On my birthday, May 22nd, the people who support me in my life got together to listen to my story and help me brainstorm my goals for my future. At first everyone was invited to say something about me. This is what they said. Doreen is: happy, smart, determined, upbeat, funny, generous, helpful, fun, likes painting, beautiful, likes to learn, loves cookies, great spirit, likes computers, likes the Maple Leafs, likes the Blue Jays, loves chocolate, patient, likes dancing, makes time for people, friendly and positive.
Here are some things I want to work on now in my life.
Work: I have the chance to use a headset in the telephone room at the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. Cindy could let me test out her phone from home. Contact the Goodwill about their training programs. Linda could help me look into my options through the SID program.
Housing: Get help filling out applications and getting on waiting lists; ask for help in order to find out what options are available; Paul could get me a Goldcrest application; I could visit homes that I would be interested in living in.
Relationships: Join clubs, groups and events with people who have the same interests; join a mouth painting class (the Mouth and Foot Painters); talk to Anne Abbott about any ideas that she may have; continue my participation in the clubs and groups that I am already in; go out more often; use the Internet as a way to talk to others; Susan suggested that I go to Frontier College more often; when I move into a new home I could join activities that they offer; in order to visit my family I need more staff support for overnight stays.
Rights: Talk to Tim, Cindy, Christina, Paul and Clarence when I have rights questions and learn more; attend rights workshops; get help from someone in order to read through literature about my rights; develop a list of advocates.
Community: Use SID and other friends in order to find more info about the activities I am interested in: keep being tutored by Maxine; get help filling out programs applications; talk to others about their ideas and possible contacts; go to more events at Frontier College.