Anyway... so a few years ago I had no intention of going to college but long story short... TB and LJ talked me into it. LJ was taking DSW at Loyalist and TB was already at Loyalist doing Architecture. So I applied to a few schools for DSW, Art, and ECE. I got into Sheridan for Art something or other. I got into Loyalist for DSW and ECE I think. I got waitlisted for something somewhere else that I didn't really want anyway. And I got into something else. My memory is not working so well on those details. So since I got into the same program LJ was going to, I figured I'd go to that.
When I looked into what to apply for, I read program descriptions and the DSW program that LJ was going to sounded really interesting since I'd helped with Boog since he was born. It focussed on supporting people with disabilities and I had thought about becoming a PT or OT before but didn't want to go to university so I thought DSW might be for me.
I'm EXTREMELY nervous in new situations so going somewhere where I knew people was my best bet. So essentially I followed LJ to college, but it worked out because I LOVED!!! my program. Turns out LJ hated it and dropped it after one semester and took a new program. But I was in love.
The DSW program was incredible. I met my best friend in it. I met other friends there that I still talk to through facebook but since I went to college an hour and a bit away from where I lived, I don't see them anymore. TB moved into a friend's house and I got to sublet his apartment so I had somewhere to live because it all went down VERY quickly and I almost had nowhere to live. So I moved there and met these awesome people and learned about such interesting things everyday :)
In high school my grades went from 90s in grade 9 to 60s in grade 12. So I was worried I wouldn't do well.
I was wrong.
My first semester my marks were all in the 90s, except for one in the 80s I think, and of course my three marks that were all 100%. I was so stoked! My parents were really happy I was doing so well. I was helping friends in my program edit papers and I was loving everything I was learning.
My professors were awesome. I liked them all... well... most of them. They told stories of people they knew, of their families, how they got there, institutions they shut down, people that impacted them, people they impacted. I just loved every second of it and absorbed so much.
My second year I had a couple classes and four two-month placements that were four-days a week/full day placements. It was essentially a full time job in our field. I adored three of my four and the one I despised was no suprise. I like the people I worked with at the hated placement, but the "agency" I was not a fan of.
So I graduated after two years with my Developmental Services Diploma and my Applied Medications Certificate (I can administer medication, excluding injection meds, but including suppositories/enemas lucky me!) with a GPA of 92%. It's the thing I'm most proud of I think.
Once I got there I realized how much it would help me with my family and Boog. I could help my mom advocate for Boog, and help him when he got older and was able to advocate for himself. If something ever happens to Maja and Fluff then I become Boog's guardian (with help from MM and Bamba but mostly me) so what I learned is handy.
So while I went into the program following LJ, I realized very soon after that it was a great program for me and it quickly became learning more about the things I could absorb to pass on to Boog and Maja. While I had an interested in working with people with disabilities, I didn't have much experience with anyone other than Boog but I thought the program would be helpful exposing me to the various disabilities I could come across, and what I could do to make a difference in people's lives.
So Boog kinda led me to a great college program and I want to continue my education in university in a couple years. He led me to a field that I think I can make an impact in. I hope to help him advocate for himself, and I hope to help others and impact anyone's life I can.
I was never so conceited that I only thought I'd impact someone's life. I knew from Boog that other people can have such a huge affect on you and completely change you and your opinions. I had a feeling I'd be "affected" by the program and have some pretty cool moments. But I never dreamed my professors' stories would touch my heart so much. And I never expected that I would have such an amazing connection with a few people that I still think of at least once a week that I met on my placement. The people with disabilities that I spent 6 hours a day with, for four days of the week, for 2 months..... they impacted me, in a huge way!! I will never be the same after meeting some of the people I have.
And while I know and respect that confidentiality is crucial, important, and exists for a reason... sometimes I wish we didn't have to sign confidentiality papers, because the amazingness of these people... I just want everyone to know how awesome they are! But I would never dream of breaking those contracts I signed. :) But I do miss hanging out with certain people everyday.
So long, long story short... after all that, I love learning about disabilities. I love that my program helped me learn more about what's to come with Boog's schooling, and future after graduating high school. I love that I can help people advocate. And I'm glad I know the sad, crushing, heart-wrenching, awful, terrible things that I know about how people in the past were treated when their disability was diagnosed. It made me real, it made me sad, it made me appreciate, and it made me bound and determined that we can't go back to how we used to be.
I will most likely be making posts about disability stuff because it's such a big interest of mine and I think everyone can benefit from learning about more info. I will post things I learned, things I learn as I go, and things to know that might open your eyes or think about things differently. I will post websites. I will post wording that a group of people with disabilities say is what they prefer to be "called" or "referred to". I will tell you what I prefer in my experience with schooling and Boog.
If you ever have any questions at all about disabilities, special education, DSW program... anything in regards to any of that... please don't hesitate to ask me because I love talking about it (as you can probably tell) and I would much rather someone ask a honest (even if nervous/awkward phrasing and asking lol, I've gotten that before.. the "I don't know what to say or call it but what is such in such?") question than assume something incorrect.
This is probably ALL over the place but I'll try to edit it in a few days to be a little easier to follow.
