Community Integration by Monique Davis

The CP Center summer program was a good program. I volunteered at the art school. The first day at the art school, the kids were nice to play with. The teachers were very nice. I helped the teachers get art supplies ready for the kids. I miss going. I rode the public transit bus to the art school once a week. I liked riding the public transit bus, but it was scary. I have never rode the public transit bus before. It was a new experience for me.

During the first summer, we did a lot of fun things like going to Chinatown in San Francisco. The one thing I remembered was my teacher pushing a consumer in a wheelchair up a hill. The teacher looked funny. I think she almost passed out. We traveled by public transit to San Francisco. It was fun. Before we went to Chinatown, we hung out at the Embarcadero. We saw some blue people giving out blue flowers. I don't really know why they were there. They looked crazy. On that same day, we saw an alien. He was about ten feet tall. We tried to talk to him but I don't remember what he said. That was kind of weird.

On June 10,1996 I moved in to my own apartment. It was hard to pay my rent every month. I Iike being in my own home. Every two weeks I go grocery shopping with my independent living skills teacher. We look in my kitchen together to decide what I would need for the next two weeks. We also balance my check book at the end of the month.

My mother was not happy that I moved out . We fought a lot. My baby sister was so proud of me. She wanted me to move out on my own. My middle sister was not happy about it. When I moved out my aunt was so proud. In 1996, l moved out. My mom wanted me to wait a year.

l have an independent living skills teacher from Clausen House. They help me to learn to be independent. She helps me pay rent, bills and phone bill. I am glad l moved. If l have a problem, l talk to Sherry, Alice and Paula. My best friend is Sherry. Alice and Dick help me a lot too. l am glad I have them for my support .

I live in Oakland California. It is a nice place to live. I grew up in Sacramento California. l miss it . My friend and I grew up there. We went to elementary school and high school together. My grandmother helped me a lot.

l am 32 years old. l am not married. l am single. l want to get married but it's hard to find the right man. l hope to find one some day.

I like to go to the movies on the weekend. I also like to go to Berkeley. I like the record stores and cafes. I like spending time at the park. There is a park three blocks from me. The grocery store is about a block from my house. The drug store is on the same block as the grocery store. It's easier for me that the stores are close.

l am volunteering at an after school program. I help out the teachers. I like the kids. The kids are very nice to me. Some of the kids need to get used to me. Some kids don't play with me. I think they just need to be around me more.

I am a board member with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. I will serve 3 years. We meet once a month. I hope I do a good job.

If you would like to contact me, please e-mail me attention Monique.

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