Monday, May 3, 2010

The flying butterfly

There once was a young girl who was nearing the end of high school and like most high school students she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her future but she was sure of one thing she wanted to go to college

One month before her graduation from high school the young girl had a meeting with her parents and teachers to discuss her future. At the meeting a lot of things were discussed but then something was said by one of the teachers that would make a profound impact on this young girls life. She said I think based on the fact that you have multiple disabilities you are asking too much of yourself and I think even going to community college would be to hard for you.

The young girl was devastated she didn’t know what to do. For weeks she was beside herself. Then one day in between sobs, she said to her mother and friend “I’m going to do it anyway, I’m going to college.” Now almost five years later, the young girl is now a young adult and will be completing her human services degree at Oakton Community College and in the fall plans to go to Northeastern Illinois University to get a major in communications and a minor in social work. Yes, that young girl is me, I’m not writing this to brag about my accomplishments, more to encourage my readers to never stop giving up or as they say in the song “Don’t stop believin’.” Yes, I needed help along the way from my parents, teachers, tutors and my aides, but who doesn’t? I would like to remind you of a character I was reminded of when I heard a speech this past weekend at a conference I went to as I was completing my internship. The character was the little engine that could. I was able to complete my schoolwork with the help of others, but also on the mere fact that I kept repeating to myself, I think I can, I think I can. What ever challenges come our way in life it is our responsibility to keep on going just like the little engine that could. Also, as I was going through the library of which I visit often, the experience of starting something new came in my mind, I was reminded of the book the very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle. Though the book is very simple, it talks about how a caterpillar grew and grew into a beautiful butterfly. That’s how I feel thanks to all the people that believe in me and see beyond my disabilities. I could dwell on the fact that my teacher was negative but instead I’m choosing to focus on the positive parts of my life and use that negativity to motivate me to grow and develop into the person I want to be.
Thanks to all of you that support me and believe in me and have helped me to grow and develop into the beautiful butterfly. Finally last year I closed my school year with some goals I had for the next year. Here are my goals for this year…

1 Get good grades

2 Join a club, sorority or community group at NEIU
3 Practice with dragon naturally speaking

4 Have fun!

I would like to end my post with the lyrics from the song “Don’t stop belivin’” I really feel that it sums my story up in a nutshell.

Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world

She took the midnight train goin' anywhere

Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit

He took the midnight train goin' anywhere

A singer in a smokey room

A smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Streetlights people, living just to find emotion

Hiding, somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill,

everybody wants a thrill

Payin' anything to roll the dice,

just one more time

Some will win, some will lose

Some were born to sing the blues

Oh, the movie never ends

It goes on and on and on and on

(chorus)

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to the feelin'

Streetlight people

Love your butterfly!

Jessi