Tuesday, February 9, 2010
March AT Expo
I just wanted to spread the word that there is the annual Assitive Technology Expo coming up in March!! It's March 18 from 9-4 in Spartanburg, SC. There will be tons of presenters, agencies, and organizations there so come check it out and get some new resources and information! We will be there as well, presenting, with some of the people we've worked with. You will get a firsthand account of how assistive technology has allowed them to live on their own! It's going to be a great time and if you can't stay all day, that's okay. Our presentation will be at 2 p.m. and its titled "On my own." Hope to see you there!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
See ya later...
It’s so hard to believe that tomorrow is my last day. I can remember my first day like it was yesterday… wearing the most uncomfortable shoes because they were the only ones that matched and I wanted everything to flow right… only really it was like 8 months ago and I definitely still wear those shoes. Beauty is pain!
So maybe I should start by naming everything that I’ve learned and what I’ll take with me as I enter my next stage in life. First, I would just like to say that the most awarding thing about social work is watching all your hard work pan out. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you are helping another person and without your dedication, they may never be able to reach their ultimate dreams in life.
Another thing I’ve learned is patience. I mean, not that I’ve never had it before but I’ve learned that good things come to those who wait, even if it doesn’t always seem true or if it seemed like watching grass grow happened a lot faster… it’ll happen, just wait.
And lastly I’d just like to thank everyone I’ve met and/or worked with the past eight months. I want to thank everyone at the Supported Community Living Initiate for letting me be a part of this very rewarding experience and I’d also like to thank the people I’ve worked with and let them know that they’ve also helped me throughout the past year. They’ve helped me become a stronger person inside and helped make me understand the power of respect and determination.
So instead of saying goodbye I’m just gonna say, see ya later …because you only say goodbye if you’re not coming back. And I’ll be back.
So maybe I should start by naming everything that I’ve learned and what I’ll take with me as I enter my next stage in life. First, I would just like to say that the most awarding thing about social work is watching all your hard work pan out. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you are helping another person and without your dedication, they may never be able to reach their ultimate dreams in life.
Another thing I’ve learned is patience. I mean, not that I’ve never had it before but I’ve learned that good things come to those who wait, even if it doesn’t always seem true or if it seemed like watching grass grow happened a lot faster… it’ll happen, just wait.
And lastly I’d just like to thank everyone I’ve met and/or worked with the past eight months. I want to thank everyone at the Supported Community Living Initiate for letting me be a part of this very rewarding experience and I’d also like to thank the people I’ve worked with and let them know that they’ve also helped me throughout the past year. They’ve helped me become a stronger person inside and helped make me understand the power of respect and determination.
So instead of saying goodbye I’m just gonna say, see ya later …because you only say goodbye if you’re not coming back. And I’ll be back.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
First floor does not mean go up/down a couple steps first.
So I’ve been working with this man, who will remain nameless, for the past 6 or so months now. He is very inspring and dedicated with high hopes of eventually moving into his own apartment which sounds like an easy process, right? You find an apartment you like and then you move in. However, for me, the process has been long, frustrating and at times seemed almost impossible.
Since the man I’m referring to receives government funding and resides in a wheelchair, finding an apartment that was available and accessible for him is quite rare. I can’t even begin to tell you how many apartment complexes I’ve called that do not accept Section 8 Vouchers nor do they have apartments available or available on the first floor. Oh, and when I say “first floor” I mean no steps. Zero. No steps going up and no steps going down. When you hear first floor, do you think it’s still okay to have a few steps going up before you arrive at the front door? Because it’s not okay and it’s very misleading and annoying.
Well, needless to say, this story does actually have a happy ending. We finally found an apartment that is not only on the first floor, or should I say “ground level” because that would apparently be more appropriate, but it’s completely handicap accessible! So all in all, it was worth it and very rewarding. Finally, another goal met and another dream come true.
Since the man I’m referring to receives government funding and resides in a wheelchair, finding an apartment that was available and accessible for him is quite rare. I can’t even begin to tell you how many apartment complexes I’ve called that do not accept Section 8 Vouchers nor do they have apartments available or available on the first floor. Oh, and when I say “first floor” I mean no steps. Zero. No steps going up and no steps going down. When you hear first floor, do you think it’s still okay to have a few steps going up before you arrive at the front door? Because it’s not okay and it’s very misleading and annoying.
Well, needless to say, this story does actually have a happy ending. We finally found an apartment that is not only on the first floor, or should I say “ground level” because that would apparently be more appropriate, but it’s completely handicap accessible! So all in all, it was worth it and very rewarding. Finally, another goal met and another dream come true.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Preparing for Adulthood: Housing Opportunities
On March 27, 2009, The Supported Community Living Initiative will be presenting at the Family Connection Conference. Our session will discuss housing opportunities for children with disabilities who desire to move into the community and the importance of supports from family and friends. A parent, whose son has recently moved into a house of his own, will co-present with Kristi to share her experience as he and his family prepared him for living successfully in the community.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My future as a leader
It’s now February and I’ve been interning at CDR for the past six months which can be either a good or a bad thing, depending on which way you look at it. It’s a good thing because I’m comfortable with my surroundings, have learned my way around the place, know everyone by name and where to find them and the people I’m working with know who I am as well as all the other circle members. Now you’re probably wondering, what could possibly be bad? Well, I’ll tell you. Since I am settled in here at the Supported Community Living Initiative, it’s about time for me to begin facillitating a circle meeting which means: be the leader aka speak while everyone’s staring at me and know what to respond with if asked any type of question.
First reaction: Yipes!
Second thought: I can totally do this.
It’s actually way easier than I had originally imagined. I honestly was the most nervous about not having enough to say but after the first like 14 seconds I could barely get a word in because everyone else just began discussing things after my opening statement which made the process go a lot smoother and completely removed all doubts for myself and my future as a leader.
The meeting turned out to be a success. It felt good to be in control.
Thanks guys for encouraging me and having faith in my leadership skills!
First reaction: Yipes!
Second thought: I can totally do this.
It’s actually way easier than I had originally imagined. I honestly was the most nervous about not having enough to say but after the first like 14 seconds I could barely get a word in because everyone else just began discussing things after my opening statement which made the process go a lot smoother and completely removed all doubts for myself and my future as a leader.
The meeting turned out to be a success. It felt good to be in control.
Thanks guys for encouraging me and having faith in my leadership skills!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Paving the Way to the Future
The Supported Community Living Intiative will be presenting at the South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo 2009 on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.
Our session will be from 9:30 - 10:30am. We will offer information about assistive technology as it relates to housing and employment for individuals over the age of 18 with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Intellectual disabilities, and Autism. For more information on the Expo 2009 visit http://www.sc.edu/scatp/expo/expo09.html.
Our session will be from 9:30 - 10:30am. We will offer information about assistive technology as it relates to housing and employment for individuals over the age of 18 with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Intellectual disabilities, and Autism. For more information on the Expo 2009 visit http://www.sc.edu/scatp/expo/expo09.html.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Dream Fulfilled
Today is my last day interning for the Supported Community Living Initiative for the fall semester. For the past four months, I’ve learned an abundance of information and experienced more than I ever imagined. Meeting everyone involved in the program has given me even more motivation and encouragement to continue pursuing my own goal in becoming a social worker. Each individual involved has a dream of independence and recently I was fortunate enough to be a part of some one fulfilling that dream.
After years of living under his parents’ roof, a young man recently moved into his own home. With smiles and excitement, he and his family invited us to hold his next circle meeting at his new house. With a tremendous circle of support, this young man gained the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve his goal of independence. He now has his own game room and a big screen television to enjoy watching with his brother and has secured employment in order to earn an income to keep up with paying his own bills, in which he is thrilled to finally have!
It has been such a satisfying experience working with a group of individuals with extreme amounts of passion and devotion. It gives me an indescribable feeling seeing the joy in one’s face that has just overcame an incredible obstacle. I look forward to returning for the spring semester with the hopes of experiencing yet even more rewarding events.
After years of living under his parents’ roof, a young man recently moved into his own home. With smiles and excitement, he and his family invited us to hold his next circle meeting at his new house. With a tremendous circle of support, this young man gained the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve his goal of independence. He now has his own game room and a big screen television to enjoy watching with his brother and has secured employment in order to earn an income to keep up with paying his own bills, in which he is thrilled to finally have!
It has been such a satisfying experience working with a group of individuals with extreme amounts of passion and devotion. It gives me an indescribable feeling seeing the joy in one’s face that has just overcame an incredible obstacle. I look forward to returning for the spring semester with the hopes of experiencing yet even more rewarding events.
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