LATEST POSTS
Looking Back, Never Forgetting, and Moving Forward! An Interview with Rosanna “Rosie” Ryan
“I have a lot of friends and support. I am involved in People First, an organization by and for people with developmental disabilities. I speak up for myself and others.”
From Not Knowing to The Awareness Show
“I decided to start a Podcast. The first episode of the Awareness Show Podcast aired 13 years ago and now there are over 115 episodes. I’ve interviewed everyone from self-advocates to celebrities including the actress Donna Mills from Knots Landing and Dawn Wells who played MaryAnn on Gilligan’s Island!”
Becoming Alex the Poet
THE HEART OF A TART
Delectable dessert
Much more sumptuous
Than a desert
Glorious food
Easy as pie
A joy to enjoy
Beneath the sky,
And the love it takes
To make a tart
Might not necessarily be
A piece of cake,
But baking takes
Patience and time,
But no need to dwell
Over making mistakes,
A Journey to Greater Career Fulfillment
“For those of you just starting out, it can help to talk with friends and family about what you like to do. It doesn’t have to necessarily be about what job you like to do. Sometimes, even general conversations can help you figure out what you might be interested in.”
The Gift of Defying Expectations by Joel Henderson
During my life, I have had great experiences. There are way too many to put in this short story. But a few are worth mentioning. My father and I walked from San Diego to Los Angeles. It was just the two of us, and he pushed my chair and did everything we needed on the trip.
Flexibility, Creativity, and Persistence are Key to Employment Success! An Interview with Prabjoat “P.J.” Swan
“Working has made my life busier, and that makes me happy. It makes me focus. I like meeting new people and making new friends makes me happy.”
Policarpo Despaigne’s Self-Determination Program Experience
VIDEO: Policarpo Despaigne’s Self-Determination Program Experience
Person Driven Planning: A Family Members’ Perspective
VIDEO: Person Driven Planning: A Family Members’ Perspective
Living my Best Self-Determined Life!
I have a part-time job and have transportation, so I can get to work on my own. I have a few personal assistants that drive me to outings. We go out into the community to do the things that I enjoy when I want to do them, not on someone else’s schedule.
Meet Kion!
He is in the Self-Determination Program (SDP). Kion is an independent thinker, sensitive to sound, lights, tastes, and smells. He is persistent, rule bound, and very friendly. Kion is currently on a children’s team in Modesto. Kion started the Self-Determination Program May 1, 2022.