Learning to Help Myself by Yvonne M. LaChaux

One day my social worker took me to Berkeley to discuss therapy for me. We talked about how I could take better care of myself. I wanted to learn to do things for myself like taking off my clothes, shoes and braces. Like, handling my own money, making my own bed, cooking, walking with my walker better and speaking clearer.

The para-transit van would pick my mother and I up at our house and take us to the clinic at Alta Bates for my therapy. The two occupational therapists taught me to take care of myself. They taught me how to dress and undress myself, walk better, write my name and to move around in the wheelchair by myself.

While going to therapy I got new shoes, new braces and my own wheelchair. I can't do it all myself yet, but I take off my clothes, shoes and braces before I go to bed. At home I am continuing to learn to handle my own money and I keep all my receipts. In doing all this I am leaning to be more independent, so when the day comes that I move into an independent living situation I will be ready. Besides I really enjoy learning to help myself.

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

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