Just like physical therapy and occupational therapy have goals, I needed to do goals for Self Direction. For my Self Direction goals, I did socializing in the community, learning how to swim, horseback riding and then, I did baking for a rainy day. I look back and I ask myself, “I already have so many hours. Does it pay to add walking or will it overwhelm the aides?”
I added a lot of physical goals to force myself to work on myself. Why? Throughout high school and college, I have not had a lot of time to work on myself physically. My muscles have probably started to atrophy and I want to reverse that. I also want to swim leisurely and gain independence in the pool. I would love to do some of those water sports like snorkeling and tubing. Maybe I will get married one day and my husband wants to go snorkeling on our honeymoon. I want to be able to go with him without being a burden. And I want to be more involved with horseback riding.
And I want to meet people at the pool or elsewhere in the community. I almost am done with school and I don’t want to be isolated from parties or social events. I want to break down the social barrier of not being self-conscious when talking to a guy or not being jittery around that hot guy. I want to know what’s going in the community too.
I hope those dreams come true. Right now, they all seem like fantasies, but hopefully, they come true as my independence unfolds.