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On the Last Five Years

Five years ago, had anyone asked me where I’d be five years later, I promise, it wasn’t with OVR.

Five years ago tonight, on the eve of my first day of work, I was thankful I wasn’t alone. Thankful my sister was there with me- that she was there for those first six weeks was such a God-send as I began the next chapter of my life.

As I was readying for bed on that night, I laid out my Grandma’s sweatshirt, the one I have had for 20 years. I put it on, I needed to feel her love.

Throughout the last five years, the support of my family has ensured my success. In the beginning, it was giving me rides, both to and from work, and to and from Edinboro during my internship, getting my groceries, helping me clean, helping me decorate, visiting me, staying with me for a week so we could brainstorm why I was falling so often, driving two hours to help me get off the floor, helping me get myself to the store, helping me discover a pool, etc. So many things that laid the foundation for the person I am today. And today, I’m able to spend quality time with my family very often because of the changes of the last five years- God is good.

Because of my personal experience with disability, I did have a good idea of what I was getting myself into with my new job, but I was incredibly overwhelmed from the beginning at work. Thank God I work with great people who support me, because I wouldn’t have made it otherwise. In five years, I’ve had the opportunity to have three different caseloads, three different supervisors. I’m thankful for each one, because now I finally am able to recognize that I’m good at what I do. I’ve grown into a great counselor because of them, because of the changes.

I’m so thankful that during those first few months, I had to travel to Edinboro each month. During those long days, I spent time with my mentor, my friend. Though our monthly chats were a far cry from our at least once weekly chats, the consistency of that friendship helped me keep going. Five years later, it still keeps me going. Her support is unwavering and means so much.

A year and a half into all of the change, I began the process of getting some help with some every day tasks. It was a life changer for me, and every day, I’m grateful for the support of my Personal Care Aides. 

None of that would have been possible without my former Service Coordinator, who subsequently now is my friend. I’m forever grateful for her friendship, grateful that we can rant to each other. We laugh about the craziness of our jobs, we celebrate Fridays. I am blessed.

It’s hard for me to believe that it has been five years. May I never lose sight of the struggle of each one, and may I always be grateful for change, even when it seems impossible and terrifying.

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