A Really Productive Week!

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!