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Post by Jackie on May 8, 2004 13:13:46 GMT -5
oops...forgot to send the whole message....LOL but its official...Em goes to Houston (Seabrook) on June 1.....she will first go to Vegas ...then on to Austin...and from there Katie and I will drive her (3 hrs) to Houston.
Her official title will be....HOUSE MANAGER....she will be workning about 20 hrs a week cleaning a very large home for my friend Norine and her hubby. Her duties also include...answering the phone...dealing with deliveries and repair people...etc. The first week she is there Norine is attending a self advocates conference and will take Emily along. I will keep you all posted....and updated. Right now is the hard part...we are gutting her room for the first time in five years...LOL....so if we do sell our house while she is away she is in on decision making as to what to keep. She is excited and wants to find an Elton John poster in Vegas for her new walls...
Jackie mom to Em 24 in Texas
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Post by Jackie on May 8, 2004 15:19:36 GMT -5
I seem to be talking to myself today....LOL....and I must admit I am in somewhat of a reflective mood as well. I have just finished posting all sorts of stuff here about Emilys new job and her move away from home. My sister was visiting with me and said...."are you SURE you want her to clean someone's house?" (this is my dear sis who has spent the last year saying...Jackie...Em needs a job...just let her take any job for the time being...its better than sitting at home...LOL) and I thought maybe now would be a good time to repost something I posted here in 2001. I may have posted it here recently but my mind just cant remember...but there are so many new ones on here I wanted to share why I am HAPPY about Emily being a HOUSE MANAGER/MAID.
Jackie ******************************************** from Uno Mas 2001 Emily's job hunt has started off well. I think she filled out applications with the school system and a local grocery store that has a salad bar. She is going out Wednesday and is a bit vague about where they are going.
I did have a "downer" today. Another parent of a child with DS called me for some advice and in the process told me of another individual with a son with DS who told her my goals were too high for Emily. Well, in a sense, maybe she is partially right...there was a time when I had high hopes Emily might work in an office or be a runner for a law firm or have a job more like her non disabled peers. I also had hopes of higher academic achievements...but as time went by I readjusted my dreams....I never pushed Emily into anything she did not herself want...any direction she did not seem to want to go.....and when she was old enough to communicate with me in a more mature manner, I tried to follow her lead. Yes...looking back...some of my goals were probably a little too lofty...but without hope...what is there in life? I know there is lots of "me" out there in all of you. People who are determined that the lives of their kids are going to be better than those who have gone before. Without this drive and these attitudes we would never see progress and change. As recently as thirty years ago our kids with DS couldnt go to public school. They were schooled in places like church basements by groups of parents. If those parents had not had visions back then...where might we all be now? I think we should all aim for the stars...have well defined goals...and the loftier the better! If a time arrives in your life for DREAM REDEFINITION....you will know...and you will deal with it just fine.
I think I have related to some of you how long it took me to come to terms with Emily wanting to work in food service. When she was a babe in arms at our Infant program in Denver, a social worker told us with a big smile...."all your sons will be janitors...and your daughters can work in food service!!!" Of course I made up my mind then and there...food service...NEVER...but a year or two ago I had an experience that changed my outlook....we were as a family working the holiday meal at the local Salvation Army...my job being working on the serving line while Ems was filling cups with ice. I saw her looking longingly at me piling food on plates but ice is where they assigned her. As the line started getting shorter, I asked her if she would like to serve for awhile...she eagerly came and took over..figured it all out immediately...and positively glowed. On the way home in the car it came to me....in this life...SOMEONE HAS TO SERVE THE TURKEY!!!!!....and why not Emily. It was a great moment of awakening for me that nothing in this life in the way of work is lowly or demeaning if it is rewarding to the person doing it. I am looking foreward to whatever job she chooses and hope she hangs in there til the one she really wants comes her way.
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Post by rickismom on May 8, 2004 17:19:54 GMT -5
Wow!!! How fantastic for Emily to have a job! I know how important that is, so it is really great news!
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Post by Jackie on May 8, 2004 17:56:29 GMT -5
Thanks...this is still not the restaurant job she would have liked...but she really likes Norine....the pictures of their home...and their two dogs...and the thought of being way away from us..(LOL)...also she is a whiz at home here with housekeeping...she does all the laundry (without being asked changes the beds....cleans the bathrooms...and the kitchen...does the dishes....sets the table.....so she will just have a few more skills to learn but Norine has promised to take her thru one room a day at the git go...and already has a task chart made out....this is Norines calling...plus her bro who is 10 yrs older than Em has DS . The fact that the home is four stories will make it a bit of a challenge...but in time the stairs will be good for Emilys knee...getting it in shape to repair her ACL once she has lost enough wt. The plan is for Em to come home or go to Katies when they leave town....later with supports she might stay there and do dog sitting...we are just playing it by ear...and one day at a time. Jackie
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Post by Becky on May 8, 2004 18:37:17 GMT -5
Sounds like Em is going to be all set up, I would love to take care of some elses home ,I just like to take care of mine it seems it is never clean, as soon as I pick something up Justin has it back on the floor so I just dont pick it up tell he is asleep. How are doing with Em going to be so far from home? Sounds like she will get her excerise from the stairs she will have to climb everyday. Did you say if the were close to water? Hope it goes good for her, you will have to tell you her to send some photos for you to post. Becky
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Post by PaigesMom on May 8, 2004 19:56:12 GMT -5
Hi Jackie,
I've only "known" you and Em for a short while, but you both have brought so much into mine!!
I am so happy for her, (I'm sure it's hard for you to see your chickens fly the coop so to speak) and I am proud to have her as such a role model for our younger kids with DS - and for those without.
Everything you have ever said about her makes me know that my daughter will take tremendous strides just like her --------- and hey, LOTS OF people make the big bucks cleaning/housekeeping for others - maybe one day she could have her own little business going, right?
So hooray for Emily and hooray for you because you've done one heck of a job!!
Debbie
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Post by vicki c on May 8, 2004 20:06:24 GMT -5
oh jackie........i know this is hard for you and ed, but i really think emily will love it!!!!! as much as i wish for philip to find a situation like this when he gets older, i know part of me will just want him to be with me forever...uggggg....it's tough being a mom!!!!!! you and emily both are such great role models for sooooo many--me being on the top of that list!!!!!!!...hang in there!!!!!!
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Post by christie on May 8, 2004 20:15:41 GMT -5
CONGRATULATIONS EMILY
on your new venture
ENJOY ;D
CC
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Post by samanthajosmom_12 on May 9, 2004 8:04:41 GMT -5
wtg Emily! I KNOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT HOUSE MANAGER! SUE
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Post by donnita on May 10, 2004 0:26:50 GMT -5
Your Emily sure does a lot more housework than my Emily (or Sarah or Katy) does! Now, who is going to clean your house after Emily leaves?
Congratulations and Good Luck Emily!
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Post by SuziF on May 10, 2004 8:10:38 GMT -5
Congrats & Bon Voyage Emily! ~Aw Jackie, I know it's rough but your girl has accomplished so much!What a wonderful journey she's beginning! Hugs,' Suzi
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Post by meghans_mom on May 10, 2004 8:44:58 GMT -5
Congrats Emily! Jackie, I know this must be a bittersweet time for you and Ed -- but it's wonderful and I know Emily will do a terrific job! BTW - if you can't find an Elton John poster in vegas, allposters.com has several. I've bought from them before and they're a decent company. Again - wish Emily good luck from us! laurie
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Post by updowns on May 10, 2004 17:23:39 GMT -5
Congratulations Emily - WTG ;D! That is great news Jackie although I'm sure you must have mixed feelings about it (I know I would), especially if you are doing a total clearout of her room, but I'm sure Emily must be so excited and it is a wonderful opportunity for her. Stella
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Post by Jackie on May 10, 2004 17:57:22 GMT -5
it is a great opportunity....but the best part is that she will be under the thumb of Norine who is marvelous and hopefully will open some new vistas unavailable to her here such as self determination.
Jackie
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Post by steffipoo on May 10, 2004 20:11:39 GMT -5
CONGRATS to Emily!!!! Jackie BTW she looks much tinier in person.She has lost a lotta weight!!!!Liv will have a restaurant job over my dead body.LMAO.... Not because of the title or that I think its below her at ALL...BUT the child has absolutely NO SELF CONTROL when it comes to food. After you 2 have spent your entire lives together it must be hard.... not like Katie or Marnie its just a different ya know? Nice to hear she is going to have a lotta responsibilities yet still is with one of your friends too. Kinda the best of both worlds. AND the copart is she'll be in the BIG CITY with a lot le on her owna month. I think it will give EM a lot more opportunities that she wouldn't have in Amarillo. ya think? The self advocate group sounds like a great start. Hope she can stay involved and meet lotsa new people all on her own....HUGS to you EM and you 2 Jackie... Steff
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