April 20.2020
I went into this journey of life with an open book and many unexpected blessings and miracles. When my parents received my diagnoses they had no idea what a disability was let alone "Cerebral Palsy" . My parents were born and raised in the Caribbean where disability is invisible and a scene of shame so of course they went in to not only adapting to a whole new world better yet raising me with an open book. Their is no instruction to taking care of a child with a disability. So an open book is needed.
To be honest growing up I always talked about how I wanted to become a lawyer and write my own book. Most of my life I heard about the things I can't do instead of sharing bright possibilities with me. I heard as a kid doctors said you will never be able to talk,walk, see, hear and play like other children. My favorite thought after these statements is what is normal anyway. Despite feeling invisible during my time in public school. In my senior year reality hit me truly of how the world view individuals with disabilities. Despite receiving certificate of achievement and was inducted into high school society. I graduated top 10 of my of my graduating class.. receiving a local diploma.. yet the only option that the school based support team but on the table to address at my last IEP meeting was a day program. We spoke about a few about my plans and it was that I plan to be employed if not I'll accept my seat at Kingsborough Community College. My motto in my high school graduating path was "there is no more turning back" It's clear from there I went into not only trailblazing on wheels but rolling into life within an open book. I started getting strongly involved in advocacy work serving on committees and councils, receiving certificates in Youth advocacy, became very involved on my college campus especially when it came to the Accessibility office. I was involved with identifying accessibility issues on my campus. I even became a Student Ambassador and was able to go on a weekend retreat with the rest of my peers who was student ambassadors as well. So college really open doors and granted me opportunities I never thought I could fit into.
I became a Reading Partners tutor as part of a service learning program. Here is where I found my love for kids and passion to go into the education field besides having my amazing 7 years old niece. I applied for the for the Summer Youth Employment Program and was hired to work for my 2 years straight it gave hope that I can show the world I am capable of doing the job so they can hire more people with disabilities. I traveled on my first international mission in 2017. In Oct 2017- 2019 I became Ms Wheelchair NY 2018. I got accepted to serve on the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in May of 2018. In September 2019 when my reign ended my crown retired but the work of promoting self advocacy into schools and making them more inclusive.. search for a job that doors were open too but was not full filling at time. I rolled back fearlessly into what I was so overwhelmed.. what I thought I failed at. What I thought I could do? What I was broken by the journey of college battling in between scheduling my personal care and dealing with challenges that comes with my disability. I was ready to go deep into my battles and win. Even show the world I can do it! It more to share about what I discovered in my college path
In January of 2020 I accepted a position to be a self advocacy lead for region 4 with the Regional Workforce Transformation Center
Today May 5.2020 I received an official e-mail from the The Kingsborough Community College Reverse Transfer team reverse transfer team reviewed my academic record and received my transfer credits as well and they stated I am officially eligible to earn my associates degree as of June 2020.
Speechless with joy but proud emotions..as i truly am
Rolling through life with an open book
I went into this journey of life with an open book and many unexpected blessings and miracles. When my parents received my diagnoses they had no idea what a disability was let alone "Cerebral Palsy" . My parents were born and raised in the Caribbean where disability is invisible and a scene of shame so of course they went in to not only adapting to a whole new world better yet raising me with an open book. Their is no instruction to taking care of a child with a disability. So an open book is needed.
To be honest growing up I always talked about how I wanted to become a lawyer and write my own book. Most of my life I heard about the things I can't do instead of sharing bright possibilities with me. I heard as a kid doctors said you will never be able to talk,walk, see, hear and play like other children. My favorite thought after these statements is what is normal anyway. Despite feeling invisible during my time in public school. In my senior year reality hit me truly of how the world view individuals with disabilities. Despite receiving certificate of achievement and was inducted into high school society. I graduated top 10 of my of my graduating class.. receiving a local diploma.. yet the only option that the school based support team but on the table to address at my last IEP meeting was a day program. We spoke about a few about my plans and it was that I plan to be employed if not I'll accept my seat at Kingsborough Community College. My motto in my high school graduating path was "there is no more turning back" It's clear from there I went into not only trailblazing on wheels but rolling into life within an open book. I started getting strongly involved in advocacy work serving on committees and councils, receiving certificates in Youth advocacy, became very involved on my college campus especially when it came to the Accessibility office. I was involved with identifying accessibility issues on my campus. I even became a Student Ambassador and was able to go on a weekend retreat with the rest of my peers who was student ambassadors as well. So college really open doors and granted me opportunities I never thought I could fit into.
I became a Reading Partners tutor as part of a service learning program. Here is where I found my love for kids and passion to go into the education field besides having my amazing 7 years old niece. I applied for the for the Summer Youth Employment Program and was hired to work for my 2 years straight it gave hope that I can show the world I am capable of doing the job so they can hire more people with disabilities. I traveled on my first international mission in 2017. In Oct 2017- 2019 I became Ms Wheelchair NY 2018. I got accepted to serve on the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in May of 2018. In September 2019 when my reign ended my crown retired but the work of promoting self advocacy into schools and making them more inclusive.. search for a job that doors were open too but was not full filling at time. I rolled back fearlessly into what I was so overwhelmed.. what I thought I failed at. What I thought I could do? What I was broken by the journey of college battling in between scheduling my personal care and dealing with challenges that comes with my disability. I was ready to go deep into my battles and win. Even show the world I can do it! It more to share about what I discovered in my college path
In January of 2020 I accepted a position to be a self advocacy lead for region 4 with the Regional Workforce Transformation Center
Today May 5.2020 I received an official e-mail from the The Kingsborough Community College Reverse Transfer team reverse transfer team reviewed my academic record and received my transfer credits as well and they stated I am officially eligible to earn my associates degree as of June 2020.
Speechless with joy but proud emotions..as i truly am
Rolling through life with an open book
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