How are you involved with self-directed supports and self-determination? Why did you join the SDNetwork?

I have been involved with adults who have developmental disabilities and focusing on their life in the community for 33 years. I have known since I was in high school that I was not someone destined for corporate life, but rather that my work was meant to be working side by side with individuals who have a disability. To my good fortune that often has come with family, friends and community who surround those individuals. Working with people to identify the possibilities their lives hold and working toward the realization of hopes and dreams for their futures has been my lifes work and passion. I have met wonderful people and have been part of people's community-based homes and lives for many years. Being part of this ever-growing and transforming movement of life in the community and self-determination has been a blessing in my life. I was asked to help host the SDSnetworkand my hope is that through conversation and connectedness, that we together can find a sense of common purpose and sharing through this on line community.

The most exciting thing for me personally, at this juncture in my life, is that I amnetworkingwith people from around Wisconsin and the United Stated and finding that this movement is BIG! I moved to Madison in 1982 because it was where things were happening- creative, innovative and ground breaking. Today, widening my scope, outside of the world of residential supports in Dane County, I see this movement is BIG around the world! I have met people in the past several years from England, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Michigan, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, my dear home town of Madison, etcand am so excited to be living and learning in a widenetworkof passionate and energetic people who get-it! I guess I shouldnt be surprised. While I was working hard on a micro level, the world just kept charging forward around this on a macro level! Its awesome!

My tip is, be sure to tell your story. There is wisdom to be drawn on and information deep in your life stories that tell others, in a special way, who you are, whats important to you and what makes you tick. If people are listening well and looking to discover and realize what you are all about, your stories will go a great way in identifying those things. Personally, I believe that telling your life story through conversation goes much farther than answering a lot of questions about yourself on a piece of paper.

Also, identify your gifts; if you dont know what they are, just think about what you have to offer with your head, your hands and your heart. If you cant come up with it on your own, ask those who surround you in your life. You will be surprised with how the list grows once you start asking. Examine and think about what others say your gifts are. Gifts, talents, strengths, what you bring to others lives will be the beginning of your own discovery process and your journey of sharing and building on your lifes dreams.

Identify and grow yournetwork; these are your friends, family, acquaintances, fellow workers, neighbors etc,.., its amazing when people know your stories and dreams where that will lead. People will often reach out to help you discover your lifes goals once they know you value and acknowledge them as important in your life.

Thisnetworkis our common ground, were united by the thread of self-determination and self direction, lets make the most of it. The SDSnetworkis our community so lets engage. We can connect, have conversation, learn, or just run things by one another. The sky is the limit, but it takes each of us to extend ourselves out just a little bit. I know, I myself have wondered about what to post, wondered if it was the appropriate forum, thought about how to word things etc. My commitment is to no longer let that questioning voice get in the way of putting myself out there andnetworkingwith you all. I ask you to do the same. One thing I did do, which you too may find helpful, is make the SDSNetworkone of my home pages. Everyday when I log on to the internet, the SDSnetworkopens up and I have the opportunity to see whats new or better yet to comment and share.

I actually have had a dream vacation that I want to relive. How about that? I went to Grand Cayman Island about 20 years ago on a fluke. It was one of those last minute unbelievable deals that my husband and I could not pass up. To tell you the truth I didnt even know the first thing about the Cayman islands when I got on the plane. The 7-day vacation was such a beautiful experience that I want to go back. The land, the water, the people, were all amazing and beautiful. My favorite experience while on Grand Cayman was snorkeling. I took a sailboat out to a reef and swam with stingrays! I also snorkeled in a beautiful cove where schools of fish came and surrounded me and I swam with them. I could feel their little bodies swimming all around me. It was surreal.

My immediate community is Windsor/DeForest Wisconsin. I have lived here for about 19 years. Its a suburb about 5 minutes north of Madison. Its very green and country-like, but close to all the amenities of Madison. Perfect! The first thing I noticed out here is the country wave. Everybody waves when you drive by. Its heartwarming! I have great neighbors who have come to be good friends over the years. I love country walks and all the natural beauty I live near. As far as Madison; I love the openness, the people, the creativity, the lakes, the neighborhood festivals and the community as a whole. I couldnt think of a better place to live.