The Visitor

I couldn’t let this month go buy without talking about my visitor. She is way more then a visitor. She is like a big sister to me. We don’t get to see each other that often because she lives in Champaign but when we are together it is like no time has passed.
We laughed until our stomachs hurt and ate lots of junk food. My assistants were really good about making sure both Paula and I had a weekend to remember. They were fantastic about helping both of us when we needed it as well as giving us private time together and that means the world to me.
Over the weekend we went to Comedy Sportz and the body exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. We had a blast at both of these places but we both agreed by the end of the weekend that we would have had fun wherever we went. This was the second year that Paula came to visit me and we can’t wait until next year.
Missing you already,
-Jessi

March on for Michael

I can't believe that as of September 1, 2011 I have been living in the purple pad for three years! When I told my assistant Mina this she said "Easy to say, but hard to accomplish." She couldn't have been more right. I often talk to my friends that also have assistants and we say having an assistant is like having a full time job, but well worth it. There is one person that won't be able to share in this milestone with me in his physical form, but I know he is still there for me. He helped me through the first two years of living on my own and I am so proud to have known such a wise and inspirational person. That is Michael. However, I know he would want me to remember the good times rather than dwell on him not being here. So therefore I'm marching on for him. Since this post is the "Anniversary Post" I have decided to break it up into three parts, Life at the Purple Pad, Work and Play.

Life at the Purple Pad...

This past week has been a bit crazy, thank you to Rebecca, Brenda and my parents for pitching in at the last minute. Though it's been like a game of hot potato with me, I've come to realize that it comes with the territory. Unfortunately it won't end until Tuesday night. I'm happy to say everyone is o.k. now. I often tell my parents for the most part as long as I have a roof over my head and something to eat I don't care where I sleep. Even though everyone wants to be in their own home Teddyhas become very aggressive over the past few weeks, we've been doing some serious training with him. I think he's in his terrible two's, if there is such a thing for dogs. Oh yeah, he's not even one yet! Right now I like my assistants, everyday is not perfect but the gifts and talents that they have in their own way makes my life complete.

Work...

I am still continuing to work with the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives and every time I work for them the job continues to be more and more rewarding. I am also starting to work with my mom on the program that originated in Canada. I talked about it in a previous post. I'm so excited to be working in a school and making a difference in childrens' lives. I'm also looking forward to having the opportunity to put my skills from my human services degree to use by running a group. In an extra added bonus, the teacher advisor co-running the group with me has a huge Pez collection all over her classroom. It was meant to be!

Play...

I'm loving my experiences at Toastmasters and was even asked to be Lekotek's main speaker for their fundraiser on October 21st. Now some of you might be thinking, what is Lekotek? It helps families with a child or children with special needs learn fun, creative, and helpful ways to play together. I was involved in this program at a very young age. It's helped me throughout the years to become more efficient on the computer. If you would like more information on the event please let me know. I'm also very thrilled, my dance program has started up again! We are doing amazing things and I'm having the chance to dance in and out of my chair, I love going there because there is no judgment. Everyone is accepted for who they are and they are a gift to the piece of work in their own way. We are a family in the way that no one could do it without the other one. Our gift of collaboration and a commitment has made this program so successful. I can't wait to see what will come of it in the next few months, since it was so fantastic this month I see nothing but more positive energy.

So, on that note I'm marching on for Michael.

Jess