I am so proud of the steps our daughter has taken towards independence this past year. As she is a young adult with epilepsy and Non-verbal Learning Disorder, I think that they are note-worthy particularly as they all occurred in a relatively short span of time. Here's what I've seen:
- Becoming seizure free. Our prayers were answered or our daughter outgrew her epilepsy or the medications started to work but none of that would be possible without our daughter looking after herself, taking her meds, getting lots of sleep, eating right and staying away from drugs and alcohol.
- Finding her passion. Our daughter tried hard in her over-year to work out what she wanted to do with her time. Figuring that out is not easy, ask any young person, typical or not. It can be a struggle. For her it seemed to be a result of letting herself be open to possibilities.
- Following through. Once she realized that she wanted to work with plants and flowers, she worked hard in our garden to sow, weed and water an amazing array of sunflowers that blew a lot of us away. They were astonishing! The sun, rich soil and lots of water did their share too of course but the results were incredible.
- More follow through. As many folks know it is difficult for disabled people to find work. A partnership with WorkBC helped her immensely. With their assistance with resume, job hunting and interview skills she was able to find the perfect employment. The greenhouse that she works at is friendly, inclusive, encouraging, right around the corner and she loves it!
- Looking around. While we were in a big box store, I was glad to see that our daughter had found the product she wanted, navigated through the aisles, got in line and paid for it herself, without my input, direction or support while I stood in a seemingly interminable lineup in Customer Service (a contradiction in terms if ever there was one). In an environment that can be overwhelming for her, I was thoroughly impressed.
- Leaning in. I noticed our daughter giving a hug and some words of encouragement to a fellow Special Olympics team member whose dad had died two days before Christmas. I was proud to see her as a positive role model to other disabled athletes, prouder still as a mother to witness her empathy and compassion, qualities that do not always come easy.
More than anything, I have seen our daughter become more mature, more willing to try and to learn, more open to change and the possibilities that change presents. She has always been my hero but now I also see her as an adult person, admirable and able. Doors are opening and she is saying yes!
- Becoming seizure free. Our prayers were answered or our daughter outgrew her epilepsy or the medications started to work but none of that would be possible without our daughter looking after herself, taking her meds, getting lots of sleep, eating right and staying away from drugs and alcohol.
- Finding her passion. Our daughter tried hard in her over-year to work out what she wanted to do with her time. Figuring that out is not easy, ask any young person, typical or not. It can be a struggle. For her it seemed to be a result of letting herself be open to possibilities.
- Following through. Once she realized that she wanted to work with plants and flowers, she worked hard in our garden to sow, weed and water an amazing array of sunflowers that blew a lot of us away. They were astonishing! The sun, rich soil and lots of water did their share too of course but the results were incredible.
- More follow through. As many folks know it is difficult for disabled people to find work. A partnership with WorkBC helped her immensely. With their assistance with resume, job hunting and interview skills she was able to find the perfect employment. The greenhouse that she works at is friendly, inclusive, encouraging, right around the corner and she loves it!
- Looking around. While we were in a big box store, I was glad to see that our daughter had found the product she wanted, navigated through the aisles, got in line and paid for it herself, without my input, direction or support while I stood in a seemingly interminable lineup in Customer Service (a contradiction in terms if ever there was one). In an environment that can be overwhelming for her, I was thoroughly impressed.
- Leaning in. I noticed our daughter giving a hug and some words of encouragement to a fellow Special Olympics team member whose dad had died two days before Christmas. I was proud to see her as a positive role model to other disabled athletes, prouder still as a mother to witness her empathy and compassion, qualities that do not always come easy.
More than anything, I have seen our daughter become more mature, more willing to try and to learn, more open to change and the possibilities that change presents. She has always been my hero but now I also see her as an adult person, admirable and able. Doors are opening and she is saying yes!
