Thursday, August 29, 2013

Fork Stuck in the Road


This month has made me very confused and uncomfortable. I feel as though my life has been shook up and put back together. That is because I received state funding a few days ago, and with that state funding comes rules and regulations that I’m not used to. They are also not used to having somebody receiving this funding having such an active life like I do. So we both have to work together, even though I don’t see it now, people keep telling me it will benefit me in the long run. I was reminded by a song this month by Green Day, called Good Riddance, I think that describes exactly what I am going through.

I am also experiencing a lot of good things though. Cleo and I were interviewed on my boss’s radio station, Disability Beat, a few months ago about our upcoming business, which will probably be called No Limits with two taglines that my aunt suggested. Thank you Aunt Sheri! Here is the interview for those of you who want to hear it and if you would pass it on to your contacts I would greatly appreciate it. www.disabilitybeat.com/MP3s/jessiandcleo.mp3

Also, I believe that having a blog isn’t always necessarily for me. It is a way for me to reach out to my contacts and help other people out when needed. This summer, I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful young woman at camp named Pearl Gannon. Her muscular dystrophy has gotten to the point where she is in desperate need for an accessible van to maintain her health and to be able to do the things she loves to do. Including going to camps and participating in many wheelchair sports. But she can’t do it without your help. So in honor of the Jewish New Year, I am asking you please to help my friend out in any way you can, even if it just is telling other people about her situation.

Thank you very much! And I hope for those of you that it applies to that you will have a sweet, happy, and healthy New Year with your family and friends. I know that I will because my friend, Paula, is coming in right before it starts. Which means she will set off good vibes for me. She has been through a lot this month herself and I really am grateful that she will once again be able to make the trip up here. September 1st marks my 5th year of living on my own. Thank you Mom and Dad for helping to support me this far. I know it hasn’t been easy and I am extremely thankful. Within those 5 years, I have learned so much, grown as a person and developed my own views and opinions that help me to help others in my situation. I am so grateful that I have had this opportunity to be able to live on my own the way I want to, but I am mostly grateful that I can set a good example for the agency that's helping me to recieve the state funding of a person that likes to live a productive and meaningful life, and not one of what they are used to. I love to be one of those people that make others think and go beyond what they are used to. And it also marks the day that my cousin, Jordan, will be moving in to his own apartment very close to where I live. Another good way to start off the New Year! We are extremely excited, we don’t know who is more excited, me or him!

Here are the lyrics of the song I mentioned above…

"Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)"

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right,
              I hope you had the time of your life.


Five years and counting,
Jessica