Born with cerebral palsy, she has risen above challenges all her life and inspired countless people; friends, family, even total strangers along the way.

On this episode of the Supercast, we invite you to listen closely as Oquirrh Hills Middle School Para-Educator Aubrey Allen talks about earning a bachelor's and master’s degree in recreational therapy, leading her to a career in the classroom and as a Unified Sports coach. Amber doesn’t let her disorder, which impacts movement, muscle tone, and speech, get in the way of making her dreams come true, and in the process, supporting others with special needs around her.

Listen to Aubrey’s powerful message, watch on YouTube or read along with subtitles in the transcript below.

Audio Transcription

Kathy Taylor:
Aubrey is amazing. She is helping us with warm-ups. She's helping us design activities to do during our practice time, but not just for sports, because she helps with academics.

Aubrey Allen:
Students are the best part of my job.

Anthony Godfrey:
The students are always the best part of our job.

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Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. Born with cerebral palsy, she has risen above challenges all her life and inspired countless people, friends, family, and even total strangers along the way. On this episode of the Supercast, we invite you to listen closely as Oquirrh Hills Middle School para-educator, Aubrey Allen, talks about earning a bachelor's and master's degree in recreational therapy, leading her to a career as a classroom aide and as a Unified Sports coach. Aubrey doesn't let her disorder, which impacts movement, muscle tone, and speech, get in the way of making her dreams come true and, in the process, supporting others with special needs around her. You won't want to miss Aubrey's powerful message. Subtitles and a transcript for this podcast are available on our website.

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Anthony Godfrey:
We are here at Oquirrh Hills Middle School talking with Aubrey Allen. Aubrey, thank you for taking time to talk with us.

Aubrey Allen:
Thank you so much. I'm excited.

Anthony Godfrey:
I'm really happy to meet you and talk with you. I think I've met you before, but it's been a little while since we've talked.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about your job here at Oquirrh Hills Middle School.

Aubrey Allen:
I am a para-educator and one of our special educators. I'm here at Oquirrh Hills, and I love it.

Anthony Godfrey:
You love being the aide here in the class, the para-professional.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah. Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
What do you love most about this job?

Aubrey Allen:
I love being able to work with and support the kids. The students are definitely the best part of my job.

Anthony Godfrey:
The students are always the best part of our jobs.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
That's wonderful. Who's your favorite student? I'm just kidding. I'm not making you say or answer that question. Now you are a highly qualified individual. Tell me about your degrees and the work that you do outside of Oquirrh Hills.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah, though I have a bachelor's degree in math, my master’s degree is recreational therapy, and now I'm a certified recreational therapist. I also manage a nonprofit called Adaptive Arena, and we offer free adaptive sports and activities for people of all abilities. I love working there, too.

Anthony Godfrey:
Now I understand that you also are an advocate for those with disabilities on social media.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah, yeah. I started a social media platform for the video about my day-to-day life just to try to make others aware of what life can be like having a disability.

Anthony Godfrey:
For those listening, tell them about your disability.

Aubrey Allen:
I have cerebral palsy, and I have a moderate case of it. It affects the way I talk. The end is just how my body moves and how my muscles work.

Anthony Godfrey:
I've heard you're a big inspiration to those around you here at the school. What do you think about that?

Aubrey Allen:
I just try to be positive and uplift everyone. I think having my disability has given me a lot of pushback. There are a lot of things in life that are challenging for everyone, and you can either let them know who you are or try your best to write about your challenges and just be happy and positive.

Anthony Godfrey:
You're a great example of rising above your challenges, and I'm sure that your students really look to you for that positivity. I've only met you a couple of times, but you've been extremely positive. You light up, you're so friendly both times, and you really stand out that way. So I appreciate the positivity and the positivity you're bringing into the lives of the students and the people you work with.

Aubrey Allen:
That means so much to me. I really do try my best to overcome my challenges.

Anthony Godfrey:
So tell me more about what happens at the Adaptive Arena.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah, it's more like a rec center for people with disabilities. We offer different activities. We have a cheer program and a wheelchair basketball program, and the cool thing about us is we let everyone play. So if somebody in a wheelchair has a brother who is not in a wheelchair, we put the brother in a wheelchair, too, and now they can play wheelchair basketball, or whatever together, and families really like that because typically kids with disabilities can't play on the same team as their siblings otherwise. So I just love that we can do well with different types of families and kids with all different abilities.

Anthony Godfrey:
So it really is inclusive. Anyone can participate.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah. Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
And if you are playing with others who are in a wheelchair and you don't need a wheelchair, you're going to get a wheelchair.

Aubrey Allen:
Yes, yes.

Anthony Godfrey:
That seems fair. Now what is your favorite sport? I won't make you tell me who your favorite student is, but what's your favorite sport?

Aubrey Allen:
I think my favorite is wheelchair basketball because everyone gets so into it.

Anthony Godfrey:
Yeah, it's fast-paced.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah, we do wheelchair basketball every Saturday morning, and we just have a blast.

Anthony Godfrey:
So it's your favorite and everyone else’s also.

[music]

Anthony Godfrey:
Stay with us when we come back. More with Aubrey Allen and her colleagues.

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Male Voice:
Never miss an episode of the Supercast by liking and subscribing on your favorite podcasting platform. Find transcripts for this episode and others at supercast.jordandistrict.org.

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Female Voice:
They are out on the job in the rain, sleet, snow, ice, and in the sunshine, as Jordan School District students navigate their way to and from school every day. We are truly grateful for our city crossing guards, always vigilant and looking out for students to ensure everyone's safety. Because they work so hard protecting our kids, let's give those crossing guards a hand. If you're driving near or around schools, slow down, pay attention, watch for students and staff, and follow instructions from the school crossing guards and know our cities are always looking to hire crossing guards. If you like kids and need some flexible hours, contact your local city and apply to be a crossing guard today. Together, let's make this a safe and successful school year.

Anthony Godfrey:
What advice do you have for folks about how to make sure that people with disabilities in their lives feel included and noticed and a part of things?

Aubrey Allen:
Yes, that’s a great question. I remember when I was growing up and it was so easy to feel invisible because I had a disability. The people that stood out to me the most and that had the most impact on my life are the people who treated me like they were just anybody else and not only that, but they were comfortable talking to me and asking what I needed and if they should be aware of anything. So I think that is very important. Individual people do know that people with disabilities, they often times know they just want to be treated and included like everyone else.

Anthony Godfrey:
I love that. Just treat them like you treat everyone else. And I love that you said the people that have had an impact on your life are the ones who said, "How can I help you?" And just treated you like everyone else, asked you questions, and talked with you.

Aubrey Allen:
Yeah.

Anthony Godfrey:
Let's talk with some of the folks that you work with. Introduce yourself.

Kathy Taylor:
Hi, I'm Kathy Taylor and I am the teacher of the classroom that Aubrey is working in right now and we love Aubrey. She brings so much to our class.

Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me what it's like getting to work with Aubrey day in and day out.

Kathy Taylor:
Well, she's always positive.

Anthony Godfrey:
That's obvious. That’s obvious.

Episode 337: Teaching Assistant Born with Cerebral Palsy Is Incredible Inspiration in Classroom and Beyond