adult presentations

[Guest guest]

I've been trying to figure out a way to describe my feelings about the Adult

CHARGErs presentations and I just am stooped. To me it was hard-Thanks for

your understanding and comfort Pam! There are so many different thoughts and

feelings I have. The most important to say is that I am very proud of all of

you. It was an honor to listen to each of you and to see how well you all did.

Listening to you was inspirational to everyone.

Philip, I remember meeting you in Houston for the first time-in a pool again!

It is wonderful to see that are you growing into a kind and thoughtful young

man. Loved your Jokes!

Chip, oh my, aren't you the social king! It was a pleasure to hear of your

efforts in finding a vocation for your love of animals. It's nice to see your

passion becoming fulfilled.

Chantelle, your poem made me get way too emotional! Hearing you say it is

different that reading it. Thanks for that.

, it was a pleasure to hear of all your efforts that are coming to

fruition. You are a gentle woman with such strength.

Belinda, oh Belinda! Having finally met you and having the gift of spending

time with you made your presentations even better for me. I was so proud of

you, as was everyone. You talk of being tired and needing to sleep. Of

course, you should have been totally exhausted. Public speaking is tiring for

anyone and yet you did it twice! Plus you traveled such a long distance and had

to

be " on " all the time. I am surprised you didn't pass out. You are a

fabulous person.

All of you were an inspiration to everyone and each of you did such a great

job. I do have to say though that because I am a parent of an adult who has

CHARGE I think I took it differently than parents with little ones. Yes, you

all are inspirational and yes you gave people hope. But there was more, so much

more and somehow I feel that might have been missed.

I understand that each of you continue to have struggles in life. I know it

isn't easy. As a matter of fact sometimes I think it is even harder. What

occurred to me as I was listening to each of you is that you all have a

tremendous sense of humor (some more than others!) and that each of you continue

to

overcome obstacles. You all have a great sense of self and all have great

determination. I get fearful because it looks like it is easier than I know it

is.

And yet your determination is there.

Chantelle, you asked what Patty's question was. I asked her the same which

her response made me a bit sad. She was going to ask what are all of your

obstacles at this time. Those obstacles aren't only medical but are also being

hired for a job, continuing to prove you can continue to learn, to have

appropriate social opportunities, fighting against discrimination, finding

transportation ... and accepting who you are at this moment. She also wanted to

know who

is there to help you overcome these obstacles besides your families.

I also know of other families, like Martha, who should also be involved with

the adult presentations. We all need to understand the whole scope of CHARGE

adults and to remain hopeful for all of our children. Again, I might be

totally off base here but I think I saw something that looked to easy. I know

differently and yet you all are???? people who continue to Charge forward!

All the families need to know of the struggles you continue to overcome. When

that is understood people will be even more impressed than they are now.

Again, I am thrilled to see the great people you have become!

And then I came home. Have any of you received the Braille Monitor from the

National Federation of the Blind? The title of the first article is " A Dark

Day for Rehabilitation. " There are not so great things happening out there for

adults with disabilities, let alone the Deaf/Blind, let alone adults with

CHARGE. The article is about rehab services. This is detrimental to all our

children. Gosh, it gets harder and harder! I'll see if I can scan in the

article

and paste it here. That'll be later.

So yes, you were all fabulous, you were all inspirational and will always be.

I can't wait to see what each of you do in the future. Yet to me it was

even deeper because I have the experience of knowing what happens when you

become

adults and what you have to go through to get there. And yet each of you

stood there so strong. Each of you could laugh. Each of you seemed to be OK

within yourselves. It is your resilience that is imbedded in your soul that

continues to show itself. I am in awe of your resilience.

It was a joy to hear all of you and I thank you.

Great Job everyone!

Always grateful,

Bonnie, Mom to a 22, Patty CHARGE 20, and wife to