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

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

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

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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• Job Interview: What Not to Do (socyberty.com)
• How to Ace a Job Interview (lifescript.com)

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