We are starting to attract some local support in the Chicago community! During the past week, I had a meeting with a DePaul student who happens to have Sensory Integration Dysfunction. She came into the office to discuss her ideas about how to get us more organized. She has come up with some great plans for ways to help me be more organized and have more structure in the office.
I was contacted by the head of the Public Service Program at DePaul University after attending a lecture, and his students have decided to take on Dyspraxia USA NFP as their group project. Having others take an interest in us and try to help get things going is a dream come true!
Saturday was a scary day because I had to go to a conference. I think I have told you that I have major spatial concerns and can’t drive. I have to rely on friends, GPS, or written instructions to a cab driver to get where I need to be. With a lot of help from a dear friend, I managed to get there - and on time.
One of the speakers at the conference was a Pediatric Psychologist. I decided I would try to take this opportunity to spread a little awareness. When it was time for questions, I stood up and said, “I have Dyspraxia and I am very proud of who I am, but I need support so I can help parents, professionals and others like me”. The speaker pulled me to the side we chatted for 15 minutes. He asked me to call him next week. He told me he agreed with what I was saying and that he was amazed someone took the initiative to start an organization. He agreed to mentor me and the board members and gave me his number.
I felt great because I spoke out and was able to express my thoughts to a well known professional. The fact that I gained the support of a person who has great knowledge of Dyspraxia was even better. I felt very pleased and this was all because I made the effort to be there physically instead of sending a note, email or voice message. I came in person and demonstrated what Dyspraxia is like in the flesh!
What a great week!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
What a Great Day!
I recently attended a lecture at DePaul University and was asked to speak to the class. The lecture was on a Wednesday morning and I was nervous as I had only one day to prepare myself for this speaking engagement. I arrived on time and was told to speak to the class right away.
The point of the speech was to highlight what structure needed to be in place for our fledgling organization to be successful. I told the class about some of my weaknesses, and that I am trying to be open to suggestions provided by others. I told them about our need to get volunteers to construct informational brochures and pamphlets to be distributed to the community. I stressed fact that organization is very difficult for me and that I really needed an organized and structured plan of how to get this organization off the ground. I added that I had been unable to get someone in the office to provide this support on a volunteer basis.
Finally, I emphasized why I felt this organization was so important. A large percentage of children have Dyspraxia, and there is very little help available in the United States. I wanted our organization to help provide others with support, information, and advice.
I detailed certain things I can’t physically do. I can’t go to more than one conference in a day because I tire easily, and get lost frequently. Trying to get ready and prepare the right clothes and shoes take a lot of time and energy as well. I did highlight my ability to speak from my own personal experiences and how I hoped that would help others and the organization. To sum up - after the sheer nerves and excitement over giving the speech, and giving the speech - would anyone contact me? Was my presentation ok? I got an email fromthe lecturer saying I did an excellent job! Someone from that class emailed me saying he had Dyspraxia and wanted to help. I must say this was a great day!
The point of the speech was to highlight what structure needed to be in place for our fledgling organization to be successful. I told the class about some of my weaknesses, and that I am trying to be open to suggestions provided by others. I told them about our need to get volunteers to construct informational brochures and pamphlets to be distributed to the community. I stressed fact that organization is very difficult for me and that I really needed an organized and structured plan of how to get this organization off the ground. I added that I had been unable to get someone in the office to provide this support on a volunteer basis.
Finally, I emphasized why I felt this organization was so important. A large percentage of children have Dyspraxia, and there is very little help available in the United States. I wanted our organization to help provide others with support, information, and advice.
I detailed certain things I can’t physically do. I can’t go to more than one conference in a day because I tire easily, and get lost frequently. Trying to get ready and prepare the right clothes and shoes take a lot of time and energy as well. I did highlight my ability to speak from my own personal experiences and how I hoped that would help others and the organization. To sum up - after the sheer nerves and excitement over giving the speech, and giving the speech - would anyone contact me? Was my presentation ok? I got an email fromthe lecturer saying I did an excellent job! Someone from that class emailed me saying he had Dyspraxia and wanted to help. I must say this was a great day!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sad Times and New Beginnings
I suffered a great loss recently. My grandfather, Jack Schneider, died on August 9, 2007. Besides being a very loving and caring person, he was also one of my best mates in the world. Over the past two years, Jack struggled with ALS better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The man I knew from childhood started to whither way as the condition took control of his whole body.
I flew to Florida for the funeral and was accompanied by my new and very beautiful girlfriend Sara. She dealt with my highly emotional state with grace and compassion. As we buried Jack, Sara held my hand. I was closing one chapter in my life (the loss of someone who was truly amazing to me), and opening a new one (the compassion and care of a beautiful young woman).
Losing Jack was especially hard to cope with because I had just returned from visiting him. One second I was chatting with him and the next, he was gone. Losing him was the most devastating loss I have ever faced. Gone was the loving man who said to me, “Warren you aren't disabled. You can do anything you want in life.”
Jack's confidence in me is something I want to pass on to kids and the families of kids who have Dyspraxia. He taught me that with determination, drive, and a good heart, people are who are just a bit unique can make it in life.
It has been hard adjusting to life without my grand dad, but I know he wanted me to continue working hard with the organization. I have been doing just that and I will now udpate you on new events at Dyspraxia USA NFP.
I decided it was time to get more connected with the non profit world in the city of Chicago. At first I was very nervous about making phone calls and going to selected events. But, I decided that in order to make progress with the organization, I had to try new things. At the beginning of September I did just that.
First, if you have Dyspraxia, the one thing you live on is instant gratification. I am finding out that its ok to ask for help, and I did this when obtaining the new accountant for the organization (Larry Acciari). Instead of just emailing random people I found on the computer, I asked my friends for suggestions about what to do. I needed to hire someone who would be good for the organization, not the first person who was available. Making sure someone could give me references and taking the time to check them out was important. Because I trusted the opinions of others with previous hiring experience, I did not give in to my need for instant gratification. I interviewed our new accountant and my consulted with my dad before making my final decision.
I must say I feel like i made the right decision and I am very happy with Mr. Acciari. He is always available, and he and his assistant have taken the time to learn about Dyspraxia so they know how to explain things to me. They tell me what papers I need to take to them and which documents need to be signed and where.
In memoriam of Jack Schneider 1931-2007 best mate, caring person and the man who instilled a lot of confidence in me until his last breath. He will truly be missed, and his heart and kind spirit will go on forever.
I flew to Florida for the funeral and was accompanied by my new and very beautiful girlfriend Sara. She dealt with my highly emotional state with grace and compassion. As we buried Jack, Sara held my hand. I was closing one chapter in my life (the loss of someone who was truly amazing to me), and opening a new one (the compassion and care of a beautiful young woman).
Losing Jack was especially hard to cope with because I had just returned from visiting him. One second I was chatting with him and the next, he was gone. Losing him was the most devastating loss I have ever faced. Gone was the loving man who said to me, “Warren you aren't disabled. You can do anything you want in life.”
Jack's confidence in me is something I want to pass on to kids and the families of kids who have Dyspraxia. He taught me that with determination, drive, and a good heart, people are who are just a bit unique can make it in life.
It has been hard adjusting to life without my grand dad, but I know he wanted me to continue working hard with the organization. I have been doing just that and I will now udpate you on new events at Dyspraxia USA NFP.
I decided it was time to get more connected with the non profit world in the city of Chicago. At first I was very nervous about making phone calls and going to selected events. But, I decided that in order to make progress with the organization, I had to try new things. At the beginning of September I did just that.
First, if you have Dyspraxia, the one thing you live on is instant gratification. I am finding out that its ok to ask for help, and I did this when obtaining the new accountant for the organization (Larry Acciari). Instead of just emailing random people I found on the computer, I asked my friends for suggestions about what to do. I needed to hire someone who would be good for the organization, not the first person who was available. Making sure someone could give me references and taking the time to check them out was important. Because I trusted the opinions of others with previous hiring experience, I did not give in to my need for instant gratification. I interviewed our new accountant and my consulted with my dad before making my final decision.
I must say I feel like i made the right decision and I am very happy with Mr. Acciari. He is always available, and he and his assistant have taken the time to learn about Dyspraxia so they know how to explain things to me. They tell me what papers I need to take to them and which documents need to be signed and where.
In memoriam of Jack Schneider 1931-2007 best mate, caring person and the man who instilled a lot of confidence in me until his last breath. He will truly be missed, and his heart and kind spirit will go on forever.
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