Thursday, September 30, 2010

Oh my goodness!!

From Tina,

I knew that we have had lots of visitors since our announcement, but I couldn't believe it when I checked our visitor stats just now. We have had 742 visitors to the blog since last evening!!!! AND we had 342 NEW visitors within that number!! How crazy is that?


Amazing!!! Daniela is so thrilled. She keeps running out of her room, saying "Mom I got another email!!"

Check below on the last post about the missing states for the blog. We only need 6 more before we have all 50!

Thanks to all of our visitors and welcome to all of you who are new. You can become a follower  through Face book or google ( on the side page of the blog) so you'll know when we have posted something new.  I promise Daniela and I will have lots more interesting and, hopefully, helpful posts in the coming weeks!!


love, Daniela and Tina

Thanks, Thanks, and Thanks! ( and Daniela needs 6 more states!)

From Tina - This is just a quick post to thank the HUNDREDS of you that have visited the blog since Daniela made her big announcement yesterday. There were well over a hundred new visitors to the site as well! Besides the comments on the post itself, she and I have received many emails expressing their good wishes and congratulations. Many of Daniela's future classmates took the time in class today to write comments welcoming her to the college. That was so sweet of them and for their instructor to organize it. A number of people have expressed interest in learning more about  Shepherds College. Please email them. I'm sure they would be happy to tell you more about their wonderful program and all they have to offer. I'm also happy to assist in any way possible (at: tinagold@cox.net).

We'll be sharing more about the college in the next week or so. Right now, we are just trying to answer all the emails!!

So many people helped get Daniela to this point in her life: her family, of course, and our friends, but also the wonderful professionals in her life. She wouldn't be where she is today without the many great devoted teachers in her life. Her doctors, case managers, and therapists also made a huge impact. She will be taking a little piece of everything you helped her with when she goes off to school next year.


So on Daniela's and our whole family's behalf - Thank you all many times over!

One other quick note- the number of states and countries visiting the blog has really shot up this week, which is so exciting to Daniela. 36  countries, 44 states and the District of Columbia have now visited us here. The only states missing are Hawaii, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Idaho, and West Virginia. If you have family or friends in any of these states who you think might enjoy the blog, tell them to come visit us! Daniela's goal is to have visitors from all 50 states - since we are getting so much traffic to the site, I'd love to help her reach her goal. ( you can check out the states and countries and keep track of them for yourself by clicking on the visitor sites towards the bottom of the blog).Thanks so much in advance!!

Tina

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Breaking News!!! Daniela Goldstone Shepherds College Class of 2014

 Finally my dream has come true! Today I found out I was accepted to Shepherds College in Union Grove Wisconsin!!!! This is where I am going to go to college starting next August!

A couple of months ago I applied to this college because my mom told me about it and it sounded like a really great school. Two weeks ago, my mom and I went to visit the college and go to their open house. I also had an interview and some tests. I went to different classes and had lunch and dinner with the students. I got to stay in an apartment with the students too. It was really cool. The classrooms and the housing are really neat. My mom got to stay in a suite on campus too. I loved the staff and the students and everyone was really nice to me. I made many new friends. Some of the students have already called and written to me on Face Book.


I knew when we left the school that this was the college I want to go to. It felt very safe and a place I could feel at home. I have been waiting every day to find out if I was accepted. Finally today, was the day! I will write lots more about the college soon. Right now I want to go call people and email them to let them know the good news. Here are a couple of pictures from today and my visit. I'll share more of those soon as well. My mom is going to write more about everything below the pictures. I am very, very excited!

love,

Daniela


September 29, 2010 the day I found out where I'm going to college!!
Sept. 15, 2010 the day I saw Shepherds College - Here are some of the Staff. Tracy Terrill is the college director on the very left. Chris Wright is the Admissions Director on the very right.




From Tina,

What an exciting day at the Goldstone house! This is a day Daniela has been working towards for almost 2 years. When we found out this spring that Daniela was on the waiting list at Clemson, we decided it would be a good idea to look at some other schools in case a spot never opened up for her.


I had looked at Shepherds College back in the beginning of the search for programs, but decided it was might be too far away. It was brand new at the time, but did look very promising. I decided to give it a second look and wrote the admissions director with some questions. We started an ongoing dialog and we were very impressed by the time and attention they took with every one of our queries. Their program is quite unique ( look at the earlier post I wrote about the college). The organization Shepherds Ministries has been working with individuals with disabilities for over 50 years. They are some of the earliest and most pro-active leaders in the field of providing opportunities and independent living for individuals with disabilities. The college program is now in it's third year. Though further away than other programs we applied to, there are direct flights from here to Chicago ( an hour south of the college) so getting there is in some ways easier than some of than other programs. We decided to move forward with an application.

Our visit 2 weeks ago was absolutely wonderful. They treated us and the other visiting families like family. They even have a few really lovely suites available that families can reserve to stay in while visiting (for which they only ask a donation of whatever you can afford). We felt so welcome and at ease. I have never seen Daniela as excited about anything before. All she kept saying was, "This is amazing!"The students were like Daniela in so many ways - friendly, hard-working, and engaging. They were wonderful hosts to both Daniela and myself. The more senior students mentor the new students. Students come from all over the U.S. and overseas. I went to a couple of classes with Daniela. They were so fun and interactive. Daniela even felt brave enough to raise her hand and answer some questions. The first year is basically academic and pre-vocational. The second year, the students pick one of two majors and focus on vocational training. The third year students intern in their majors in the rural surrounding area. Everyone receives classes in independent living, religious studies, and other skills all three years.

The housing is so well-thought out. The first year the students live in dorms (to be completely renovated this year) like typical college students, though they do have cooking opportunities. The second year the women and the men each live in a separate home (brand-new!) housing 8 students, with more opportunities to cook and live independently. The third year, the students live in apartments with one other student, with a great deal more responsibility. The progressive growth in the students was obvious. The third year students were incredibly mature and responsible. They would measure up very well with the best of their "typical" peers.

We knew  for sure when we left that we had found "the" program for Daniela. It has just the right mix of academic, vocational, and life skills classes that we were looking for. The housing situation is ideal. The level of support is remarkable (to not only students, but for the families as well.) Shepherds College is only in it's third year, but the long history of Shepherds Ministries in the field of intellectual disabilities has given the staff a vast depth of knowledge in every aspect of the program.  Their program should be a model for others around the world. This program is faith-based (interdenominational). The founders, board, and staff are practicing Christianity in the very best sense of what it means to be a Christian.

I'm in the process of writing an article, with Daniela's input, about Shepherds College and our visit to the program for Exceptional Parent Magazine. In it I will give many more details about the program and it's history. Christianity Today Magazine also has an article coming this fall about the school (not by me!)

 The world is taking notice of this ground-breaking program. It is  truly changing, and will continue to change so many lives. I'm just so very proud and happy to say one of them will be my daughter Daniela!

A very excited Mom!!!!

Tina



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Monday, September 13, 2010

Media Review - Rachel is

From Tina -

I have been thinking of how this blog could better serve other families and professionals working with young adults with intellectual disabilities. I am always looking for new books, web-sites, documentaries and films on the subject of young adults with disabilities; particularly how they are negotiating their lives after they transition out of school. I do this on Daniela's behalf, and I know it can be challenging to find current and useful information.

Today I am beginning a new feature of the blog, a regular media review of documentaries and other media that I have explored and which I have found to be helpful. Hopefully, others will find them helpful as well. The films, books, etc.  I will be reviewing can be helpful in different ways. They may provide practical information to guide you or they may simply provide comfort as you watch how another family has negotiated their way to find the best possible life for their newly adult child. I will be reviewing material that covers young adults who are, like Daniela, capable of a great deal of independence. I will also cover material across the intellectual disability spectrum, including options for those young adults who will need total supervision for the rest of their lives.

I ask our readers to let us know if they run across a great book, documentary, or web-site so that we can share it with everyone who comes here. (Thank you in advance!)

And now, on to our very first review  - a documentary (I also provide information on two accompanying books).


 Rachel is- a film by Charlotte Glynn
presented by Jacktar Films


About a year ago, in my search for books on the subject of young adults with intellectual disabilities, I found a wonderful one written by a mother named Jane Bernstein. It is called Rachel in the World. It is a frank book and I was, at times, horrified and then, soon after, incredibly moved. I soon found that she had written a book about Rachel's early life called Loving Rachel. I bought that book as well.

When I had finished both books, I had grown quite attached to Rachel and to her mother and older sister. I went online, as I often do, to find out if there was anything else written about them. I was hoping to see if there were any updates on this complicated and engaging family.

I was pleased to see that Rachel's older sister, Charlotte, had recently completed a documentary about Rachel's transition from school to adult life called Rachel is. The Jacktar Films web-site gave a tantalizing video clip and I immediately wanted to watch the whole documentary. I checked to see if there were any outlets in which I could rent or purchase the film. At the time, there didn't seem to be. The film was making it's way through various screenings at different film festivals.

Recently, as I was re-shelving some books, including Rachel in the World, I thought I would check again to see if the documentary was now available. It was during this time that I had also began thinking about doing media reviews here on the blog (after I had written the brief review of the web-series, The Specials). I wrote to Ms. Glynn, told her what I had in mind, and she was kind enough to send me a reviewer's DVD copy of the film.

I have now watched it twice, loving it both times. Like her mother's book, this film is honest, unflinching, and sometimes challenging to watch. The participants of the film do not try to gloss over the difficult and frustrating moments in dealing with a sometimes exhausting and annoying Rachel. Those of us who have children with challenging disabilities will truly be able to identify with those moments when you are feeling like the worst parent in the world; dealing with moments when you just don't know how to keep going. Ms. Bernstein terms it as living in "hostile dependence".

As frustrated as she is, Rachel's mother never stops trying to find her daughter the best life possible, even when presented less than desirable options. Is her search for an adult living situation for Rachel also motivated by the exhaustion that living with Rachel brings? Absolutely. But does she also know that Rachel truly, truly wants to live away from her mother and that doing so would make her life fuller and richer? Ab-so-lute-ly.

As the time approaching for Rachel to transition out of school rapidly comes into sight, the search becomes more urgent. A less than satisfactory solution, Life-Sharing, is all that seems to be available and a trial run for one month shows why it's not the best outcome for Rachel. Just when things look bleak, a new support worker offers the family a wonderful new option that brings Rachel the kind of life that all of us wish for our own children with disabilities.

For both families and professionals, this is a moving and uplifting film. For those advocating for more and better services for individuals with disabilities, Rachel is will motivate you to keep fighting. To see Rachel find a life filled with dignity, friends, and joy makes me have hope that this next generation of young adults could, with the right services AND FUNDING, continue to  lead the lives they deserve - even when we who love and fight for them are no longer here.

For more information on this film, for screenings or to purchase you can go to: http://www.7thart.com/films/Rachel-is

Hope you enjoy this first review!

Tina

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

From Tina - Interview perspective and a big honor for the blog

I want to add my perspective to Daniela's post below about her job interview. This was a huge step for Daniela. For her to be able to go in and interview with a stranger  was terrifying enough. To have this interview be for a job she very much wants to have only added more pressure ( but also really motivated her.) To be perfectly honest. I was a little skeptical that she would be able to do it. (For those of you who already have jobs, do you remember how daunting it was to face your first interviewer?)


Right before the interview, Daniela sat by herself. I could tell she was trying to gather courage. When it was time to go with her job counselor for the interview,  she was calm and confident (and excited at the same time). I on the other hand, was a little nauseous.....


Daniela came bounding over at the end of the interview, a big smile on her face, two thumbs up in the air. Sandy looked very pleased and a little shocked. I think Daniela surprised her by how confidently she handled herself. I was incredibly proud of Daniela and what was even better, happy that she was so proud of herself. What a huge boost for her self-esteem. She wanted to buy donuts and some new shirts. I would have bought her the moon if I could have!

The first thing Daniela wanted to do when she got home was to write on the blog and share her story about the day. She asked me, "Mom do you think me writing about my interview could help other people with disabilities, so they wouldn't be so afraid to do it themselves?" I told her that I was sure it would.

(And I thought it wouldn't be possible for me to be prouder of her today - well I was wrong!)

Then when we got home, Daniela checked her email and found a message from a Nathan Grimm who is the program manager of the SR Education Group . They have a web-site called the Guide to Online Schools. The email said that Daniela's blog has been chosen to be featured on Guide's list of the Best Learning Disabilities Blogs! What a wonderful honor! He went on to say this: "We hand-picked a list of our favorite blogs by people who are writing about learning disabilities and outlined the unique reasons why we love them. We were really entertained and intrigued by your blog, Daniela's Journey to Independence."

In the description of her blog on the web-site, it says, "It’s certainly an inspiring story to follow!"

Daniela and her dad and I are so pleased by this honor. Who knew when we started the blog this spring, that it would be enjoyed and helpful to so many ( and growing numbers of)  people? And it has truly helped Daniela as well, which was it's original purpose. She enjoys it so much and loves reaching out to others.

Here is the web-site link: Guide to Online Schools/ learning disability blogs

Looks like a great resource . I'm sure we'll be checking out many of the other blogs listed!

All in all, a pretty super day at the Goldstone's!!!!!

My job interview!!!!!!


This is how I dressed for my interview. See my beautiful nails!



Today I had a very exciting day. I had my very first job interview at the Virginia Living Museum! All morning I was really worried and nervous. I went and had a haircut so my hair would look nice. Yesterday I had a manicure AND a pedicure. Yesterday and today my mom and I practiced interview questions. It was hard!


At 2 pm today  we met my job counselor Sandy at the entrance of the museum. She and I went together for the interview. My mom waited by the gift shop.  The interviewer's name was Jen. She was really nice. She said that she was excited to meet me. I wasn't nervous at all!  I spoke right up and talked to her. She asked me questions and I answered them with no problem. I didn't freeze! I was so afraid that I would. She said that the job would be helping kids with birthday parties and helping them with other parties they have at the museum. I think that would be a great job. Before I knew it, the interview was over.  Sandy was really, really proud of me! When we met my mom, I gave her 2 thumbs up. Sandy told her I did really well. My mom gave me a big hug. She said she was so proud of me!!!!!


After the interview, my mom let me get donuts at Dunkin Donuts and then we went to Walmart to buy  3 new Miley Cyrus shirts. She was REAAAAALLLLLYYY proud of me!!

I don't whether I'm going to get the job or not. I really hope I do. I love it at The Living Museum. If  I don't get the job, then my mom said I can do some volunteer work there.

If you have any disabilities and you want to go apply for a job, don't be afraid. Just be yourself. At the interviews there are no wrong answers. You can do it. I know you can. I did it and it was great to stand up for myself!!!!!!!



love,


Daniela

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A great New Resource

From Tina:

I was just given a link to a great new resource. It's called  Developmental Disabilities Ministries. Community Network. I just joined and posted a message to the site.
It is listed as serving persons with developmental disabilities and caregivers. It seems to be very new, but hopefully it will grow and be very helpful to families. Please join and add your voice to this new community!

Their mission is "To empower persons with developmental disabilities to achieve their highest level of social, physical, emotional and spiritual maturity." Great mission and one I totally support! Don't you?!

All the best,


Tina