Patience and Persistence

1. Patience and Persistence By: Amber Keohane Texas Youth Leadership Forum 2007

2. Background Information Born early with cerebral palsy Unable to do daily activities by myself-I depend on others to help me. Was the first person in a wheelchair to go through the mainstreamed school in Angleton, Texas.

3. Background Continued High-school was especially rough. Went through depression Did several things to combat it Going to counseling Getting involved-Formed the �Ability Club�

4. Thinking About College I knew that I wanted to go to college but in order to do so, I had to look at was college right for me.

5. Thinking About College Continued� What I wanted my future to look like Developed personal vision Where I would like to be What I would like to be doing In order to figure out if college was right for me I had to think about what I wanted my future to look like. I had to develop a personal vision of where I would like to be and what I would like to be doing. In order to figure out if college was right for me I had to think about what I wanted my future to look like. I had to develop a personal vision of where I would like to be and what I would like to be doing.

6. Career Choices Four Factors Academic Qualifications Vocational Goals and Personal Interests Financial Resources Personal/Time Management When looking at career choices, there are four factors to consider in determining if college is right for your future.When looking at career choices, there are four factors to consider in determining if college is right for your future.

7. College Bound After looking at my personal vision for myself and asking myself about what I would need to get there, I knew college was right for me. In order to get there, however, I also new that I would have to plan early to make the transition be successful.After looking at my personal vision for myself and asking myself about what I would need to get there, I knew college was right for me. In order to get there, however, I also new that I would have to plan early to make the transition be successful.

8. What I did to prepare for college Actively participated in my IEP meetings and set goals for myself Took recommended courses in high-school. Took SAT/ACT Took the TASS test. Looked at schools I was interested in and could afford. Sought out the supports I needed to be successful

9. What I did to prepare for collegecontinued� Applied for Financial Aid Applied for VR Services Applied for College Scholarships Applied to Colleges that I was interested in Ranked choices based on my ability to successfully compete for admission Ones that provided support services to meet my needs

10. Where I am today I am a senior at Edinboro University of PA Majoring in Sociology My goal is to open shelters for people with disabilities that have been abused I am involved in Alpha Phi Omega Power soccer I am on the dean�s list I have a boy friend I graduate in May!

11. What was /is difficult about college Being away from home Coming up with own schedule Taking care of self /telling someone how to Taking responsibility Relying on people to show up on time Time management Weather Noisy neighbors

12. Advice for growing up Enjoy family they won�t always be there Before you graduate HS get with those who support you and discuss what you want Listen to their advice Remember it�s your decision! If you want to go to college make sure you tell your school!

13. Advice continued When discussing your goals be smart S specific M manageable A achievable R realistic T time specific Specific � be precise in numbers and actions. For example, how many classes do you want to take? Another example would be, what kind of job do you want, or how much money do you want to make? Manageable- How are you going to manage this goal? For instance before I went to college I had to figure out how to pay for it, and how I would get the help I needed. This is where you may create smaller goals to get to the larger one. An example would be if you wanted a job, one of your smaller goals might be to buy a suit for the interview. Achievable- now it�s time for you to do the leg work to find out if this is remotely achievable. For example if I wanted to be on my school�s track team, I could go around the track in my wheel chair, so it is achievable. Even though the goal is achievable it may not be realistic. Let�s go back to the track example. It is achievable but is it realistic? No, I�ll tell you why. For one thing not a coach in their right mind would let me on the team. It wouldn�t Be fair to the runners on the team! Time specific- give yourself a time in which you want to have your goals achieved. Specific � be precise in numbers and actions. For example, how many classes do you want to take? Another example would be, what kind of job do you want, or how much money do you want to make? Manageable- How are you going to manage this goal? For instance before I went to college I had to figure out how to pay for it, and how I would get the help I needed. This is where you may create smaller goals to get to the larger one. An example would be if you wanted a job, one of your smaller goals might be to buy a suit for the interview. Achievable- now it�s time for you to do the leg work to find out if this is remotely achievable. For example if I wanted to be on my school�s track team, I could go around the track in my wheel chair, so it is achievable. Even though the goal is achievable it may not be realistic. Let�s go back to the track example. It is achievable but is it realistic? No, I�ll tell you why. For one thing not a coach in their right mind would let me on the team. It wouldn�t Be fair to the runners on the team! Time specific- give yourself a time in which you want to have your goals achieved.

14. Advice continued What ever you decided to do, know what you need to do to get there, or figure it out Make connections Get involved

15. Things I think about Getting a job Going to grad school Getting married and starting a family Becoming a professional author