It's Been a Minute....

Or a lotta minutes to be exact....I think that many, like me, in their late 20's have found a career they truly enjoy and are settling in quite nicely.  While we really  love the career paths we have chosen (at last i love mine, I shouldn't speak for everyone) we get caught up in the daily tasks of each day, and making sure those around us are happy, providing the best answers we can to endless amounts of questions in order to keep things around us progressing forward in a positive direction.  I am often at fault for getting caught up in the daily tasks and routine.  At least once a week I try to sit back in solitude and reflect on where I have been, what I am thankful for and where I am headed in my journey of life.  Once a week isn't enough for me.  I lose sight, and balance of what is really at the center of my soul driving me forward.

I am truly fortunate to have found a career path that enlightens my life, rather than driven by money and material possessions.  Do I lead a comfortable life?  Absolutely!  I own a car, I rent an apartment that has electricity, running water and heat as the winter months are around the corner. Oh, and I can fill my fridge with groceries, if I so choose.  :)  Leading a comfortable life is fantastic and it's even more fantastic if you are comfortable with the person living that life (you)!!!

Becoming comfortable with the woman I am did not happen overnight...trust me.  Each dawn that  breaks on a new day  is another opportunity to fulfill the calling I was brought to this earth to accomplish and assist others in finding their passions here on this incredible planet.  With each new day, I hope to continue to lead a fulfilling life and stay strong in the fact that I am an ultimately very driven woman with a soul that is ready to share; love, laughter, passion, happiness and the occasional struggle with great friends and family as we continue to figure out the drive that is at the center of our Being's!  Take the time to pause, reflect, be grateful and continue to move forward to answer The Call!

Phenomenal Woman

Super Soul Sunday on the OWN network always seems to touch a part of my soul, motivate and inspire me in the exact ways I've been craving and needed all in one.  Last week and today Oprah interview Dr. Maya Angelou.  At the age of 85 Dr. Angelou continues to inspire those she encounters across the globe.  Many things she shared during her "Super Soul"interview resonated with me, but there are two pieces I would like to share with all of you...

In our lives' journey there people who have come before us and paved the way for us to leave this world better than we have found it, they have allowed us to be free and to make the decisions we choose to make on a daily basis, they have loved and forgave so we too can learn to love and forgive.  As Dr. Angelou says, "your crown has already been bought and paid for, all you have to do is put it on your head."  A definitely powerful statement to ponder as we live each day and reflect on who and what got us to the place in our life we are now.  

The second point I would like to bring home, is that of Virtue.  Dr. Angelou spoke about virtue she considers to be the most important, and it just so happens that I also consider this virtue to be the most important.  COURAGE is the virtue Dr. Angelou and I both consider to be virtue that will help to pull you through the most challenging and happiest times of your life.  

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without it, you cannot practice any other virtues consistently."  I have the word "Courage" tattooed on my left wrist; as a woman who is living independently with a disability it is important to remind myself each day, the obstacles and hurdles as well as, the success I have had, and the courage in my soul that has to be brought to the surface each day to achieve my dreams.

To close this post I would like to share the poem "Phenomenal Woman" and share photos of some phenomenal women in my life who have helped to shape me into the woman I am today, and continue to become.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

Maya Angelou

Just a little history of Jess

To begin with a little history and who I am is probably the best place to start.  The history will give you, as readers a perspective as to where all of these crazy thoughts, ideas, and real life happenings come from.

In the early Spring of 1985, almost 28 years ago "a good size Brook Trout" entered the world (and yes, a good size Brook Trout is what the doctor told my parents as I was born).  Delivered three moths premature, weighing in at 2lbs 8oz life's journey officially began.  My mom told me, all the diapers were too big, my grandma had to knit me hats around a tennis ball to fit my head, I wore Cabbage Patch Doll clothes and the CareBear Bunny in my bassinet looked gigantic compared to my little body.  My parents were overjoyed and filled with love but were nervous nonetheless.  There were not the medical advances there are now back then, so they had no idea their daughter would survive, let alone what they would discover may be wrong as she grew.

Close to the age of two I was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP).  So began the nine major orthopedic surgeries throughout my childhood.  Learning to walk again and again, after each surgery with a walker and crutches.  The journey was not easy but with the love and support from family and friends I came out on the other side stronger than ever.  Bay Cliff Health Camp in the Upper Peninsula of MI near my hometown was the place I initially learned to dress and feed myself along with all of the other daily activities most of us (including me) often take for granted.  Let's fast forward to 2004.

2004 was the year when my entire world opened up.  I always knew from the time I was a little girl I wanted to move away from home and go to college.  In June of 2004 I received my high school diploma was more than ready to live independently and start a new chapter in my life.  My parents were worried as to how I would handle being away from home and how I would conquer the day-to-day tasks/challenges any "normal" 18year old faces, let alone their daughter who has CP.  Well, needless to say, I'm quite stubborn and was going to prove that I could in fact live on my own, do all of the daily chores, make friends, AND go to class just like everyone else despite having a disability.

From August of 2004 to May of 2008 I attended St. Norbert College (SNC) in De Pere, WI where I majored in Communications with a minor in Sociology.  While at SNC, a friend of mine (who is conquering life with a disability) and I decided that we were going to study in Washington, D.C. for a semester.  Again, my parents were nervous to send their daughter to a big city...but yet again I knew it was time for that next step.  From January-April 2007 I attended The American University Washington Semester Program where I studied Journalism and interned for the NBA's Washington Wizards.  At the time, my friend and I did not realize, that we were the first two students from SNC with disabilities to ever attend the Washington Semester Program.  When we arrived back in WI we were mini celebrities, with our story in the local newspapers, news channels and were on a television show with the Dean of SNC!  In a future blog post I will share some of the accessibility/life with a disability in a big city obstacles we had to overcome but still laugh about to this day!  :)  In May of 2008 I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and was ready to show the world what Jess had to offer!

After working at Bay Cliff Health Camp in 2008 for the third consecutive summer, I had met a dear friend from California that summer and decided after camp to take a trip to Cali to visit and expand my horizons a bit more.  Long story short...after doing an interview for a job while in Cali, I flew home and then back out to Washington D.C. for two weeks of interview, back to MI where I told my parents I was moving to Los Angeles, and two weeks later with my suitcase, duffle bag, walker, crutches and powerchair off I went!!  :)

October 2008-April 2009 I worked for a marketing firm promoting high-end cosmetics throughout Southern California.  I loved the weather and the culture, but quickly realized I was not meant to sell things for the rest of my life and there was a deeper calling for me in this world.  I returned to MI in May of 2009 where I then again spent the summer at Bay Cliff on staff.  After another trip to Cali that included the West Coast Love Tour (WCLT) I returned home to again focus on school.

In January 2010, I started graduate studies at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI.  In April 2012 I graduated with a Master's in Public Administration:  Nonprofit Management and Leadership.  This degree has now landed me at a nonprofit near my hometown that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities into our communities and assists them in living full and independent lives.

Sorry for such the long post...I felt as if a little history/background was needed to better understand where future posts are coming from!  :)  Thanks for taking the time to read!

J

This has definitely been a long time coming.  I've been one to journal and write on occasion and have wanted to started a blog for quite a few years but it's always been one of those things "I've never gotten around to."  Well, now I've finally gotten around to it.

This blog will be a combination of thoughts, triumphs, travels, and tribulations all related to me and the life I live!  As a 28 year old woman, living independently with Cerebral Palsy the dawn of each day brings its unique situations that I must overcome, laugh about, and continue on the path in this journey will all call life.

With that being said, I want to welcome you to a front row seat of the life of "Just Jess"!  I hope this blog makes you laugh, smile, and you are able to open your soul to feel on a deeper level  as a different perspective on life is brought to you from my eyes, heart, mind and soul.  Enjoy!