my experience from UConn (July 25-28)

rjr2006 · 08-03-2005, 03:59 PM

YLF Experience’05
Day 1:

The school bus came in early morning, and I was excited and a little scared at the same time, because it was my first time being away from my family. When I arrived at UConn, I met my assigned Personal Care Assistant, Joel. I had my photo taken then we went to the first aid room and I let the nurse know what to do with my medications. Then Joel and I went in my dorm and we discussed about my needs. As a Personal Care Assistant Supervisor, I felt overwhelmed when explaining everything to an employee, and I started to feel much more independent than from home.

We went to a small group, and introduced each team member, then we went to meetings. They were about disability awareness. At lunch, I got to choose different kinds of food. After lunch, my group had discussions then went to meetings.

Day 2:
In the morning, I got to dress and shave in my own way of living with assistance from Joel and he was very cool and easygoing. Then we ate breakfast and went on the bus on the way to accessible camp. I was involved in a lot of activities that I never thought I couldn’t do, due to my disability. I did roping, attempt to go inside of “spider web“, and the group connected hands and have others try to get ways around without disconnecting arms. We had Outback for lunch then all of groups gathered together to play logic games.

At the talent show, everyone listened to the music and the interpreter introduced me and he told everyone that I was very special because I was the only deaf delegate and he read my poem. Everyone clapped at me and they said that they understand how I feel.

Day 3:
My group discussed what they have learned and came up with a team name, cheer, and song. I created “Future Advocates of America”, and the interpreter taught my group ASL and we came up with the song:
“We are the future advocates of America, we are the group that will lead the way. Yes, we will lead the way“

Then the interpreter converted the song into sign language:
“We are future advocates America, we are group that will lead way. Yes, we will lead way”

I went to annual dinner and dance, I sat with my deaf BRS counselor and other deaf/HoH retired BRS counselors from all over the state of Connecticut. We had fun chatting and I ate Alfredo for dinner.

After dinner, I danced with Heidi (my deaf BRS counselor) and girls danced around me. Kathryn and I held hands and we danced together, and she sat on my lap. It was very funny when other people did some peculiar dances.

Day 4:
Joel and I started to pack up for department and we went to breakfast. Then my group practiced cheer and song, then I had free time in my dorm to ensure that everything was all packed. Then I had a banquet and went up to the stage with my group. We signed the song, cheer, and received awards.

The End

I have pictures and will put on my website.

**TweetyBird** · 08-03-2005, 04:33 PM

wow!!! it wonderful for u learned something... so u can do that again in future so u can have meet new friends and have fun too!!

webexplorer · 08-03-2005, 06:03 PM

That's cool!!

CODAchild · 08-03-2005, 11:40 PM

RJR it sounds like you had a wonderful time and a great learning experience. You made such wonderful new friends. What has impressed me is that you did things you thought you couldn't do. Don't ever give up on yourself, always keep trying new things.
Glad you had a good time!!

BabyAngel · 08-04-2005, 08:26 AM

Awesome, you sound like you did have so much fun huh? Ha I am really happy for you that you have some new experience with everything.

I am sure that you do feel so much independent!

Can't wait to see some pictures!!

rjr2006 · 08-04-2005, 01:37 PM

I finally got the pictures uploaded
http://ylf2005.rwsite7.com/

rjr2006 · 08-04-2005, 05:44 PM

i just secured the page for some reasons and please PM me for the password. Thanks!

**TweetyBird** · 08-04-2005, 06:29 PM

ok sure thing.. i would like to see the pic but take ur time..

deafclimber · 08-05-2005, 09:29 AM

glad to hear that you had a great experience up there, dude. i did see ur cool blog via ur link.

**TweetyBird** · 08-05-2005, 10:31 AM

i saw the pictures.. oh my! it sooo WONDERFUL! u have a blast fun!!!!!

IcedTeaRulz · 08-05-2005, 12:31 PM

Wow, it is very interesting! Glad that u went there! Bravo!

08-03-2005, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
rjr2006 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,849	my experience from UConn (July 25-28) YLF Experience’05 Day 1: The school bus came in early morning, and I was excited and a little scared at the same time, because it was my first time being away from my family. When I arrived at UConn, I met my assigned Personal Care Assistant, Joel. I had my photo taken then we went to the first aid room and I let the nurse know what to do with my medications. Then Joel and I went in my dorm and we discussed about my needs. As a Personal Care Assistant Supervisor, I felt overwhelmed when explaining everything to an employee, and I started to feel much more independent than from home. We went to a small group, and introduced each team member, then we went to meetings. They were about disability awareness. At lunch, I got to choose different kinds of food. After lunch, my group had discussions then went to meetings. Day 2: In the morning, I got to dress and shave in my own way of living with assistance from Joel and he was very cool and easygoing. Then we ate breakfast and went on the bus on the way to accessible camp. I was involved in a lot of activities that I never thought I couldn’t do, due to my disability. I did roping, attempt to go inside of “spider web“, and the group connected hands and have others try to get ways around without disconnecting arms. We had Outback for lunch then all of groups gathered together to play logic games. At the talent show, everyone listened to the music and the interpreter introduced me and he told everyone that I was very special because I was the only deaf delegate and he read my poem. Everyone clapped at me and they said that they understand how I feel. Day 3: My group discussed what they have learned and came up with a team name, cheer, and song. I created “Future Advocates of America”, and the interpreter taught my group ASL and we came up with the song: “We are the future advocates of America, we are the group that will lead the way. Yes, we will lead the way“ Then the interpreter converted the song into sign language: “We are future advocates America, we are group that will lead way. Yes, we will lead way” I went to annual dinner and dance, I sat with my deaf BRS counselor and other deaf/HoH retired BRS counselors from all over the state of Connecticut. We had fun chatting and I ate Alfredo for dinner. After dinner, I danced with Heidi (my deaf BRS counselor) and girls danced around me. Kathryn and I held hands and we danced together, and she sat on my lap. It was very funny when other people did some peculiar dances. Day 4: Joel and I started to pack up for department and we went to breakfast. Then my group practiced cheer and song, then I had free time in my dorm to ensure that everything was all packed. Then I had a banquet and went up to the stage with my group. We signed the song, cheer, and received awards. The End I have pictures and will put on my website.

08-03-2005, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
TweetyBird ... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21,496	wow!!! it wonderful for u learned something... so u can do that again in future so u can have meet new friends and have fun too!! __________________ If you interesting order Scentsy and Pls click my website here www.scentsy.com/FaithLove.. thanks

08-04-2005, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
TweetyBird ... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21,496	ok sure thing.. i would like to see the pic but take ur time.. __________________ If you interesting order Scentsy and Pls click my website here www.scentsy.com/FaithLove.. thanks

08-05-2005, 09:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
deafclimber Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: hotlanta Posts: 3,569	glad to hear that you had a great experience up there, dude. i did see ur cool blog via ur link. __________________ Feel free to PM me if you have any question about Windows Mobile or AT&T Mobiliy's TAPs.

08-05-2005, 10:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
TweetyBird ... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21,496	i saw the pictures.. oh my! it sooo WONDERFUL! u have a blast fun!!!!! __________________ If you interesting order Scentsy and Pls click my website here www.scentsy.com/FaithLove.. thanks

Today
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08-03-2005, 06:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
webexplorer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New England Posts: 5,476	That's cool!!

08-03-2005, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
CODAchild Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cranston, Rhode Island Posts: 2,767	RJR it sounds like you had a wonderful time and a great learning experience. You made such wonderful new friends. What has impressed me is that you did things you thought you couldn't do. Don't ever give up on yourself, always keep trying new things. Glad you had a good time!!

08-04-2005, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
BabyAngel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,625	Awesome, you sound like you did have so much fun huh? Ha I am really happy for you that you have some new experience with everything. I am sure that you do feel so much independent! Can't wait to see some pictures!!

08-04-2005, 01:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
rjr2006 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,849	I finally got the pictures uploaded http://ylf2005.rwsite7.com/

08-04-2005, 05:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
rjr2006 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,849	i just secured the page for some reasons and please PM me for the password. Thanks!

08-05-2005, 12:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
IcedTeaRulz Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ...Not sure where I am... Posts: 1,833	Wow, it is very interesting! Glad that u went there! Bravo!

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