In this Issue: Transition: Things To Come and New Beginnings...
President's Message
"March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month"  
"JJ's List"
"Where Can I Learn About Options for Life After High School"

President's Message: 

Winter is over and spring is here. Many of us love winter, but even those of us who leave Chicago to escape winter can agree, we all love Spring! There is something about new beginnings that gives us more hope, more excitement, and thinking about things to come. This issue covers new opportunities; if you hear of other opportunities you would like us to share, please send them to us. After all, the purpose of this newsletter is to continue to share stories with our families and friends.

I wanted to share my new "project"... my pups. I have two white golden retrievers, Darby and Delaney. They have started training to be therapy dogs, and I'm excited for the time when I can take them to speeches with me and demonstrate the difference a dog can make in the life of a person with a disability.

My pups have entered "Tails for Life University". You might have heard me speak of this organization before. They attend classes regularly, and it has been amazing to see them learn! http://tailsforlife.webs.com

Here are a few pictures of Darby and Delaney with their trainer Jake Guell.

You can see after their first week, they were sitting with food on their paws!
Learning self control for sure!

I will keep you updated each month on their journey to being able to visit families and participate in my speeches.
I'm sure I'm on a journey with them.

Warm Regards, 
               
Mary Anne Ehlert, 
President & Founder
                     
 
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
 
Let us not just use this as an opportunity to raise awareness, but
a time to celebrate Cerebral Palsy! 
 "What" you say, "should we celebrate?" 

Celebrate all we have learned about Cerebral Palsy, all the organizations, all the medical advancements, all the public awareness.
Celebrate the opportunity to educate others.  
Celebrate the achievements of those with Cerebral Palsy. 
Celebrate our loved ones with Cerebral Palsy, and the joy they bring to our lives.

So let us not only recognize March as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, but, Celebrate It!
 
Please read this article written by Bar b, a parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy. Thank you Barb for sharing your experience and helping us realize you cannot always see the obvious when you are standing in it.   Read Barb's article here. 

JJ's List
 

JJ's motto is "Where businesses and people with disabilities connect".
It is that, and much more! JJ's List reviews businesses on their disability aware customer service practices. In addition the JJ's Disability Awareness Players provide fun, lively and audience-inclusive training to companies and corporations.  To learn more about the company and how they are succeeding in educating companies visit their website here. 


"Where Can I Learn about Options for Life after High School" 

After graduating from high school, there are a wide range of options for your  future; choosing your path is a big decision.
Some options include:
* Going to college;
* Attending a trade or technical school;
* Participating in a job training or internship program;
* Volunteering; or
* Getting a job.

disability.gov has a great list of resources that can help you to begin your research for your child's next phase.  Check it out here.

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