End of a Productive Summer and Excited for School

     I had a very busy summer. My first job was the greatest job ever being a day camp counselor/instructor at the local park district. I reaffirmed my dream of working with kids for the rest of my life! Kids are so fun to be around. They make me feel like a kid again, and this is very rewarding! I am definitely going to try do this job again next summer! It was such an exceptional and valuable experience for me. Even though I did work for just a few weeks, I learned a lot about myself and working with kids. This summer, I also wrote my senior thesis research paper for my psychology undergraduate degree. It was really complicated and stressful, but I managed to get it completed on time. I would say this has been my most productive summer of my life. I actually am the type of person who loves being very busy. If I am not busy, I get bored and forget I have a purpose in this life. Getting my first job helped me realize my individual worth to society. This is not to say you need a job to be a worthwhile person. When I did not have a job, I was unhealthily  obsessed with getting a job. How does this tie into the disability population? It is the case that me and other people with disabilities see ourselves as being able to work like abled-bodied individuals. We desperately desire to prove to the world we can support ourselves just like most everyone else. However, we must strive to not compare ourselves to other people. I fell into this trap countless times! 

    Next Monday, I start another fall semester at Benedictine University! I am very excited to make friends and serve on Student Senate again! It has been challenging to make friends ever since COVID-19 started, so I am hoping this will be easier this year! Have a great week! Remember you are beloved by God! 

Working with the Youth is my Calling

     I have always loved working with children and adolescents for many reasons. One of them is that I deeply cherish my own childhood and miss being a kid. Another reason is I realize young people need guidance and role models because their brains are developing at a rapid rate. Most of child and adolescent development depend on external factors including learning, parent influence, and peer pressure. This is my primary reason I love working with young people. Their developing brains encourage society's perception that kids are innocent. 

Yesterday was my first day being a day camp counselor. My unique role is to lead an activity for groups of kids. Soon after I started talking, I began to feel a sense of deep curiosity from the kids. I could already tell we were forming a connection with each other! They were so  patient and respectful of me! I thought they would be nervous and unsure of me because of my disability. I already love my job! 

Life is so Good Right Now

     This past month, I have been down about not having a job and my tutoring business not doing well. On Tuesday, that all changed! I was interviewed by the local park district to be a camp counselor, and they hired me! I was elated when I heard the news! This will be my first real job. Why was I so anxious and feeling bad about myself for not working? I should have been patient and trusted God more. No one should measure their self worth on whether or not they are working. I was making this big mistake. Anyway, I am so excited to start working! My awesome sister is going to help me! 

    God has made my life so great in so many ways! I am so blessed, loved, and cherished by Him. Every day, I try to show my Lord gratitude by praising His name and sharing His word with other people. 

Overturning of Roe vs. Wade is a Victory for Life

     As a proud citizen of the United States, I respect all other Americans regardless of their political views. Roe vs. Wade has been a controversial topic for decades in my great nation. At the very beginning of the United States, our founding fathers composed The Declaration of Independence claiming that each man and woman created by God has the three basic rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. I believe that the Supreme Court's initial decision on Roe vs. Wade decades ago was a clear violation of the right to life. I know life begins at the moment of conception. God has a plan for all His children even before they are in their mother's womb. So many Americas believe it is up to the woman whether or not to carry her pregnancy to full term. This is not the case. The medical and social science professional communities have recognized that unborn babies are human beings. 

    After the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, so many people are angry because they believe that women should have the right to terminate their unwanted child. This moral travesty pierces my heart. Especially as an individual with a disability, I know every human life deserves to be dignified and respected. Many of my good friends have disabilities like Down syndrome and autism which are common conditions where expecting mothers choose to abort their babies. Each of these friends are living flourishing lives despite their disabilities. It is not our fault that we have disabilities! American society must cherish life at all stages, not just after children are born. I just want people who are pro-choice to truly consider what the pro-life community believes about abortion. I am hopeful that more Americans will come to realize the truth about abortion. Please no hateful or disrespectful comments. Thank you! 

Having an Impact on Others

    One of my goals in my life is having a positive impact on other people. From a young age, my parents always taught me to treat other people like yourself. Throughout my life  , I have strived to live by this important rule of thumb. I make people more fulfilled in their lives by showing them respect, helping them grow spiritually, and advocating for their needs. I actually love doing these kind deeds! They make me feel fulfilled. Most people are good, but they tend to underestimate the importance of kindness.   

    My disability does not not inhibit me from having an impact on others. In a way, my disablity makes it easier because other people are drawn to me. They are interested in my life story. I am so blessed that God gave me all of my abilities! 

Summer Plans and Hopefully Working

     Summer is finally here! I have a lot of plans to occupy this season. I just applied to be a tutor, and I think I got the job. It will be awesome to finally have a job. I am so blessed that I am able to contribute to society well despite my disability. As a disabled person, I feel bad that a lot of other disabled people are discriminated against when they try to attain a job just because they are disabled. This is unacceptable! All people disabled or not deserve the right to work! Thank you, God, for all of my strengths as a well-rounded individual!

    As far as my other plans, I hope I will spend a lot of time with friends. COVID-19 has restricted my social life long enough! My family has a weekly movie night. I am so blessed I have so many great people in my life!  

Be Kind to yourself and Other People

     I have been really feeling down lately and I am not sure why. My parents keep telling me it is normal to feel down some of the time. We all feel sad sometimes. I am tired of feeling this way. I have been talking with a neuropsychologist which helps a lot. However, I will not let that sadness define who I am. In a way, our own sadness makes us more empathetic for those who are going through similar situations as us. It is super important to be kind to yourself as well as other people. 

You are made for great things!

     Since I am a devoted Christian, I believe we are made for something greater than ourselves! Whether you are a Christian or something else, I respect you as your own individual. There must be more general acceptance of all people regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, and gender. Watching the news about the atrocities of Russia's war in Ukraine creates a murmur of anguish in my God-given heart! How could anyone believe this is acceptable behavior? Russian President Vladmir Putin must back off, and halt his hateful authority over the Russian army! Even Putin was made for good by God, but he is disrespecting his maker in Heaven. We all must strive for goodness in everything that we do! Please comment, sharing a troublesome news story you have seen and what you would like to see change. Thank you! 

My Faith

     I have so many good things in my life going for me! But, occasionally I feel down. When I am feeling down, I turn to my Catholic faith. My family instilled my faith in me from a very young age. Lately, since I have been out of the hospital, I have been feeling down about all the changes I went through like getting a trach and not being able to go to school. I try to remind myself that My Savior Jesus Christ voluntarily chose to endure the most horrific evils in the world. Anyway, my faith gives me a sense of purpose, community, and friendship. My faith makes me get up every morning and want to serve God. If any of you want to, check my new Bible Study Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Jack4Jesus. I believe one of my purposes in my life is to spread the Word of God to others.  

Isolation During COVID-19 and Perseverance

     For many of us around the world, COVID-19 has definitely impacted our mental health. From our workplace to our home life, this virus has really crushed us hard! I have learned to look at things from the bright side! I have had more time to be with my family which is always good! I feel bad for individuals who do not have a home. We need to give thanks to God for the things we have. 

    Since I have had to drop my classes, I really had time to learn what I want to learn. It has been good to have some peaceful time to myself! There is always a bright side to everything in life! Always be positive especially during the lowest points in your life! 

    Perseverance is one of the hallmarks of being a strong-willed person. Because of my cerebral palsy, I have had to develop lots of perseverance. A lot of individuals without disabilities don't know how hard it is for us (individuals with disabilities) to attempt to live a normal life. This is why individuals with disabilities must be patient with other people with disabilities. I love my disability because it has made me into a stronger person! 

Hey again after a while!

     Hey everyone! I know it has been a long time since my last post, but I feel I should give it another try! These past 3 weeks I have been in the hospital because I had pneumonia and an excess in carbon dioxide. It was very scary, but my parents helped get me through this tough time! I am so blessed that God put the right people in my life! Unfortunately, I had to drop my classes because it would have been impossible to catch up. This experience made me a more patient human being since I had been isolated for almost a month! Now, I am home just chilling with my parents, and I am so grateful to have a nice and warm home! 

     We should all live every day like it is our last because not a moment goes by when we know God may take us. Cherish every good moment with happiness, love, gratitude, and hope! Love your loved ones unconditionally with thankfulness and mercy! Be nice to those who are sick and yearn for sympathy. Try not being too hard on yourself because life is too precious for that! Thank you so much for reading!