Tea & Dolls

I may have to resort to doing multiple mini blogs over the next few days in order to get you all updated. 

For today, I'll start with last weekend's women's tea. Gisela Yohannan spoke and one of the first things she said when she got up after worship was asking us what would happen if Jesus answered our prayer and He was really all we had.  Would we be okay with that?  Or would we not be satisfied?  It was refreshing to have our focus shifted back to the fact that life is but a vapor.  I really enjoyed the fellowship - but it was a TEA and there was no HOT TEA!! 

 

Some of the lovely ladies at my table - made a couple new friends which is always GREAT!

Today was the second annual Down Syndrome Association of Orange County conference held at the Costa Mesa Hilton.  As usual, I love these events.  It's usually the same core group of volunteers, so there can be a bit of socializing before and after.  Poor Kristin, our wonderful and dedicated volunteer coordinator, has a hard time keeping us focused when we get there.

This event is especially put on for parents, educators, psychologists, therapists and self-advocates.  Our main duty as volunteers was to assist the self-advocates with going from class to class and assisting with any questions they had.  The sessions were on empowering the self-advocates to make their voice heard in their community, school, church and family so their needs and wants were known.  

One of the session leaders had us all make a wish board by cutting out pictures and words from magazines on what we wanted to accomplish in our lives.  Another leader invited various self-advocates to share what goals they had and we all discussed how to make those goals a reality.  Kathy, a 21-year old woman with Down syndrome, wants to work in day care.  Kathy didn't think it could ever happen though.  She doesn't have any experience right now, but we brainstormed various ways for her to garner experience and knowledge in order to start the process and achieve her dream job.  It was very exciting to watch her realize that her goal could be a reality!

Finally, we had a self-advocate, who lives on his own and has been in the job force for 20 years, share his story and answer any of their questions.  Ralph is a true gentleman.  He was also like an uncle as each participant told him about their jobs. He was smiling and would make comments like, "That is a perfect job for you" and "Awesome."  He is a pleasure to be around!

And, if all that wasn't enough, a little 14 month old baby girl, Rosemary, was there with her parents.  A doll!!  While fear may be a common emotion when a parent finds out their child has Down syndrome Rosie's mother was full of hope for her daughter's future.  A lot of the volunteers have a family member who has a special need and she was very inquisitive while we all stood around and ooed and aahed over her little girl.  Her mother said she is a very loved little girl and I think that is a great way to begin life!