie. The first one is to care more for people than material items. It is the time and thought of the gift, not the value that counts. The second lesson is to show compassion and empathy to all people because everybody’s situation is unique and different. The next lesson is to respect one another’s culture and traditions. Fourth, we should share the joy of life and focus on the positive aspects while not dwelling on problems. The fifth lesson is to view humanity through the eyes of a child by remembering the good things. Lastly, we should remember to welcome and respect others regardless of their differences.
My wish is for all of my readers to have a peaceful holiday filled with love and joy.

Printed in the Republican 2018

Carrie Writes
Expressive Writing

For people with disabilities, life can be filled with frustration, anger and disappointment. There are many healthy methods to deal with these emotions
and release them. Some of these ways are drawing, playing sports, exercising and meditation.
One excellent tool is called expressive writing.
Expressive writing is a form of therapy that involves
writing about one’s feelings and thoughts about a
particular topic. It is usually done continuously for
fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, where you just jot whatever comes to your mind.
Expressive writing has been proven to improve
your immune system since you are releasing your
negative energy. It can also improve lung function and decrease headaches by returning to a peaceful state. More importantly, it reduces everyday stress and anxiety.
Expressive writing works well when you write about what’s upsetting you and helps you explore your feelings. It can be done privately, something that you do not need to share.
As a writer, I have always written from my heart. It is a way to use my voice in a positive way to help and inspire others. I have always written my feelings and thoughts to help me find my way through my journey. It is my passion and purpose.