Virginia Living Museum/Job interview!!!!

I've been working on finding a job with Sandy, my job counselor. Today I met her at the library and she told me that I am going to be able to have a job interview at The Virginia Living Museum!!!! (click on the word museum to get to their web-site).

I'm so excited!!! And I'm also very nervous!!!! This is my very first job interview. My interview is going to be on September 7th. Sandy is going to be at my interview with me so that I won't be so scared. My job would be to work on weekends at birthday parties at the museum and help explain about animals that we bring in to the party.

This afternoon my mom and I went to visit the museum to see what it was like. I've been there before but it was a long time ago. Do you want to know what I think about it? I think it is a really cool place!!! I think I would really love working there. I have lots of experience working with animals and children so this job is perfect.

I met a really nice young man working at the museum named Harrell. I told him about my job interview and he said that it is a wonderful place to work. He has worked there 2 years. I told him I had some disabilities and I was nervous. He said he has disabilities too and that the people at the museum have been wonderful to him. That made me feel so much better to know that.

For the next 2 weeks I need to practice my interview skills so I won't freeze during the interview. If people could email me or write comments on my blog with some good interview questions for me to answer I would really appreciate it. I want to write down lots of questions and answers to keep going over. I will post the questions and answers on the blog so other people with disabilities can use them to practice with too. (see below for some ideas what to do and NOT to do at a job interview.)

Wish me luck on September 7th and I'll let you know what happens!


love,

Daniela

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America's Got Talent Connor Doran Audition

This is Connor's first audition. I thought you'd like to see this too, because his mom and Connor talk. See my other post below for more about Connor.

Connor Doran ~ America's Got Talent Semi-finalist

This past week my mom and I watched America's Got Talent together and saw a young man named Connor Doran perform an indoor kite flying routine that wowed the judges and the crowd. The next night he was chosen for the semi-finals.  He has a seizure disability and has worked so hard to make this come true.  This video shows the results. He was so nice to the other contestant~

America's Got Talent - Week 12: Results 3 - Video - NBC.com

He really inspired me to work hard even when things get difficult.

Please watch the semifinals and vote for Connor and tell all your family and friends who deal with disabilities to vote as well!

Connor is now my friend on Facebook. Also my mom emailed his mom and she emailed right back! They are a wonderful family.

Thank you!!!!!


love,

Daniela

Part 2 - The Youth Summit

 

Visiting the Senate Office Building

 A statue of Helen Keller at the Capitol

With my new Friends

With Kyle and Cory - two very nice young men

With the Staffers for Senators Webb and Warner and Cory and Jasmine

The Chamber of the Congressional Judiciary Committee

With Heather Sawyer. Judiciary Committee Counsel and Zachary

Here are some more pictures from last weekend. These are some of the people that I met. I also included a picture of the statue of Helen Keller. She was a great role model for people with disabilities.
She overcame her disabilities using sign language and braille.

I really loved everything that happened last weekend. It was so much fun!!

I wasn't brave enough yet to get up and ask questions. I hope one day that I will be able to do it. I was very impressed with the people who were able to stand up for themselves and others. I was really happy that they could do it on their own and without any help. They inspired me!!!

love, Daniela

Breaking News! Daniela Goldstone is now a published author!

From Tina -

Daniela will write more about the summit this weekend ( and I am only allowed to write about the summit after she finishes what she wants to say about it!). But I did want to share some good news. For those of you who are loyal readers, you may remember me saying awhile back that Daniela and I were writing an article about post secondary options for students with intellectual disabilities for Adoption Today magazine. Well, that magazine is now out and Daniela has now reached her goal of being a published author! The article looks great ( as they always do in Adoption Today) and it is even mentioned on the cover. Daniela loved seeing her name, as not the subject of an article (as she has been a number of times), but as a co-author.

For those of you who are adoptive families, considering adoption, or who have family or friends who have adopted, I highly recommend this magazine and not just because of the article. I relied on it heavily as Daniela was growing up as it featured many articles about international adoption and the different issues that families face. If you want to subscribe to the magazine, which is now published only digitally, you can do so at:

www.adoptinfo.net

- for the great price of $12.00 a year.

If you want to purchase just one copy, (such as the current issue of August/September 2010 with our article!) you can do so by going to the back issues tab at:


http://www.adoptinfo.net/catalog_g172.html?catId=164940

- for just $2.00

You can search for issues that might be relevant to your family and also buy back issues for those articles.

It looks like Daniela and I may be collaborating again for another article this fall, this time for Exceptional Parent magazine. We'll give you more details on that at a later time!!!

All the best,


Tina

My Trip to DC - The I'm Determined Youth Summit!

Registering for the conference!

They gave us lots of free stuff, including a shirt, bag, and binder!

With my wonderful roommates Sara and Jasmine!

With Darren, one of the Summit Leaders

With Kim, another Summit Leader

Another Leader, Geoff

With Paul also on the Staff

Last weekend I went with my mom to the I'm Determined Youth Summit. It was in Washington DC. Our hotel was in Arlington Va. I met so many new friends. My roommates were very nice. I learned how to stand up for my rights. We visited the The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Newseum. On the last day we visited the Capitol and met with the staff of  Senators Warner and Webb. We also met with Heather Sawyer, Counsel, House Judiciary Committee.

It was the best weekend of my life!! I had so much fun with my friends and learned so many new things. I hope that I get the chance to go to another Youth Summit this  fall in Staunton Va. I have to apply and write another essay. Please wish me luck!!!

Tomorrow I will write more about my trip and show you  more  pictures.

love, Daniela

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I Want to go to College

Please watch this very moving new video from Think College. It very eloquently explains why Daniela and so many other students with intellectual disabilities have the dream and are trying so hard to go to college just like anyone else their age. Great job, Think College!

Tina

Click on this link!


I want to go to college