*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
Today was the last day for one of my clients, as he's transitioning to another day program. And it worked out, because we had a potluck for Halloween. And I am telling you, potlucks are absolutely this guy's favorite thing in life. It was nice to answer all his questions today in the affirmative: Yes, there is a potluck. Yes, you can have food at the potluck. Fruit punch? Sure. More? Sure. Yes, we are going to the party. Yes, everyone will be there. I got to take him on a little goodbye tour around the building, too, which was sweet. I've only known the guy for 9 months or so, but he's been with our agency for years, so there are many friendships that are hard for him to leave. I got a little teary-eyed as I accompanied him on all his goodbyes. But at the same time it was so sweet to see the community that has developed around him.
And so I will end the month of daily blogging on that note: a goodbye, and a sweet community to be a part of. Thanks for reading :-)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
31 for 21: Legacy
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
2nd to last "31 for 21" blog, and I was having trouble thinking what to write about. Nine years ago today, my grandparents were in a fatal car accident - my grandma died that day and my grandpa a week later. And October 30th will always, I think, sort of be about that.
Today wasn't all that hard. I went to the cemetery this morning, cried a little bit, and then went to work as normal. I thought about my grandparents often, especially whenever I wrote the date on anything, but mostly it was just a pretty normal day. It was actually a really GOOD day, as far as work goes, which hasn't happened in a little while.
I asked my mom tonight if there was any history of my grandparents having worked with people with disabilities, so I could somehow work that into the blog. No such luck. My grandpa was a well-known radio DJ in Phoenix for several decades, and he frequently did fundraising for different organizations, including Gompers Habilitation Center, but that was the extent of his involvement. My grandma was committed to a tutoring program with kids who needed her help, but not people with disabilities per se.
So it's official: I'm not continuing some sort of family legacy in the work that I do. But I do know that my grandparents contributed to the person I am today, probably in bigger ways than I know. And that person that they poured into for 20 years before their death happens to have the privilege of pouring into 17 clients each day. I pray I'd do that well. First and foremost, I want the Lord to be honored in the work that I do. But today, I thought a little bit also about wanting to honor the memory of my grandparents. I think they'd want me to work hard and well, and I wish they could see me try.
2nd to last "31 for 21" blog, and I was having trouble thinking what to write about. Nine years ago today, my grandparents were in a fatal car accident - my grandma died that day and my grandpa a week later. And October 30th will always, I think, sort of be about that.
Today wasn't all that hard. I went to the cemetery this morning, cried a little bit, and then went to work as normal. I thought about my grandparents often, especially whenever I wrote the date on anything, but mostly it was just a pretty normal day. It was actually a really GOOD day, as far as work goes, which hasn't happened in a little while.
I asked my mom tonight if there was any history of my grandparents having worked with people with disabilities, so I could somehow work that into the blog. No such luck. My grandpa was a well-known radio DJ in Phoenix for several decades, and he frequently did fundraising for different organizations, including Gompers Habilitation Center, but that was the extent of his involvement. My grandma was committed to a tutoring program with kids who needed her help, but not people with disabilities per se.
So it's official: I'm not continuing some sort of family legacy in the work that I do. But I do know that my grandparents contributed to the person I am today, probably in bigger ways than I know. And that person that they poured into for 20 years before their death happens to have the privilege of pouring into 17 clients each day. I pray I'd do that well. First and foremost, I want the Lord to be honored in the work that I do. But today, I thought a little bit also about wanting to honor the memory of my grandparents. I think they'd want me to work hard and well, and I wish they could see me try.
Monday, October 29, 2012
31 for 21: Good Choices
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
Today, I went in to work a bit wary, based on how last week had gone. I also went in hopeful that today would be better. It was. It was still hard, but much better. And in some cases, I just had to make choices that would MAKE it better.
1) There was a dog show this afternoon at 12:30. Really great - a group of trainers and their dogs who do little mini choreographed routines to music. It took place in our back lawn, to which our senior room's patio faces. So we got all of our clients out on the patio, even the ones who initially didn't want to. All my staff were there too. I COULD have taken that time to leave my clients in the capable hands of the staff on the patio and return inside for some much-needed paperwork time. But instead, I sat! I sat with everyone else, and enjoyed watching this feel-good event. Even better was seeing my clients get to meet and pet the dogs afterward. My paperwork didn't get tackled, but I got to really enjoy myself for a portion of the day. A good choice.
2) While changing one of the clients at the end of the day, I was pretty exhausted and feeling a little rushed. But I decided to joke with him, and it was a good choice. I asked him if I could take a nap on the changing table, if he would keep it a secret. He said he would definitely tell. I told him my boss already went home for the day and that I was pretty sure he didn't have his phone number. He said he'd write to him, even though he doesn't know how to write, he'd figure it out. I told him that I'd really thought he was on my side, but he definitely isn't. I then asked if he would also tattle if I took off my shoes, took off my badge, talked on my cell phone, or anything else that might break policy. He said he would definitely tell on me. I told him it sounded like I'd better behave, he said that was right. I laughed, he laughed, it was a good choice.
3) At the very end of the day, all but maybe 6 of the clients had already left for home. I'd finished essential paperwork but had loads of non-essential paperwork to work on, paperwork that will be essential tomorrow. I also had a client sitting with his Bible open on his wheelchair tray, looking expectantly toward me. I chose to read with that client, and it was a good choice. I read Proverbs 29 to him, and so got to end my day reading truth instead of cramming as much paperwork as I could into the last few minutes. It was a good choice.
Good choices don't always happen. I'm glad that today some did.
Today, I went in to work a bit wary, based on how last week had gone. I also went in hopeful that today would be better. It was. It was still hard, but much better. And in some cases, I just had to make choices that would MAKE it better.
1) There was a dog show this afternoon at 12:30. Really great - a group of trainers and their dogs who do little mini choreographed routines to music. It took place in our back lawn, to which our senior room's patio faces. So we got all of our clients out on the patio, even the ones who initially didn't want to. All my staff were there too. I COULD have taken that time to leave my clients in the capable hands of the staff on the patio and return inside for some much-needed paperwork time. But instead, I sat! I sat with everyone else, and enjoyed watching this feel-good event. Even better was seeing my clients get to meet and pet the dogs afterward. My paperwork didn't get tackled, but I got to really enjoy myself for a portion of the day. A good choice.
2) While changing one of the clients at the end of the day, I was pretty exhausted and feeling a little rushed. But I decided to joke with him, and it was a good choice. I asked him if I could take a nap on the changing table, if he would keep it a secret. He said he would definitely tell. I told him my boss already went home for the day and that I was pretty sure he didn't have his phone number. He said he'd write to him, even though he doesn't know how to write, he'd figure it out. I told him that I'd really thought he was on my side, but he definitely isn't. I then asked if he would also tattle if I took off my shoes, took off my badge, talked on my cell phone, or anything else that might break policy. He said he would definitely tell on me. I told him it sounded like I'd better behave, he said that was right. I laughed, he laughed, it was a good choice.
3) At the very end of the day, all but maybe 6 of the clients had already left for home. I'd finished essential paperwork but had loads of non-essential paperwork to work on, paperwork that will be essential tomorrow. I also had a client sitting with his Bible open on his wheelchair tray, looking expectantly toward me. I chose to read with that client, and it was a good choice. I read Proverbs 29 to him, and so got to end my day reading truth instead of cramming as much paperwork as I could into the last few minutes. It was a good choice.
Good choices don't always happen. I'm glad that today some did.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
31 for 21: Community
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
Since yesterday was video day, I waited til today to really talk about yesterday's Down syndrome walk. And because today gets extremely busy starting in about 20 minutes, I'm getting my blogging done early.
Arizona's Step Up for Down Syndrome walk was done in conjunction with Arizona State University's homecoming parade. ASU happens to be my alma mater, so I was excited to be there for multiple reasons. And I thought it was a really cool way to do the Down syndrome walk. These walks are about raising both money and awareness, and yet, when done on their own, I am not sure if the awareness part happens quite as much. This was cool because the Down Syndrome Network got to actually be IN the parade. I'm pretty sure we were actually the largest group that walked in it. And so kids and adults with Down syndrome, and their family and friends and advocates, got to walk down a street with people cheering on either side. This is part of the reason I posted the video yesterday that I did (see the post "Special Olympics"). It's great when there is POSITIVE attention directed toward these folks. It's even greater when that attention was not directed at them because they have Down syndrome but because they were in a parade. They were just like any other float in the parade, just like any other group (except, in my opinion, more impressive).
I was talking with the friend that came with me, about the importance of this community of support for people with Down syndrome. And I read elsewhere online, probably in another 31 for 21 blog, about how it should be mandatory for physicians to hand out information about Down syndrome networks like this local Arizona one, immediately upon telling a family a diagnosis. We all know that the abortion rate for babies with Down syndrome is appallingly high. Families are told, in many cases, essentially this: "Your baby has Down syndrome. You can keep the baby if you want, but it will be hard. If you want to abort it, here is how." I wish the abortion option was non-existent. But even if it is still on the table, the conversation really must go more like this: "Your baby has Down syndrome. There is a tremendous network of support for families such as yours. We encourage you to contact this group with your questions and concerns, and to get to know some of these families and their children. If you keep this baby, you will absolutely not walk this road alone."
The families I walked with yesterday did not have the attitude of victims, of people afflicted with some tragic circumstance. They walked triumphantly and joyfully. Their kids were full of smiles. The siblings of the kids with Down syndrome were having a blast and were so very proud of their brothers and sisters. The parents greeted each other as friends. And the ASU community was incredibly supportive. What a sweet way to spend a Saturday morning.
Since yesterday was video day, I waited til today to really talk about yesterday's Down syndrome walk. And because today gets extremely busy starting in about 20 minutes, I'm getting my blogging done early.
Arizona's Step Up for Down Syndrome walk was done in conjunction with Arizona State University's homecoming parade. ASU happens to be my alma mater, so I was excited to be there for multiple reasons. And I thought it was a really cool way to do the Down syndrome walk. These walks are about raising both money and awareness, and yet, when done on their own, I am not sure if the awareness part happens quite as much. This was cool because the Down Syndrome Network got to actually be IN the parade. I'm pretty sure we were actually the largest group that walked in it. And so kids and adults with Down syndrome, and their family and friends and advocates, got to walk down a street with people cheering on either side. This is part of the reason I posted the video yesterday that I did (see the post "Special Olympics"). It's great when there is POSITIVE attention directed toward these folks. It's even greater when that attention was not directed at them because they have Down syndrome but because they were in a parade. They were just like any other float in the parade, just like any other group (except, in my opinion, more impressive).
I was talking with the friend that came with me, about the importance of this community of support for people with Down syndrome. And I read elsewhere online, probably in another 31 for 21 blog, about how it should be mandatory for physicians to hand out information about Down syndrome networks like this local Arizona one, immediately upon telling a family a diagnosis. We all know that the abortion rate for babies with Down syndrome is appallingly high. Families are told, in many cases, essentially this: "Your baby has Down syndrome. You can keep the baby if you want, but it will be hard. If you want to abort it, here is how." I wish the abortion option was non-existent. But even if it is still on the table, the conversation really must go more like this: "Your baby has Down syndrome. There is a tremendous network of support for families such as yours. We encourage you to contact this group with your questions and concerns, and to get to know some of these families and their children. If you keep this baby, you will absolutely not walk this road alone."
The families I walked with yesterday did not have the attitude of victims, of people afflicted with some tragic circumstance. They walked triumphantly and joyfully. Their kids were full of smiles. The siblings of the kids with Down syndrome were having a blast and were so very proud of their brothers and sisters. The parents greeted each other as friends. And the ASU community was incredibly supportive. What a sweet way to spend a Saturday morning.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
31 for 21: Special Olympics
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
For anyone reading my blog daily, please know that this morning DID help. It was such fun to walk with the Down syndrome Network in the parade, fun to spend time with my Bible and a good friend before the parade, lovely to still have many hours of this Saturday ahead of me. I have high hopes that I can start next week with a different mindset than I ended this last one with.
And now, because it's Saturday and I've made that the day where I just mostly post a video on the blog so I don't have to think too hard...here's today's video. I love this one, it gives me chills.
For anyone reading my blog daily, please know that this morning DID help. It was such fun to walk with the Down syndrome Network in the parade, fun to spend time with my Bible and a good friend before the parade, lovely to still have many hours of this Saturday ahead of me. I have high hopes that I can start next week with a different mindset than I ended this last one with.
And now, because it's Saturday and I've made that the day where I just mostly post a video on the blog so I don't have to think too hard...here's today's video. I love this one, it gives me chills.
I wish more of our looking and staring was like that. If you haven't been to a Special Olympics event, please find one and attend one day. I guarantee you'll be impressed.
Happy Saturday!
Friday, October 26, 2012
31 for 21: Too Tired
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
Ok, so I mostly forgot about blogging until right now, and need to be up at 5 tomorrow. So this is titled "too tired" for 2 reasons.
1) I felt "too tired" today - not really physically, as I had actually gotten a good night's sleep and had a fairly large mocha before work. But I was tired of everybody and everything at work (I'm 99.9% sure this is just temporary). There were some really fun moments with our Halloween festivities, but the day-to-day stuff in the room just exhausted me. I didn't want to take an hour convincing a client to open her mouth so I could feed her her lunch. I didn't want to do the extra toileting for people that I always do on Fridays when we're one staff short. I didn't want to be the only one who seems capable of pressing play on a DVD during movie time or of answering the phone when it rings. I was worn out, frustrated, frazzled, and disappointed in myself for the way I was responding to the people and situations around me.
2) I'm "too tired" right now to write much more. BUT the reason I need to be up early is to walk in the "Step Up for Down Syndrome" walk, which happens to be coinciding with ASU's Homecoming Parade. So I get to walk down my favorite Tempe streets with an organization I believe in, and I get to do so with a dear friend.
I'm very much hoping tomorrow will be a good reminder of just how glad I am to be involved in the disability community. Today was one of those days that I sort of forgot what I was in this for. I need to recalibrate. And more importantly, I need to remind myself of the provision I have in the Lord. He has given me everything I need for life and godliness, and that includes the ability to work joyfully and without complaint at a job I love, even when I don't like it much on a given day. I can not only work joyfully and without complaint, but I can and should do this to the glory of the Lord. Praying that would be more true of me next week, and that tomorrow - so long as I'm not too tired - will be helpful in recharging me.
Ok, so I mostly forgot about blogging until right now, and need to be up at 5 tomorrow. So this is titled "too tired" for 2 reasons.
1) I felt "too tired" today - not really physically, as I had actually gotten a good night's sleep and had a fairly large mocha before work. But I was tired of everybody and everything at work (I'm 99.9% sure this is just temporary). There were some really fun moments with our Halloween festivities, but the day-to-day stuff in the room just exhausted me. I didn't want to take an hour convincing a client to open her mouth so I could feed her her lunch. I didn't want to do the extra toileting for people that I always do on Fridays when we're one staff short. I didn't want to be the only one who seems capable of pressing play on a DVD during movie time or of answering the phone when it rings. I was worn out, frustrated, frazzled, and disappointed in myself for the way I was responding to the people and situations around me.
2) I'm "too tired" right now to write much more. BUT the reason I need to be up early is to walk in the "Step Up for Down Syndrome" walk, which happens to be coinciding with ASU's Homecoming Parade. So I get to walk down my favorite Tempe streets with an organization I believe in, and I get to do so with a dear friend.
I'm very much hoping tomorrow will be a good reminder of just how glad I am to be involved in the disability community. Today was one of those days that I sort of forgot what I was in this for. I need to recalibrate. And more importantly, I need to remind myself of the provision I have in the Lord. He has given me everything I need for life and godliness, and that includes the ability to work joyfully and without complaint at a job I love, even when I don't like it much on a given day. I can not only work joyfully and without complaint, but I can and should do this to the glory of the Lord. Praying that would be more true of me next week, and that tomorrow - so long as I'm not too tired - will be helpful in recharging me.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
31 for 21: Not About Me
*I've joined a blogging challenge for the month of October: Blog every day in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (Down syndrome is medically defined as Trisomy 21, and there are 31 days in October, hence the name 31 for 21). My posts will not necessarily be about Down syndrome, but I am writing as a person who 1) loves many people w/Down syndrome and other disabilities and 2) desires for others to be able to see what I see: remarkably unique people with much to offer to the world*
If I'm perfectly honest, today was not one of my favorite birthdays. It ended well, dinner with two of my best friends, good conversation and delicious food. But the rest of the day was, well, just sort of mediocre. I am not a huge attention-seeker, but that doesn't mean I'm not an attention-DESIRER, especially on my birthday. And my birthday just sort of seemed like an afterthought throughout the work day. The clients were hardly aware of it, and the staff didn't go out of their way. There were a few sweet moments, but mostly it was just a normal day. And it was not absent of conflicts, of really frustrating moments with the clients,of growing weary of seeing some staff not work their hardest. Just a normal day.
Then in one of my sessions, my little client had had her routine messed with shortly before I arrived, which in turn caused her to bang her head on furniture, scream, scratch, pinch, slap, and hit me with a blanket and a pillow, while saying, 'Hit Krista with a pillow? Hit Krista with blanket?" Sigh. Happy birthday to me.
But you know what? It really isn't about me. Work is not about me. It's about the clients. And conflicts were resolved. And that session? Turned out it brought out some sort of emergency-creativity in me and turned into a really awesome music therapy process with that kid.
And more importantly, life isn't about me. I should really only want any positive attention directed away from me and toward the Lord. Anything else sort of teeters on a dangerous border of pride and selfishness and idolatry.
I love the verses I read this morning, verses found right in the midst of Job's ongoing reasoning and questioning of why the Lord has afflicted him:
"You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit." - Job 10:11-12
What else do I need? I have a Lord who created me, granted me life and steadfast love, and preserves my spirit through His care. And tomorrow will be another day much like today, and it also will not revolve around me. And let's be honest, that is absolutely as it should be.
If I'm perfectly honest, today was not one of my favorite birthdays. It ended well, dinner with two of my best friends, good conversation and delicious food. But the rest of the day was, well, just sort of mediocre. I am not a huge attention-seeker, but that doesn't mean I'm not an attention-DESIRER, especially on my birthday. And my birthday just sort of seemed like an afterthought throughout the work day. The clients were hardly aware of it, and the staff didn't go out of their way. There were a few sweet moments, but mostly it was just a normal day. And it was not absent of conflicts, of really frustrating moments with the clients,of growing weary of seeing some staff not work their hardest. Just a normal day.
Then in one of my sessions, my little client had had her routine messed with shortly before I arrived, which in turn caused her to bang her head on furniture, scream, scratch, pinch, slap, and hit me with a blanket and a pillow, while saying, 'Hit Krista with a pillow? Hit Krista with blanket?" Sigh. Happy birthday to me.
But you know what? It really isn't about me. Work is not about me. It's about the clients. And conflicts were resolved. And that session? Turned out it brought out some sort of emergency-creativity in me and turned into a really awesome music therapy process with that kid.
And more importantly, life isn't about me. I should really only want any positive attention directed away from me and toward the Lord. Anything else sort of teeters on a dangerous border of pride and selfishness and idolatry.
I love the verses I read this morning, verses found right in the midst of Job's ongoing reasoning and questioning of why the Lord has afflicted him:
"You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit." - Job 10:11-12
What else do I need? I have a Lord who created me, granted me life and steadfast love, and preserves my spirit through His care. And tomorrow will be another day much like today, and it also will not revolve around me. And let's be honest, that is absolutely as it should be.
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