Tuesday, December 21, 2010

TODAY WAS THE CHIRSTMAS LUNCHEN AT MY APARTMENT FOR ALL OF THE TENETS!

Hi Everyone!

Today was a Christmas luncheon for all of the tenants that live at my apartment building in the community room! No relatives or Personal Assistants were invited! We had Vegetable lasagna, Pasta Salad, Jello, and cake with frosting for dessert! Plus the beverages were Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Juice!

The manger told us that she really appreciates us as tenets and we are doing a very good job of keeping our apartment clean, playing the rent on time, and following all the rules! She told us that we have created a network of friends that will hopefully last a lifetime! She also told us about the celebration this year!

There was a opera singer, who had a beautiful soprano voice! I wish I could have made it but the weather was too bad! So she is going too give me a DVD of the celebration! So I, my family and friends can watch it!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

TODAY WE HAD A SEMINAR AND A FIREFIGHTER CAME TOO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT WHAT TOO DO IN THE EMERGENCY OF A FIRE!

Hi Everyone!

Today we had a firefighter come too our apartment building and give a seminar in the community room on what too do in case of a fire occurring! Most of the residents are MUCH more disabled than I am! The best thing the fireman said to do in case of a fire, is too go into the shower and turn on the water if you CAN'T get too safety! If you ARE able too get too safety call 911 for help and climb out a window as SOON as possible! Then wait for the firemen and paramedics too get there!

When I first moved into my apartment, the fire alarm "DID" go off, because I wasn't sure on how use their microwave, so I put some leftovers on for three minutes so instead of pressing reheat on the microwave, my apartment was covered in smoke! The fire department did NOT come! In fact "NO ONE" came! So, I called my Grandma and she told me too turn the fan on in the bathroom, that way the fan would take the smoke out! It worked! Grandma's ALWAYS know best!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

LAST SATURDAY I AND A FEW FRIENDS WENT TOO THE MALL TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

Hi Everyone!

Last Saturday a few friends went too the mall and we went Christmas shopping! I was a very "COLD" day! We bought many Christmas gifts for family and friends! We also had lunch in the food court! Then we came back too our apartment and had dinner!

People with disability's should be THANKFUL that they have family and friends that really CARE and want too be a special part of their lives! I'm thankful that I have made WONDERFUL friends at my apartment! They DON'T judge me for who I am, they also treat me with respect, as I do them!

This Saturday caroler's are coming too sing Christmas caorler's in the community room! Then next week my best friend Sarah, her sister Betsy, and their Mom Elna are going make Christmas cookies and a White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie! Then on Christmas Eve my family and I are going too my Aunt Marcia and Gordy's for Christmas Eve, then I on Christmas Day I'm going too my Dad's, also on December 26th, 27th, and 28th will be going too Bobbie Jo's family for Christmas with them!

I'm also having a New Year's party with my friends that I made living at my apartment! I hope everyone has Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

YESTERDAY I WENT TO A RAMP MEETING TO HELP GET SINGED UP FOR A PERSONAL ASSITANT!

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday I went to a RAMP meeting help me get signed up for a Personal Assistant or a P.A.! I also am planning on to get signed up to ride Para Transit when my family can't take me places! People WITH disabilities need a LOT of assistance and people WITHOUT disabilities DON'T realize or even have a clue! So having a P.A. is a WONDERFUL step for NOT living in a Nursing Home! You still can live on your own and in your own home but you still have the assistant that you need!

RAMP is going to call me when they receive the information, then I have too call DOORS and let them know why I need a P.A.! RAMP will come too my apartment and aces what I need help with, then I go through a list of people and I have too call and interview them to see if I want them to work for me! If I like and trust them then they can start to work for me!

This will also show my friends and family that I have become the independent young adult that I and my family hoped for! Most of all my Mom would be VERY proud and impressed with my progress!

NEVER be afraid too ask for help, I always think that I can do everything but I'm finding out that I CAN'T! I DON'T feel ashamed or embarrassed because of I have Cerebral Palsy, if people DON'T except it or understand that I need a LOT of assistants then I guess that's on them, because I'm going too make my life work for me! I also am a fighter and I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

JEN'S BIG DAY IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

Hi Everyone!

Today was a very exciting and special day for me! Photographers from Over The Rainbow Association came too my apartment and took pictures for The Over The Rainbow Celebration every year around Christmas time! They also interviewed me and asked questions, for example, How do I like living here?, When did I move in?, Have I made many friends?, and so on. They also videotaped me playing the piano. I felt very horned!

Since I've been on my own, I think I have been even more independent than before! All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and MIRACULOUS things will happen! My Mom would be very impressed with my progress! This is what she wanted for me! But I also wanted a life for myself and now I have one!

NEVER be afraid of new adventures and challenges, there's ALWAYS ways to overcome struggles, all you have to do is TRY, and you'll be able to do things that you ALWAYS dreamed of! For me, I don't mind asking people for help, but I have too accept the fact that I CAN'T do everything for myself! Hopefully in a few months I'll be getting my own Personal Assistant!

I have also made network of friends, that I hope will last for a lifetime!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

YESTERDAY MY FRIEND SARAH AND I WENT TOO SEE THE B-52'S LIVE IN CONCERT!

Hi Everyone!

I have some WONDERFUL news! Yesterday my friend Sarah and I went too see The B-52's live in concert! That has been my dream come TRUE ever since I can remember! We had a BLAST! The opening band was called Lazar Dudes, they weren't very good, but anyways The B-52's were AMAZING! The concert was two in a half hours long! We got back home too our apartment around 1:30am we were exhausted! But we had the time of our lives! The concert will be something that'll ALWAYS remember!

We also took pictures, so pictures will be posted when we get them developed! See all you have too do is put one foot in front of the other and make your dreams come true! Hopefully ALL of you have a special dream, if you work hard enough it will also come true for you as well!

Friday, August 27, 2010

LEARNING NEW EXPRIENCES WHILE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS!

Hi Everyone!

I wanted too express my feelings too you about living independently! I have discovered that since I've been on my own, I have done things that I thought were impossible for me too do! For example, keeping a clean apartment, cooking, and making sure that ALL the bills are payed on time!

I've also made many new friends since I've lived here! I've met about four people that are very nice! We go down too the community room and play cards! I also met a very nice woman, and her name is Sarah, who has M.S.! We have a lot of the same struggles but the are different and we fight too do everything POSSIBLE that we can for ourselves! I also have met a man named Joe who is also very nice!

Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis have many similarities! You have muscle aches, and it's hard for you too move quickly!

I've enjoyed living on my own! My Mom would be "VERY" proud of me! I just would like too thank everyone that made this journey in my life possible!

Since I've lived on my own, I have made a small community of friends that I hope will last for years too come! This was partially the idea of me living independently, I would be self-sufficient, and make a network of friends too do fun things with, I guess it looks like that I accomplished my goal!

Friday, June 25, 2010

THE ADVENTURES OF LIVING INDEPENDENTLY!

Hi Everyone!

I would like too tell you a little bit about the adventures of living independently when you have Cerebral Palsy! When I moved into my new apartment, I had too learn to do EVERYTHING for myself, it was scary at times but I also knew that I was a young adult who wanted a life for herself! I had too learn how too cook and clean! But now I'm very grateful that I achieved my goal! Also my family and friends have helped me along the way!

All of you should think about doing the same thing! I began too realize that I couldn't be SO stubborn! Now I'm living on my own! I'm cooking, cleaning, doing my own laundry and paying my bills and most of all I'm proud of myself for making my dreams come true! All you have too do is put one foot in front of the other and miraculous things will happen! You should NEVER be afraid of CHANGE, because there is ALWAYS CHANGE in life wheather we like it or NOT!

ALWAYS keep a open mind and a open heart too new experiences, if you do that your life will have many new and exciting journey's too experience! I've even applied for a part-time job that I'll hopefully be starting in the fall when school begins! Always look for new horizons and your dreams will come true!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

TODAY MY PIANO ARRIVED TOO MY NEW APARTMENT!

Hi Everyone!

Today was a GREAT day! Today my piano arrived too my new apartment! I was very pleased because I have been waiting for its arrival ever since I moved in! It sounds WONDERFUL but it's very "LOUD"! I'm all set with everything I need! I've been in my apartment a little over a week now, it's exciting and scary at times, but I know I'll be just fine! I've been waiting too have a place of my own for a long time!

That's something that all of 'YOU" should think about doing in the near future as well! Your parents or gaurdians arre NOT going too be around forever too support and take care of you so that's why dear readers, I always 'STREES" too you that it's very important that you become as independent and self-sufficant as possiable, because someday you'll have too rely on yourself for EVERYTHING! Our parents and loved ones are NOT going too be around forever!

I have already done some laundry and cooking so that's a start! But there's MUCH more to living on your own than that! You have too cook, clean, pay your bills,"ON TIME", shop for YOURSELF! If you work hard enough and set your mind to do it you'll be just fine! You just can't talk about you have to "DO IT"!

I and my family are very happy with the progress that I've made! I hope I'll have many more happy life exerpiences in my journey, I guess things will happen when I least expect it! Keep up the good work!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

TWO DAYS AGO I MOVED INTO MY NEW APARTMENT!

Hi Everyone!

I have WONDERFL and EXCITING news! Two days ago I moved into my new apartment! I made my goal of living on my OWN which I'm very excited and proud! My "late" Mom "Vicky' would be vey happy also!

If you work hard enough on being independent, the goals that you have set for yourself will come true, all you have too do is try and you'll succed in becoming a young independent adult! It will be difficult but you have too find ways too make life easier for YOU!

I still walk with my stick canes, but now I'm using a walker with a seat so I can move things around much easier!

You CAN'T always depend on other people for help, you have too learn too depend on YOURSELF,as MUCH as possiable!

My family and I are very happy that I have acheived the goal of living on my own! I hope that ALL of you will be able too live on your someday as wel!

All it takes is years and years of hard work but if you set your mind too being indenpendent, hopefully that will happen for you as well!

Monday, April 12, 2010

THIS WEEKEND I'LL BE MOVING INTO MY NEW APARTMENT AND MY NEW CELL PHONE JUST ARRIVED AS WELL!

Hi Everyone!

This is a very EXCITING time for me but very DIFFERNT! I'm am going too start a life for myself! I'm going too be in my new apartment hopefully this weekend sometime! My new cell phone that my Dad bought me will be here in a few days!

Sure I'm a little bit nervous, but mostly I'm excited! ALL of you should think about moving out on your OWN as well someday! You will find MUCH joy and happiness! It ALL depends on YOU! YOU are the ONLY person that can decide how YOU want your life too be! I choose too be as independent as I can, make MANY new friends, and live the life I've ALWAYS dreamed of!

Things will be very difficult for me to do, but I make things easier like using a walker with a seat and a basket too carry things around! If I get tried of standing I can sit down on the walker and rest for a few minutes!

I NEVER like too depend on other people for help, but sometimes I have no choice! If you need assitance from other people, try too remember to be as polite as possible! People DON'T want too help people that are rude! If you are polite too people then people will want too help and be with more than if your NOT! People DON'T have too help you, it's a choice that they make!

Make your family and friends proud of you, also PROVE too them that ALL of their help is MUCH apprecaited! When you see them, tell them, send them thank you cards! Every once in awhile it's nice for someone you care about knows that what ALL they do to help you isn't done in vein!

I tell my family and friends thank you "ALL THE TIME" so they know that I appreicate everything that they do for me!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

TODAY I WROTE MY FIRST RENT CHECK FOR MY NEW APARTMENT!

Hi Everyone!

Today was a very exciting day for me! Today I wrote my first rent check for my new apartment! I can honestly say that I have a place that I can call my OWN to live in! I NEVER thought that my dream would become a reality! I owe MOST of the credit too my Dad "John" and my late Mom "Vicky" because they are the ones that made me who I am today, and taught me to be responsible. I also want to thank Bobbie Jo for all her help and support in helping to make all this happen too!

I have to give myself "SOME" credit as well for being brave enough to give it a try.

I wish my Mom could see how much I have accomplished in becoming independent and self- sufficient! She would be SO proud that I'm starting a life for myself! Making new friends, and keeping in touch with old friends as well!

This is a HUGE step and change in my life, but I'm up for the challenges! You'll soon find out that you can do MORE things on your own than you thought you could. All you have too do is NEVER be afraid to try NEW things! You NEVER know if you can do something if you NEVER try!

I'm very excited about moving into my new apartment and starting a life for myself. I hope ALL of you in the near future will find the time to come and visit!

You CAN'T depend on other people your WHOLE life, you have learn to depend on yourself and make your own decisions. Hopefully you'll always make the right ones!

I hope you and your families have a safe and Happy Easter!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Thursday, March 11, 2010

MEMORIES THAT WE'LL CHERISH FOR A LIFETIME!

Hi Everyone!

Today is a day that I hold very dear too my heart! Today is the fourth anniversary of my Uncle John's passing! Let my tell you a little bit about my Uncle John! He was a very generous and loving man! He had a GREAT work ethic, he loved living on the farm! He also loved his wife,children, grand children, nieces, and nephews with ALL of his heart!

He was the kind of man that would help you in ANY time of need! Day or night! He also could be strict when he had too! He would be SO proud of me, that I'm starting a life for myself and living on my own!



I'm trying too do the best I can too show my Mom and my Uncle how independent I've become! It's a shame that they WON'T be here in enjoy my NEW experiences in becoming a young independent adult! I just have too remember the WONDERFUL times I had with them and also remember and DO what they taught me!

Remember to always cherish and remember the special people in your life because you NEVER know when your last day will come! Be PROUD that you have come this far, those special people in your life helped you get to where are but YOU did ALL the work! Also be THANKFUL that the special person or people in your are willing to help you become independent! Please remember that people do NOT have too help you, it's a choice they make! People help you because they want too!

I'm sure both my Mom Vicky and my Uncle John are looking down on me and saying "WAY TO GO, WE KNEW YOU COULD DO IT"!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

TODAY WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY AND A NEW ADVENTURE!

Hi Everyone!

Today is a very SPECIAL day for me! Today I received my keys too my new apartment! I'm very happy and excited about that! It's been a LONG road up until now but I have proven too my Dad and "late" Mom that I can be independent, self-sufficient, and be able too live on my own! I'm very excited and nervous but mostly excited because now I can start a life for myself!

I will still need help cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry but I'm also looking forward too meeting new people and doing new things! I'll be able too try things that I've NEVER tried before! In the long run I'll be able too prove to family, friends, but most of ALL prove too myself that I achieved my goal in becoming a young independent adult!

NEVER be afraid too follow your heart and dreams! Usually your heart tells you what the right thing is for YOU too do!

Be CAREFUL of the decision's you make! ALWAYS think about them BEFORE you make them, because if you make the WRONG decision it can effect you for the REST of your life!

I hope I'll meet some nice new friends and we can do things together!

This is a HUGE life change for me but I'm up for the challenges that I will face!

My "late" Mom would be SO proud of me! Who knows maybe she had something too do with this! I can now start a life for myself, I NEVER imagined this day would come but I guessed wrong! I guess some dreams and miracles really do come true!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

GETTING PREPARED TO MOVE INTO MY NEW APARTMENT!

Hi Everyone!

Well, the time has finally come for me too leave the nest, "if I must say so"! My Dad and I put a application for me too live at a disabled apartment for young adults with disabilities! I'm actually looking forward to it! Sure it'll be scary at first, but after awhile it'll feel like it is home too me!

We take a tour of the apartment when the manger calls us! If I like it as much as I think I will, then in a few weeks I can pack my things and move into the apartment and start a new life for myself! The apartment complex is only about ten minutes away from home so I'll see my family a lot!

This is HUGE step in my life and know that my Mom would be VERY proud of me! This will be the ONLY way that I can prove to her, that everything she taught me how too do for myself, paid off! It's a shame that she WON'T be here too see my new home and enjoy the experiences that I'll face! But I'm able too be as independent as I am because of the two WONDERFUL parents that I have! This will show my Mom and Dad that ALL of their hard work wasn't done in vein! I'm very proud for all of the work that I have accomplished and I NEVER plan on quiting!

If you quit on your goals and DON'T achieve what you too achieve, you'll NEVER succeed if life! You also have too keep a positive attitude! Sure things may NOT work as you had planned but that doesn't mean that you STOP and throw in the tow ell just because things are scary or difficult for you too do! If you need help DON'T be afraid too ask family and friends!

It will be nice for me too invite family and friends over for dinner, coffee, and dessert at MY home instead me always being a guest in their homes! If family come from out of town they can stay with me instead of paying for a hotel room!

So all in all this will be a WONDERFUL and exciting experience for us all! Wish me luck!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you and your families had a very safe and wonderful New Year! My family and I sure did! My Dad "John" and I went too visit my Mom "Vicky's" grave on Christmas Eve! Then on Christmas Day we went too my Aunt Marcia and her new husband Gordy's house too celebrate Christmas Day with family and friends! We had Lasagna, Garlic Bread, and Cookies! Then we all sat in the living room around the Christmas Tree and opened gifts! Christmas was EXTRA special this year because we had the pleasure of my Dad's new wife "Bobbie Jo" who sang Christmas duets as my cousin's and I played them on the piano! Bobbie Jo has a "BEAUTIFUL" Soprano voice!

A few family friends came over later that night!

I'm very lucky too have the close relationship I have with my family, plus they accept me for who I am and NOT my disability! Most people with Cerebral Palsy are left OUT of things because their families and other people DON'T understand how too help them or when they try too help them they DON'T know what too do! So in return you just have too sit there! But I'm VERY lucky that my family and friends accept for who I am and WANT too help me the BEST they can!

I'm planning too be in my OWN place in a couple of years! I know I'll be just fine because of ALL the years of my Mom teaching me how too be independent and how too TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! I owe my Dad a LOT of credit as well! He tries his hardest to help me continue too be independent and on the path, where my Mom left off!

My Dad and I have looked into apartments for young disabled adults! We have a application in, we are going too take a tour of the apartments when the mangers call us! I'm already on the list in a few apartment complexes! It's very scary but very exciting! I finally get too live in my OWN place! I think that's pretty remarkable!

When you have C.P. or any other disability, you tend to be afraid of the unknown! You're NOT sure if you'll be able to handle everything yourself, living alone is scary, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry ext! But you know what? Living alone is scary for EVERYONE at first, but is a WONDERFUL experience! Sometimes I even think to myself, how am I going too handle this or I need help! But the more things you TRY BY YOURSELF, the safer you'll feel about being independent and living on your own!

My "late" Mom Vicky was a WONDERFUL woman! She taught me everything I need to know about living on my own and being as "INDEPENDENT" as possible! She used too tell me, "NO one is going to be there too do everything for you, YOU have to learn how too TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Sure I was furious when she made do things that I couldn't do very well by myself, but I thank her in long run because I CAN do MOST things myself because of she made me do them even when I didn't want too! That's a very precious memory that I will hold very dear in my heart!

Please everyone take my advice we didn't deserve to have Cerebral Palsy but the more we try things BY OURSELVES the more independent and braver we'll become!