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Growing into Adulthood with FASD A Personal Reflection

Growing into Adulthood with FASD A Personal Reflection. Sarah Kyser – 27 yrs old Work Part Time for MRDD, Washing Busses 27 hrs week, Monday – Friday, 7:30am-1:30pm Driving since 21 – limited places Live independent, own my own home (2 yrs in August)

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Growing into Adulthood with FASD A Personal Reflection

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  1. Growing into Adulthood with FASDA Personal Reflection • Sarah Kyser – 27 yrs old • Work Part Time for MRDD, Washing Busses • 27 hrs week, Monday – Friday, 7:30am-1:30pm • Driving since 21 – limited places • Live independent, own my own home (2 yrs in August) • Manage bills and checking account with very little help • Diagnosed with FAE (ARND)

  2. Beginning • Placed with my foster mom at 4 months • Adopted at 11 months

  3. Grade School Years • Enjoyed pre-school and kindergarten • Had learning problems right away in first grade • Changed to Mary Immaculate, small school for children with learning disabilities. Finished 2nd grade; it was still too difficult • Moved to Sylvania to go to school • Did well in the 2nd grade behavior class, it had strict rules • Mainstreamed in fourth grade • Had banana peels thrown at me and my friends during lunch • Moved back to behavior class with friends; stayed until junior high

  4. Junior High Years • CHANGE is DIFFICULT • Changed Schools, Changed Classes • It was hard, frustrating, made me angry • Started to have anger outburst at school • 7th Grade I was still in a behavior class • I learned a routine to deal with my anger • 8th grade I moved out of behavior class!

  5. High School • Scared, another MAJOR CHANGE • Had a few friends, learning how to be friends was hard; it still is • Was in small classes, and some inclusion classes • First trip to the hospital for depression • Started working, but had social issues on the jobs • Started having anger outbursts at home • Went to jail twice, then I was put on probation; that helped! • Attended some dances and my senior prom • Graduated with my degree on time!!!

  6. Just Beyond High School • Applied and accepted into the PACE program • National-Louis University, Evanston Ill campus • Program for people 18-31 with multiple learning disabilities • Teaches independent living • Learn how to make friends, and actually make friends • Job Assignments to learn work experiences • Came home just before end of 1st quarter • Hard to adjust making decisions on my own • My mother always helped me to understand and make decisions

  7. Transition after High School • Had to find work • Continued to try for my driver license • BVR helped me find jobs, but not the right ones • Laundry service at Toledo Hospital • Timed you folding sheets, so many per minute • Two women got into fight that really scared me • Food Prep at Senior Retirement Home • Added in waitress type service • Added in full time for first three weeks • Lot of stress trying different jobs

  8. Too Much Stress in an Adult World • Went to counseling for a lot of years • Learned ways to control anger and stress • Needed different medications • Still wanted to die, still too much stress • Had many trips and time in the hospital

  9. Finally Moving Forward • Graduated from the Genesis daily group program • Participated in the New Horizons social program • Medications were adjusted and checked regularly • Settled in a familiar job at Kroger’s, bagging • Learned to handle stress without hurting myself • Didn’t want to go back to hospital • Finally got my drivers license after 5 years!

  10. On My Own • Moved out on my own the hard way (behavior issues), but it worked, I grew up! • Things I learned at home before moving out: • Writing checks, balancing my account • Budgeting money to paying bills • Grocery shopping • Housekeeping, Laundry, Cooking • Getting myself to work on time • Using the bus; eventually driving • Started saving and taking classes for my house • Difficult to be by myself, alone, at times • Parents still help when needed

  11. Still Learning • Had to leave Kroger’s after 2 ½ years, started coming in late and calling off too much • Was unemployed for six months, taught me a lesson • Hired at Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts as a bean roaster (company for people with disabilities) • Job was eliminated at the end of Dec ’08, after 3yrs • Started in Jan ‘09 at the MRDD, now at the bus garage • Tried to stop taking my meds, changes my behavior • Angry, irritable, depressed, mean

  12. Future Goals • Learn how to keep a positive relationship with my boyfriend • Get married, but I’m not sure about children yet • Get new counter tops in my house, closet doors, and a garage

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