Success in the funniest places!

As most of you know, I have held a job at Walgreens since I was 16 years old, but in recent years I have found it though nice to have a job, kind of boring because all I would do is greet customers. I did not feel useful and began dreading the time I spent there until Red Nose Day came along. Last year Walgreens started becoming a partner with Red Nose. Red Nose Day is a day set aside for people to donate to children in the US and all over the world. I donated tons last year but this year it became more intense and I was beginning to feel I really had a purpose at work. Though the job is not difficult to do, it is fun for me because every time I go to work I have a little game with it, telling my family and friends how many I sold that day and for those of you that are friends with me on Facebook know that I have been keeping you up to date on my latest sales. I never would have thought that just a small job like this would not only make me feel good as an employee but do so much good for the United States and beyond. For the past several months, my boss saw how well I was doing with the Red Nose selling that he has increased my hours to at least 2 times a week, sometime having 8 hour shifts at a time, which is the most I have ever worked in one period. It feels so good to be wanted and to know that I am doing something good for others in need. Now my only concern is what I am going to do when this is all over. How will I stay motivated to go to work? This is the last week of the Red Nose sales and I am kind of sad knowing that this is the end but I know that it was all for a good cause and I know that because this campaign was so well received by others that it will happen again next year. It was so nice to see so many generous people giving money even if it was just a dollar. It makes me feel good knowing that with all the hate going on in the world that there are kind people who really care about others. As for me I don't know what I will be doing at Walgreens after this week but I can sleep soundly knowing that I did good for others and the fact that I am getting an adjustable bed on Wednesday of this week!! I don't know who is more excited, me or my dad! Thank you to my parents for getting me this type of bed which I have wanted for sometime now, and thank you thank you thank you to all the people that have donated to the Red Nose campaign, I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you for donating to this cause and finding the inner child in yourselves. On that note, I hope that even after the donations are finished and the campaign is done, that you continue to stay seriously silly.

With love and gratitude!

Jessi

Hidden Gifts

One of my friends who does not know me very well yet, asked me if I get upset about my situation.  She said that every time she sees me I always seem so happy and put together. That my friends, is what this post is about.  Yes, there are times when I get upset about my situation especially when people see me and think I can't do something based on what they see or think about me.  Like when people do things behind my back because they think I am not smart enough to figure out what they are doing.  

I also have a very difficult time with transitions. For example,  when I went from middle school to high school or high school to college or the decision to live on my own.  Every time I went through one of these changes I was faced with the reality that I would have to do these things differently than everyone else around me and to this day,  I guess that is why I don't like change.

When I was a teenager, I often thought to myself, wouldn't it be easier if I could go through life with out CP? Today my answer to this is yes it probably would be easier not to have CP. I wouldn't have to have someone help me in the bathroom or with anything physical for that matter, but the question here is, would I be as patient as I am?  Would I be as understanding as I am?  Would I be as creative as I am?  Would I work to advocate for people with disabilities?  Would I be a dancer?  Would I be a public speaker?  Would I make other people laugh?  Since I don't know the answer to any of these questions I am happy to stay the way I am.  I do not want to be cured.  Look at all of the qualities I might not have if I were not exactly as I am. I am a firm believer that everyone with a disability was given one for a reason. I believe that part of my purpose is to help teach other people that underneath my challenges I have hidden gifts and talents just like they do and I want to live a good life too.  

One of the hardest things about living on my own is having to negotiate with all of my assistant's personalities.  The other day I was able to use one of my hidden gifts and it felt incredible.  I was able to make one of my assistants laugh which meant a lot to me because for whatever reason, she doesn't usually laugh or smile.  So in honor of March being CP Awareness Month,  embrace your hidden gifts and use them to your advantage and when you wear green for St. Patrick's Day please remember that the green you are wearing is also for people with CP.

Thank you

Proud to have CP.

-Jessi

Questions...

A lot of you know the reason why I like to write but a lot of you still ask me how I do it. For me writing my blog is a process,  but I wouldn't change it for the world.  It is a three step process.  The first step is making sure I have an interesting topic for you, the readers.  It is probably the easiest part for me but sometimes I do get writer's block.  Yes my friends it does exist!

The second step is probably the most interesting for you and the one that takes the most patience, time and energy.  It is actually writing what you see each month.  You see I can only type using my left pointer finger.  So, I use a program called Co:Writer it predicts the words I am trying to type giving me four choices at a time with verbal feedback.  Even this takes a long time and therefore I very rarely finish a post in one day and if I do,  it is usually on a day where I don't have much else going on.  Sometimes I will have someone write what I  want to say on a piece of paper before I type it but usually it comes straight from my mind.  

When I do it in one sitting it can take up to three hours!

The third step in the process is sending the blog to my mom and/or brother for editing.  I would suggest this step to anyone who wants to start a blog of their own.  Do not send a post without someone you trust looking at it first because you never know who's going to read it.

Another question people ask me is if it ever bothers me to be in the Children Shows and/or classes at MOMENTA.   My answer is this.  Sometimes I get a little upset because  I feel that dancing with the younger dancers does not really give me the opportunity to show my real capability as a dancer.  However, most of the time that really doesn't bother me because I know that by me just being in the show with the younger dancers teaches them from a very young age about inclusion and that Everyone Can Dance.  This means a lot to me.  Yet, in my weekly classes I do not feel an age difference at all.  Once we hit the dance floor age goes out the window and we are just dancers it is a wonderful thing. 

Happy leap year!

Love-

Jessi

The Time is Always Right... To Do What is Right

Dear Readers,

When I was in college studying Human Services, in my classes we talked about something called "INTENTIONAL WORK ".  Intentional work means that you use your whole being to   pick something that you like to do.  Otherwise, the work is not considered intentional.

This month, I had a few experiences in which I felt the intentional work of people around me. Let me share. 

The first experienced I had was at the culmination of the ADA 25 Chicago Celebration. There I had the privilege of seeing Itzhak Perlman play with the Juilliard Orchestra.  It was amazing to see and hear the intentional work that was before me.  Whether it was talking about the ADA or just playing music, I could tell that Itzhak wasn't just doing his job, his heart and soul was in it!  After the winter break from dance this year, I couldn't get my body to do what I wanted it to do, but then I thought about Itzhak and how he never seems to give up. I said to myself, "I can't give up."  That's how I feel about the people who organized the whole concept of ADA 25. The whole year, they were looking for ways to make a difference to be intentional, and change perceptions about people with disabilities. That really means a lot to me and others with disabilities because we feel that even though they were small steps they were wonderful steps in the right direction and a great example of intentional work.

Another example was at my Temple on Martin Luther King Weekend. During this time I had the experience of celebrating this holiday with a nearby church.  Though we are different religions and may pray differently our communities came together for the greater good to honor a wonderful man. I think if he was alive today, he would be very proud of the intentional work our two communities produced that night. I truly believe that evening, we were one community. 

I cannot end this post without talking about a friend of mine who dances with me, his name is Kris Lenzo.  He is a double amputee but more importantly he's an artist, and he doesn't let his disability interfere with his life. Besides being a terrific dancer, he works out at the gym serval times a week and does hand cycling to stay active.  He has amazing strengths both inside and out with a loving personality,  plus a sense of humor that draws everyone to him.  He's an amazing advocate for people with disabilities.  His latest project is working with his daughter to create a documentary film series to change the idea of what people may think about people with disabilities and drawing awareness to their true skills and talents.   Like me, he's a strong believer in helping the world to see that everyone can dance.

Finally, I would like to share an important story that even though it's not a personal one, it is a wonderful example of intentional work.  I'm referring to the 3 E Love International Day of Acceptance.  The creator of 3 E Love decided to create a day in memory of his sister,  who originally came up with the concept behind 3 E Love AKA Embrace, Educate, Empower, Love Life. The Wheelchair Heart symbol. This helps everyone to see that we are all human at the end of the day. January 20th is a day for the creator to remember his sister and a day where all people with disabilities can feel accepted and be proud of who they are. This is a very special day to people with all types of disabilities. My only wish is that one day we can live in a world where there doesn't have to be recognition for acceptance and it can be the norm. Though we have gotten very far in the past 25 years, we still have a long, long way to go but if we didn't have these experiences and the people that made a difference we wouldn't be where we are today and for that, I am extremely proud and grateful. Good job to all those who have done and continue to do, intentional work everyday. Just remember as we go through 2016 together we can make a difference!

~ Jessi

Winter Solstice

Dear Readers, 

Even though I am an adult I still love giving and receiving gifts at this time of year,  because it makes me feel like a kid again.  As I was opening my Hanukkah gifts and enjoying the beautiful lights that lay before me I realized we are all like lights.  We are all beautiful in are own way.  However, if we are not given the chance to do something special once in a while, we won't be good to anyone and we will eventually burn out.  As most of you know,  I believe in the power of traditions because it gives us something to look forward to. If we have a yearly tradition this time of year it gives us a chance to start over and recharge are batteries so that we can become even better people in the coming year.   Last year I believe I did not get the chance to properly recharge because I was unable to visit my friend Paula for our Annual New Year's Celebration and unfortunately we had to break our tradition that we have had for so many years.  Even though I enjoyed my New Years with my family the whole time I was thinking there was something missing about the night.  It was then that I made a promise to myself and to Paula that this would not happen again and those of you that know me know... I do not like breaking promises.  A few months ago when a friend of mine lost a friend,  I was reminded of my promise and how valuable friendships really are.  

So now I can happily say that I did not open my favorite Hanukkah gift yet,  because I will have to wait until New Year's Eve but that is okay with me because to me the gift of friendship is priceless. Thank you to everyone who is making this trip possible.  As they say, good things happen to those who wait.  So as you enjoy the lights of the season, think about how you can recharge and be the light you want to be this year.  Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night.  

Love,

Jessi

Been away for awhile... opening the key

Dear Readers,
I've have been compiling these stories for the last few months.  As an introduction to my new blog and my new home, I give lots to read and digest over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Hopefully, with friends, family and a belly full of good food and lots to be thankful for. 

One of my promises to you when I first started writing in the blog format is that I would be honest with you and share the good, the bad, the excellent, and the ugly, so you would get a real sense of how I was feeling,  as a person with a disability who lives on her own .

Even though this blog is completely new and I am starting a new chapter in my life I am still going to write with those principles in mind. Today's entry is kind of like a poem.  
It is called "I feel like a Butterfly".     

So here it is.....    

Like a butterfly

I know I need to spread my wings

To be open to possibilities and opportunities for myself.

I am excited for this new chance to spread my wings.

But like a butterfly I want to fold my wings back together.

And go back to the familiar although I know this is not possible

Like a butterfly I am excited for new experiences to come my way.

Like a butterfly that goes from one flower to the next.

But I feel very delicate and fragile like they are.

However, I know with your love, support and guidance you will all help me to spread my wings to the best of my ability.  

I want to thank my grandparents, parents, and my dad's friends for helping me move smoothly into this transition.

Even though i am very fragile right now as I go through all these changes, I finally have a house I call my own.

                                   ...The Fragile Butterfly   

                                             "The Inner War"

Sometimes I feel I am dealing with a war,  whether it be in my body, trying to be loose while feeling extremely tight, fighting that battle or talking to people Who don't like the way I do things.  Living that type of war can be very emotionally taxing.  Especially when you have to tell the same person over and over again; I often feel like I am talking to a brick wall in both the physical and the social situations that I am faced with.This can be very frustrating and very tiring. How do I get through it?  Sometimes I still wonder, and sometimes I want to give up; especially if it's been a bad day, but I have my spiritual outlet, my dance outlet and my yoga outlet, that together, help me find peace within the ever crazy circumstances of the week.

                                             "The Sitting Port de bras"

As most of you know, I love to dance. One of the components that I love about dance is the sitting Port de bras. Even though I love integrated dance and having to create my own movements to accomplish what other dancers are doing to get the same feeling. I like the sitting Port de bras because I don't have to change anything.  We are all at the same level. We are all enjoying the simple movements, nothing has to be changed. It is very simple, but it is something I can do and just be able to dance.

                                    "The Exploration of Dance"

Dance is an exploration, of the minute you step on the dance floor you are exploring the history of dance, by what your teachers tell you has been passed down from generations. It is an exploration of how to move your body in certain patterns. It is an exploration of creativity if you are a choreographer. That is why I love dance because you can always strive to be better than you were before.  One of my friends said, "Dancers can always improve, even the best."  This is why I think dance is really an exploration.

Finally the last exploration part of dance is your spirit. If you don't use your spirit while dancing and explore movement through that way, in my opinion, you are not truly dancing. So there's an exploration of the mind, body and spirit every time you step on the dance floor.                

Something you may not know about me or find surprising is that I absolutely love country music and for the longest time I didn't understand why I did but a few days ago that all changed.  I couldn't do much because my wheelchair was broken so I decided to listen to some music. After listening to some of my favorite country songs I realized why I liked it so much.  I like it because a lot of country artists are down to earth.  Many even write their own songs and they often are about over coming challenges, freedom and relationships and are often sung by a cute guy about my age!!  So that is why whenever I am having a bad day I often turn to country.  While I am on the topic of country I would like to thank my dad for getting me and my friend Hannah,  tickets to the Luke Bryant concert. It was amazing!  I would also like to thank Hannah and Amy for coming over while my chair was broken.  You guys are the best. 

In honor of Thanksgiving I am thankful for a chair that now works, my family and friends and country music.  What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving to all.