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