The Success of a Self-Advocate: A Transition Story By Jessica Laine Hart Moderated by: Debbie Wilkes Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Who am I? Employee at Region 10 Self-Advocate Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Objectives • Avoid pitfalls of transition planning – – Learn to listen to the person – Avoid making assumptions – Follow through • Discover what worked and didn’t work in the school system and Vocational Rehabilitation • Learn the role of Medicaid Waiver Programs to enhance transition. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
How You Can Help Today • Audience participation – Ask questions Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
I was born on January 3, 1984 weighing in at only 2 lbs. and 3 oz. The day after I was born my parents found out that I had Cerebral Palsy. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
D.R. Wilkes Consulting
D.R. Wilkes Consulting
CP is a group of brain disorders that affects movement. The brain does not send proper signals to the muscles. The person is unable to control how certain muscles tighten or relax. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Cerebral Palsy • Not a disease. • Doesn’t get worse over time, • Not contagious • There is no cure • Cases vary from mild to severe D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Control/Support versus Cure • Speech Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • Electric Wheelchair • Botox treatment Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
CP and Me • The Problem: My left hand basically is fisted all of the time • The Solution: – Occupational Therapy – Touch Screen – Wireless Mouse and keyboard – Enlarged grip on fork Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
CP and Me • Problem: Mobility, grooming, dressing, and sometimes eating • Solution: – Mom helps me – Attendant care • While in school – 30 hours • After graduation- 60 hours a week – Adaptive equipment at the home – Paratransit – Soup - someone helps me or I avoid it Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Elevator D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Track for lift D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Roll-in Shower Lift D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Wheelchair Accessible Van D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Getting to know ME • Direct questions to me • Don’t assume that I have an Intellectual Developmental Disability • If you don’t understand me, ask me to clarify. It is worth listening to me. You may learn something new. • Don’t be afraid of me Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Cortical Visual Impairment • Larger font • Customized computer (touch screen) • Great memory Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
School Days Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Terrace Elementary: PPCD What worked • Being around other kids What didn’t work • Expecting me to see and learn like others Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Richland Elementary: K-6 What worked • Aides who expected me to do my own work • Teachers who accommodated • Third grade Mom began thinking about transition What didn’t work • Aides who over helped • OT who wrote inaccurate assessments with no functional plan • Expecting me to learn things on the curriculum schedule and not my Jessica L. Hart schedule Self Advocate • Wasting time D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Elementary Transition • Began Person • Put on waiting list Centered Planning for CLASS 1992 • Parent connecting • Received CLASS with other end of 1995 agencies • Parent attending – UCP Dallas Transition – UCP Texas Information Team • Testifying in Meetings Austin regarding Jessica L. Hart CLASS Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Richardson Junior High What Worked • Switching aides • Took state assessment with accommodations only • Math teacher recognized that some days were better for learning than others • Including friends my age at my person centered plan • Choir What didn’t work • OT didn’t want to try computer programs Apple versus IBM Jessica L. Hart D.R. Wilkes Consulting Self Advocate
Gold Award Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Berkner High School What Worked • Discontinued OT • Rolinda Duran from TCB • Continuing with Person Centered Planning • Relationship with Tyler • Summer employment • Riding DART • Being part of the high school What didn’t work • Huge school/elevator Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Prom Ram Jam Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Transition Program: Richland What worked • Person Centered Planning • Employability Skills Class at Richland • Traveling to Chicago and New Orleans • Starting and ending day at home • Determining what I wanted to do (not take classes, telemarketing) • Got paid job Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
CLASS Medicaid Waiver I am on the CLASS Medicaid waiver or Community Living and Assisted Support Services. CLASS provides funds for habilitation, therapy services, adaptive aids, case management, nursing and minor home modifications. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
How I use CLASS • 60 hours attendant care – 12 hours helping at Region 10 and Police Department – 15 to 20 getting up in AM and ready for bed in PM • Occupational Therapy (1 hour a week) • 12 hours recreational therapy a month Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
There is a reason that God created each and every one of us. I believe God has many purposes for me. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
I hope you’ll feel free to ask me any questions, because I want you to have a full understanding about me. Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
Jessica Laine Hart Jessica L. Hart Self Advocate D.R. Wilkes Consulting
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