A happy day

[Guest guest]

I just have to share about Patty's day yesterday. She has been doing so well

at Easter Seals on training on the Computer that they and her MA Commission

for the Deaf/blind have extended her training for 20 more days. (Patty's

completed Word, Works, and PowerPoint)

When I picked her up at the train station she had an even bigger bounce in

her step than usual and a smile that spread across the town! When she got in

the car she was overjoyed and said her D/B case manager came to see her at

Easter Seals and they had a great talk and that this woman was going to call me

immediately.

Well,....... when the woman called her voice was as bubbly as Patty's. She

said that they had a great meeting and had planned a few things. The first is

we're having a meeting at Easter Seals to discuss the next step in finding

Patty a job. Without us asking she is going to get Patty an interpreter so she

can follow the meeting. For those of you who don't know Patty is totally oral

but signs as well. When she's in a conversation with more than one person she

has to " fill in the blanks " of what people are saying.

Then she said that she was thrilled to learn about and see all that Patty was

doing. She commented on Patty's wonderful humor, her ability to not stay

stuck on one topic but move on, her determination, her great work ethnic, her

wonderful appearance and that she had never seen Patty like this. I explained

that what she was seeing was--PATTY! She had met Patty after she had been

sitting here with nothing to do for almost a year. Patty wasn't in a good spot

but

was better than any other person would be in that situation. She had met

Patty when there were people saying she wouldn't be able to do something, when

Patty had been losing hope and dreams. But now that she's active and feeling as

though she is achieving even a little bit in life Patty has gone back to being

Patty. Who she was seeing and having in depth conversations with was who

Patty is and who we advocate for her to be allowed to be. She could see now the

difference of Patty being in unique stresses and due to that the uniqueness of

CHARGE and Patty. Oh this woman was so delighted. I had to let go of the " I

told you so " feeling and just allow this woman to be overjoyed in her

understanding. And boy was she overjoyed!

Next, Patty's been on a waiting list for an apartment for individuals who are

deaf/blind. She went from being over 300 two years ago to being 33 last

November. Of course when we call the staff there give little information as to

where she is on the list. So -- this woman showed up at the place personally

and spoke to them. She went to bat for Patty. I can't tell you how happy that

made Patty. Now she knows there is someone else in her corner besides us!

Apparently Patty has an ID card for transportation that she uses for the

train but there is a conductor who makes her pay. She got the conductors name

and

ID. Don't you just love her! Patty spoke to her case manager about this and

they are going to make her an ID from the Commission for the Blind. That way

she'll get the transportation for free without a question.

Also her case manager stated that Patty is doing incredibly well at Easter

Seals. Really, really well. Everyone there likes her and is impressed with

what she has achieved in such little time. Sure they don't know CHARGE but they

have all tried to learn. They respect what they don't know and then move on.

They respect!

They told her Patty is determined, has a great work ethic, is kind, friendly

to all, has a great sense of humor and better yet that Patty has potential.

They told her she will go farther than they ever expected. Again, " told you

so " was in my mind but how thrilling is it that they see......

There was so much more to this conversation and it was all good.

There is now a direction in Patty's life. There is a plan. And more than

that there is respect for her as a person. Patty wakes up every day excited to

go out the door and feels fulfilled when she comes home.

And by the way, not only is Patty doing well there because she is starting to

have a life, she is doing well here. She cleans, cooks, and even helps me

get out the door in the morning so we won't be late. Yesterday she had my coat,

purse, keys and phone at the door because I've been running late the last few

days. Got to love her. And she has accomplished all this with having four

ear infections in and now is congested again. That hasn't stopped her. Little

does.

Life for my daughter is starting to look up again. The point is she'll have

a life that is separate from us!

Each and every one of our sons and daughters have that right as adults.

I'm just thrilled to tears.

Bonnie, Mom to a 23, Patty CHARGE 21, and wife to