November 19, 2013: Steven

I’m very grateful for having Steven by my side. He is my rock. He has been there for me through so much, and he knows me so incredibly well. We just “fit” together. He has been with me as I’ve lost my vision and constantly adapts along with me. He is such a sweet guy, gives the best hugs, and is just the love of my life. I’m SO incredibly thankful that I have been with Steven for so long and look forward to many more years with him. I’m very excited about spending our first Christmas together this year. ❤

November 18, 2013: Disability Legislation

I usually am not much for legislation or politics. However, I am very grateful for legislation that helps individuals with disabilities obtain equal access and gives them the supports to help them live independently and gain/maintain employment, as well as be protected against discrimination. (That doesn’t mean it doesn’t still happen but they are protected and legal action can be taken). As a guide dog user, I have found myself even more happy about this legislation than ever before. I am very thankful that we, as American citizens, have these protections because I am learning how many countries do not have these programs and laws to serve individuals with disabilities.

November 17, 2013: Mama

Day 17 of Thanksgiving month: I am very thankful for my Mama. I got really sick this past week and could barely function. I called my Mom in the middle of the night and she drove up to school to get me and take me home to recover. She is a huge help and I love her so incredibly much. She is my buddy. We have had to learn and go through a lot since Dad passed and we’ve done it together.

November 16, 2013: Yummy drinks

Today I am grateful for drinks like Dr. Pepper. I know that sounds silly, and I am be just a wee bit hooked on Dr. Pepper, but drinks like Dr. Pepper, mint tea, and Starbucks’ Java Chip Frappucino really get me through a lot of homework, a lot of hard times, stress, and anxiety, and really keep me going. I am thankful that we have so many delicious options to choose from.

November 15, 2013: John Bramblitt

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to meet some really great people who are making an impact on the world, such as John Bramblitt. John Bramblitt is featured in another post last month too. He went to my school and lost his sight during college due to severe epilepsy. He really liked drawing but never considered painting. Once he lost his vision, he figured ‘why not?’ and started to paint and is absolutely incredible. I’ll include a few pictures below but I also want you to watch the video that I post. It’s different than the one in the original post. It not only touches on being a “non visual visual artist,” but also on some of the emotional aspects of going blind and art’s effect on him. My boyfriend and I are going to get to go to a workshop with him in a few days and we are very excited. My boyfriend is an art major and of course I’m visually impaired so this is right up both of our alley’s. Today, I am grateful for the opportunities to meet and learn from individuals like John Bramblitt.

His video:

Some of his artworks:

“Balloons”

“Mardi Gras Mask” – I got to see and feel this one in person.

 

“Marilyn”

 

 

 

November 14, 2013: Medicine

I am very grateful for medicine that while it may taste awful, it really does work. I have had this really awful stomach bug and we don’t know if it is just a really fast acting virus or if it was food poisoning, but it affected a significant group of us that all went to a gathering. I was not doing very well.. I couldn’t eat because I was so sick and couldn’t even hold water down but then I started to get even more sick because my blood sugar was so low. It resulted in a very sick, unable to really move, Jessica. Once the medicine started getting into my system, I was able to eat popsicles and get my blood sugar balancing out and then I started to improve and was able to eat and started to really improve. Today, I am thankful for modern medicine.

November 13, 2013: The opportunity to blog

I love blogging. I love the opportunity to network with other individuals, related to guide dog or disability stuff or not, all around the world. I love having the opportunity to practice free speech and post about issues that I am having, or about current events in the news. I love the opportunity to learn from other people’s experience while knowing that I am making an impact on other people’s lives as well. I love having the opportunity to blog and having so many great followers.

November 12, 2013: My sister

I am very grateful for my sister. We have become closer over the years and I love her so much. She is the world traveler and a brilliant young woman. She has such a big heart for helping others, and such a passion for global health. My sister is on her third country that she has gone to to teach global health and help the country in shortterm and longterm health goals. I am thankful that she has been safe this far and can’t wait until she is back in the States and she is safe.

November 11, 2013: Military

I am so very thankful for the military who have fought, fight, and/or will fight to protect my freedom. I can be who I am and do what I want in this amazing country because of the men and women who sacrifice so much and risk their lives for me. I am so thankful that I have grown up around so many people that are now serving our country and I am very thankful that most of them are still alive.

(And to Matthew Patrick, Air Force Cadet, may you Rest in Peace.. I still think about you, miss you, and love you.)

Happy Veteran’s Day.

November 10, 2013: My Great Aunt

Today, I am very thankful for the opportunity to grow up around my great-aunt. She has lived with me since I was very young. She has an intellectual impairment. She was diagnosed as “mentally retarded,” but we don’t use that anymore. Personally, I think she has Cerebral Palsy but others nowadays think she might have that or a Traumatic Brain Injury around the time of birth. She is just the sweetest, most loving, fun, cute elderly lady. She has taught me so much about compassion, about patience, about being creative, and about enjoying life. I firmly believe she is so much of why I want to work with individuals with disabilities today. I am very thankful for the opportunity to live and hang out with her.