Appreciating the People in My Support System!

 

Have you every wondered how someone important to you has impacted your life. I think about this all the time as I do not think I would be as successful as I have been without all the influences in my life. As a recent college graduate with a disability, this is especially important to recognize. The student is not the only one on this journey, everyone supporting a student is on that journey too! It takes a whole team for a student with a disability to find success in school (at least most of the time). 

Being a Role Model for Others Like Me

Another thing I think about now that I have graduated from college is how I have or can be a role model for others like me who want to attend college. I think about this a lot more, especially since becoming a peer mentor for UNC's Go on and Learn program. Many of the students I have worked with in the program have become some of my closest friends and they look up to me! That is a very rewarding feeling! 

Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a school where one of my old teachers works, Aurora West Preparatory Academy. Since I grew up in suburbia, coming to this inner-city school was a bit of a shock to me. I had passed through this area several times throughout my life, but never really stepped foot in it physically. The environment was very different from the one I went to school in. Many of these kids do not have the support outside of school that I had. They do not have many people to look up to and no plans for their future. 

I helped in my former teacher's classroom with some of the more mild/moderate needs students at the school. That was a blast! All of the students really took to me! One student, Brandon, really liked me! He hung out with me the whole time I was at the school helping out! 

I Am Fortunate to Have All The Support

Aside from helping in the classroom, I spoke to some high school students (it is a 6-12 school) at the school who have learning difficulties and anxiety. I spoke to them about what it is like living with a disability and how you can overcome several obstacles to achieve what you want.

When I was speaking to the high school students, I had one girl ask "how did you afford college?" I was lucky to have all the supports I have had. My parents worked very hard to save money so I could attend college. My teachers (most of them) worked with me to get to a point where college could be a possibility (and it was)! College became a reality and I made it through because of my support system! If I learned anything in the last four years, it is to appreciate what I have and all the support I have received as others may not be as lucky. The photo below would not be possible if it weren't for several of the amazing people I have in my life!!!

Getting My Bachelor's Degree! What's Next? (College Series #4)

 Hey everyone!

I know it has been awhile but I have had a lot go on in the last month! I was in the hospital about a month ago and just a week and a half ago, I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with my Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Sociology! It has been a busy time! 

I wanted to write on the topic of myself getting a college degree as it is becoming a more common occurrence for individuals with learning and cognitive disabilities and I plan to go into a field where I can be an advocate for future college students with disabilities. As I mentioned when I first started writing this blog, my parents were told that I would never read, write, walk, or talk when I was born. Aside from that, graduate with a college degree. 

This is a major milestone for anyone, but especially for people like me! I have always been told by someone at one point or another that I would not be able to do a variety of things (read, write, walk, or talk, make it through middle or high school, etc.). I have proved all those individuals wrong over and over again by achieving this milestone of graduating from college! 

Moving onto what is next! For the summer, I have no clue what my plan is. I know I want to work some to save up and become financially independent (for the most part). I am moving from my studio apartment into a house (with 4 other girls) in Greeley. That bring me to the solidified part of my plan: continuing my education at UNC in their sociology graduate program! My ultimate goal is to go into disability advocacy at colleges and universities. I want to improve services provided for those students as I know what is can be like from that perspective!

Well that's my post for today! I hope you all enjoy reading about my latest endeavors!

Hospital Adventures

 Hey everyone,

So I had my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday and thought things were gonna be fine. As it turns out, things were not fine. I got a really swollen mouth with a huge lump. I ended up getting an oral infection that turned into sepsis. So I have been in the hospital getting pumped full of antibiotics and steroids because of this. So stressful and frustrating, especially since I grew up in and out of hospitals.

The worst part about the whole thing is that my original surgeon who did the procedure didn't even care that I was in the hospital. He didn't even respond when the ER doctors called him. This has like a 1 in 50 to 100 chance of happening with wisdom teeth removal, well it happened to me. 

Have you had mishaps like this? Post comments down below!

Gaining Motivation (Mental Health Awareness #3)

 Hey everyone!

I know it has been awhile since I have written anything on here. I recently had a reader who asked me how I stay motivated with my nonverbal learning disability and being on the spectrum. This got me thinking writing this post.

For starters, I have had people throughout my life that have told me that I couldn't or I wouldn't be able to do certain things. When I was born, my family was told I would never read, write, walk, or talk. When I hear things like that, I always turn it into motivation in proving those people wrong. I had a teacher once who said I would never make it past middle school (I am about to graduate with my bachelor's degree and start a master's program). The point is that I almost always prove those people wrong and others can do the same. Anyone with a disability can accomplish anything they set their mind to! I think that is something everyone should think about!

For me, I have a harder time getting motivated with short-term things, such as homework and class assignments (I know that doesn't sound good from someone about to graduate from college). Homework is not the most fun thing, but I know it has to get done. When it comes to a schedule whether it's homework or class or an appointment, I use a bullet journal. I LOVE my bullet journal. I use it to write out my feelings, plan out my posts for this blog, make to do lists, and much more! It has been such an amazing thing for me, especially if I am really struggling emotionally and mentally. 

How do you stay motivated? Do you struggle with this skill? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Getting Back Into Exercising (Mental Health Awareness #3)

Do you ever have moments where you haven't worked out in awhile? When you come back to it, do you feel out of shape? That's how it was for me last night! 

I recently formed an intramural basketball team with some of my friends at college. We practiced for the first time last night. I haven't played basketball much for a few years, so it's a form of exercise I am not used to. 

It felt really good to get up and moving. Of course I am super sore from it, but there's many things that benefit me when it comes to getting exercise. I feel better mentally and emotionally. It is really something that helps me to stay happy and also get a workout in. 

Tell me how you get a good workout in! Leave a comment in the comments section of my blog!

Being Happy (Mental-Health Awareness #2)

 Hey everyone,

Today, I'm gonna be talking about my journey with mental health and what it has been like overcoming those issues, and what it feels like to be happy. 

I was diagnosed with depression and a mood disorder when I was 16. I probably had those issues for several months before my diagnosis. Before I was officially diagnosed, I had mood swings pretty frequently. One minute, I would be on cloud nine and the next I would be crying on the floor. I would also have times where I would get impulsive or angry. 

I ended up in a mental health hospital on a 72-hour hold, which is basically suicide watch. I had hit rock bottom and was in a very dark place. It was scary for me and my family. I went from being this bubbly, happy human being to being agitated and sad. It was horrible not being the person I know I am.

Once I got out of the hospital, I was put on medications, set up with a psychiatrist, and had to start putting in efforts for my recovery at therapy. I really learned the true value of therapy and my meds when I regressed mentally last semester. I was very depressed and lonely. I felt that no one could help me and that there was no way out. As it turns out, I was wrong. 

I started putting in more work at therapy (more than ever before) because I am the only one that can control my how I deal with my feelings. No one else can do that for me. They can tell me how to do it, but they cannot do it for me. 

Now, I have been happier than I have been since I was 16 and I don't let things get to me as much. It is a weird feeling, but it is so much better than feeling down all the time! 

Have you ever had mental health struggles? How do you cope with stress and other issues? Feel free to leave a comment!

Until next time,

Caitlin

Birthday Celebration: Turning 22!

 Today, I turned 22! Celebrating my birthday has always been different every year. Last year, it was difficult for me to celebrate due to a family matter the previous day. Last year was also my 21st birthday and oddly enough, I did not want to celebrate like everyone else when they turn 21. This year, I have had more people celebrate for or with me than ever before. I am making a bigger deal out of it this year because it actually feels like my birthday! I am so honored to have friends and family that care about me and to celebrate with me! I hope 22 turns into something great!