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Hi There!
My name is Barbara Watkins and I am 54. After turning 17 life threw me a curve ball. -A severe stroke due to birth control pills. I could not believe my unfortunate circumstances. A young person like me should be dancing and shopping like I’d done the day before! After 3 months in a coma I woke up with Developmental Disabilities and no speech. Sure when I woke up I went through the usual stages. Depression, Devastation, Jealousy, Pity Parties, and Bargaining with God. After 37 years I am a different person; however I will tell you about my biggest accomplishment “thus far”.
I am sometimes attracted to the unknown so when I told the institution where I was living in 1987, that I wanted to live independently they secretly wanted to put me in a crisp, white straight jacket and tack LOONY TOONS on my room door. There were a lot of concerns, much of which I could understand and appreciate. One of the many concerns was my not being able to communicate with the world. I had a communication device but I barely used it. It took 8 years of fights, and more downs then ups but in March of 2000 I won my independence.
I got my own apartment and quickly learned why the concern. I had to express my needs and wants to everyone concerned. So my AAC became my best friend. Now I run my household and my plan of care through my AAC. My augmentative device is my second voice of a lifetime but I am also blessed with two other forms of AAC. (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) In bed I use an alphabet chart. Unable to use my hands I have a stick put in my mouth and I spell words. Yeah it takes patience but that’s ok. Out of bed I communicate with my augmentative device and my computer. I even use the phone! Yep, I can communicate with anyone. I once thought my life was over yet I sit here today with AAC that continues to reopen doors that slammed shut when I had a debilitating stroke in 1972. I have 3 ways to communicate now and no reason to say I cannot communicate.
I am emailing tons of people and constantly writing letters to my doctor, manager, or whoever else. If invited I write and give speeches. Since graduating from Partners and Policymaking in 2005 I email and write letters to Senators and Congressmen for different causes. We all need dreams and goals so do not fear or worry about failure because you never know how far you will get with persistence and the willingness to answer the question, “AM I WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR MY DREAM?” There will be more downs than ups but worth it when you get to that finish line and see your achievements. YOU CAN DO IT!
The End