First Daughter

Chapter 1
from the First Daughter’s Manual

You lose your sanity
First Step
Then blame whoever is in charge of the situation
That your needs aren’t being met

If that’s not available
Escape to your lovely bedroom and
Make something happen for yourself

And tell your Case Manager
That you’re not willing to sacrifice
Your sanity
And suggest a new living situation

And drink tequila
In the kitchen
If you have to

Say, “I’m not a role model for little girls”
Hang out with the boys because that’s better
Than having to babysit all night

Plus it shows you
You can beat them at their own game

-by ABH

Everything Backwards

First of all
Do everything backwards
Put the clothes in the dishwasher, and
Stick your foot in the refrigerator, and
Turn faucet on backwards
(use your bottom)
Unplug the TV, and
Plug it back in 5 minutes later
Skateboard through the living room
Use the TV as a ramp
It will piss you off if you don’t sleep with your clothes on, and
Make the bed
Toss your shoes so you won’t find the remote
Put the dishes in the washing machine.

by ABH

Babies

Baby puke
Reminds me of
Why I’m not ever prepared
To be an aunt

Kids will throw up on you
If you’re not careful

Yesterday
I was sitting there with my little nephew
And I almost got puked on
He had a bubble in his mouth
And he was feeling a little gassy

In Little Rock Arkansas
They give kids Coke straight
Well that’s what you do when the kid’s gassy

I just sat there and took the fact
That I was an aunt
Then I realized
“Oops, I better not”
I think I better escape home
While I’m an adult

-ABH

Metaphors

I hope I wind up
Being saved
Somehow
I think
I’ll save myself
No Christians No
Of course I feel guilty
Well, I’m not going there
To feeling guilt
Not to repent
Please!

by -ABH

Why?

I paint eyes, trees, and a house
I paint art out of my head
I have an itch to paint
I paint heads
I have an itch of an itch
Paint on my head
Paint a piece of cake
Paint on my face
Ain’t no it not
Paint on my face
Paint a man
Paint a Ben
Paint Jamie
Paint Lisa
Paint John
Paint Ryan & Liz
Paint Iris
I paint trees and eyes by my house
Paint Deb
I paint Mario
I paint Mom
I’m not you, Man!

-by Pablo Rahner

Girl does good for herself

I was living in Eugene, Oregon for 14 years, where I think I found my purpose. The seed was planted when I was just turning 16. The seed was the self advocacy movement planted by my mom. She was a former social worker. She thought people like me needed services. She made me aware that I need to stand up for myself, and without People’s First of California, I don’t think I’d have a purpose. I hope people think before they open their mouth – like about the “R” word being used in lockers rooms and stuff. It should not be fashionable, but it is. They should see that a disabled child and family member is a gift.

by -ABH

Studio Follies

TO THE TOON OF….

THE ART SLAM TRIP by Jaimal Kordes

Art Slam was exciting. There was a lot of art to see. I was so excited about a church that was made of glass and scraps.  It inspired me to make art out of stuff that people throw away.
I hope that next year, we will have more time to spend as a group.

THE ROSSES by Kelly Stanberry

There were The Rosses.  They were related to Frances, Hazel and Myrtle.  That’s the same last name those three have.  The Rosses are: the mom Terry, the dad Herbert and their four kids Stephanie, Ethan, Jared and Cassie.
One day, Herbert asked his kids if they wanted to visit their grandparents.  “Yes,” the four of them responded all at once.
The grandparents decided to give their granddaughters and grandsons cookies.  “Thanks!” the four of them said.
Then they went in Myrtle’s bedroom and watched The Cosby Show.  Frances went out shopping while the rest were watching The Cosby show.  It was a marathon.
Herbert picked them up at 7:30 that night.  “How did you like it there today?” he asked.  “We liked it,” they all said at the same time.  “We got to watch The Cosby Show.”