The Time I Got There By Myself
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I started the PAES (Practical Assessment and Exploration System) program about a year ago. I was excited to try the program that would teach me different skills that would help me in a workplace and at home. I'm able to be in this program with a lot of support because people believe in me and I believe in myself. When I started the program, I rode the Handi van with Miss. C, my PCA (Personal Care Assistant) or my parents dropped me off. Once there, Miss C would help me walk up to the room and stay with me throughout the day. Slowly overtime, I gained small bits of independence like not having my parents drop me off, riding the Handi Van by myself and even completing tasks at PAES (Practical Assessment and Exploration System) on my own. Doing these things by myself made me feel proud after I was able to do them but thinking about them made me feel a little bit nervous, anxious and a little bit scared. I felt confident after I got out of the car walking to and from PAES.
Today I walked from the cab straight to the glass doors and entered the building for PAES by myself. In the elevator, I independently pushed the sixth-floor button. After getting out, I found my way to the correct room where Ms. C. met me and started my day. Before beginning work on the sixth part of placing pegs on the pegboard, I talked with the ladies. I also sat at the table by the sewing machine to charge my BrailleNote and take a short break. Before leaving PAES, I told everyone I was leaving and checked the status of the handi van. I then walked to the elevator and pushed the brailled main-floor button on my own. When I exited the building, I went straight to the glass doors and waited independently for the Handi Van Ms. C. was very proud of how independent I was.
Here is the day I FINALLY DID IT! I felt accomplished because I walked to and from PAES by myself. At first it was a little hard because I started to go through the glass doors but then stopped, listened, and tried to remember where I was. Once I remembered, I found my way to the elevator and pressed the sixth-floor button. When I was upstairs, Mom called me and told me good job, which made me feel better. Today I also did the whole program by myself. I completed customer contacts by inputting information on my braille note, used Seeing AI to complete tasks and other duties. I remembered to do it with confidence. Big feelings can happen when we try something new, but they are something we can learn to handle. What I learned today is to keep trying, because I know I can do it again.
As always, Ms. Marri and Travelvisions Aloha want people to know that we're capable of living full and happy lives, so keep reading my blog to find out about more adventures! —Kelly
