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"Rosalio's Dream"

Rosalio, 17 years old, Oakland, California,
Biographical materials

Picture Details

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Watercolor by Julie Cohn

This painting, "Rosalio's Dream" is Julie Cohn's interpretation of feelings arising from an interview with Rosalio. The accompanying text, written by Rosalio, represents some of his feelings about his life and disability.

Journey Through Disability

I was born normal, but when I was a year and a half my mom found out that I couldn't move as well as the other babies. She took me to the doctor. That's when my mom found out that I had Muscular Dystrophy. My mom was sad about what I had; she would cry and feel bad. The doctors thought that I also had a minor retardation problem, so I went to a special school, Ralph Bunche in Oakland. I learned very little in that school, only how to eat properly. My mom knew that I wasn't learning because in my sister's school the teacher would teach students how to count numbers and how to use some simple math concepts. Not until somebody told my mom to get me out of that school did my mom take me to a regular school, Lazear Elementary, where I was supposed to be in second grade. But they held me one year behind because I didn't know how to read, write or subtract numbers.

After six years I graduated from sixth grade at Lazear Elementary, where I had to say goodbye to all of my friends. I also learned that I have to find friends all the time, and that is part of growing up. When I got to my new school, Westlake Jr. High, I was scared because I knew nobody in that school and I didn't want them to know that I was disabled. I used to get mad about being disabled, even now.

I started to apply myself and improve my schoolwork and improve until I made it to a 4.0 average. When I learned more about my disability was when I went to summer camp this year where I met a lot of disabled people with the same disability. I found out that all disabled people act like regular teenagers, and have the same tastes, only with a disability.

- by Rosalio

Painting Sequence

Rosalio's wish is to move from his current home (upper left) into his dream home (upper right). Attractive and practical features Rosalio has chosen for himself and others who use a wheelchair are represented below:

• Automatic front doors
• Easy access to irrigation hoses for front lawn
• Appliances in kitchen built low to the ground
• Lift for bathroom facilities
• Wheelchair accessible shower having no ledge at entrance
• Beautiful hardwood floors with no rugs
• Ample space
• Adjustable desk in living room for any wheelchair height
• Indoor pool with easy access ramp

The Athlete, Rosalio:

I met Rosalio at the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley. He was very interested in discussing his life with me. Although he was born with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease affecting muscle control, the signs of his disease only became apparent when he was six years old. While he was walking, his legs would collapse on him without warning, causing him to fall on the sidewalk or street. He had to start using a walker at first, but by the age of twelve his muscles had degenerated to the point where he needed to use a wheelchair often. From the age of thirteen to the present, Rosalio has relied on his motorized wheelchair for getting around.

Rosalio was teased by children when he was growing up. He believes that might have not been the case if children at his school had been fortunate enough to meet people who had various disabilities. His idea is to invite people with varying disabilities to an elementary school once a week or once a month to share their lives with the children. That way children growing up now will have more understanding of the real lives that people with disabilities lead. Even now, while attending a high school that is for the most part supportive and sensitive to his needs, Rosalio occasionally runs into people who tease him because of their own insecurities.

When Rosalio was in elementary school and middle school, his life was much different from his life after he switched to Skyline High School. Up until he switched during the tenth grade, the schools paid little attention to his needs. The bathrooms didn't accommodate someone who used a wheelchair, and the teachers wouldn't let him play any sports at school. Rosalio became very depressed.

At Skyline, however, Rosalio's spirit picked up. He participated in t-ball, using a Velcro mitt and soft Nerf ball so he wouldn't risk getting hurt. He also took up piano. Although the muscles in his arms are weak, he can reach the keys by leaning forward, and he plays fairly well. His interest in art and the support from his school has influenced his desire to know more about architecture. He wishes that architects would design living spaces perfectly suited to people with disabilities. This way, he would be able to visit his friends whose houses are not accessible.

In general, Rosalio has a happy life. Art and dance are his loves. He draws almost every day and dances by spinning his wheelchair or by moving to music while in the swimming pool. Often he goes to the mall with his friends where he sees movies and socializes.

To set Rosalio's dream house in motion, I took a lesson in axiometric perspective. This type of planning allows the viewer to take a bird's eye view into the house. I have included in this drawing all of the elements that Rosalio feels would make a home ideal for him and his friends who have disabilities.

The home where he lives now has only a few of the features he wants to give his ideal home, yet he is, above all, appreciative of his family's love and support. If this dream ever does come true, he will share this joy first and foremost with his family, who is with him all the way. Let's hope that one day this dream house will be where Rosalio lives.

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