My Story by Rob Olson

My name is Rob Olson. I am in a wheelchair. I am very jumpy when I hear a loud noise. I like to listen to music. I like to watch T.V. I like to go to Disneyland. I like to go camping. I like to go to church. I like visiting with people like my neighbors. I like watching little kids play.

It took 5 years for me to get into a group home. I like living there. I live with six other people. I like the staff. They are very nice to me. Since I've been in this home, I have been on a lot of trips during the summer. So far, I've been on three trips this year. I've gone to Disneyland, Great America and Reno. I had a lot of fun.

I went to school since I was four years old. My mom put me on the bus and I cried all way to school. I stopped crying when I got to school. I love listening to music at school. I liked school. The teachers were very nice to me. When I was ten years old, one of the teachers wanted me to have a communication device because I can't talk. My first device was an Epson. I had that for about twenty years. It stopped working. I have a PowerBook now. It works really good. I can't use it right now because I have some problems with my neck and back.

I have one brother and one sister. My brother is getting married next year. I am very excited. My sister is in college. She is doing well. My mom is thinking about going back to work as a teacher. I think she will do well. My dad is still working very hard. He likes to joke around with me.

I went to camp a lot. I had a good time at camp. We had campfires. I went on vacation with my family when I was a little boy. We went up to the Sierra mountains. We went to the mountains and I remember we played and ate out all week.

One summer, I remember our neighbors house caught on fire. My Dad saw the fire in the back yard and he helped put the fire out. He took our garden hose and ran to the neighbors house. I was out there watching. I thought it was very funny. I still see Grandma once in a while. Last year she came and stayed with my parents. I think it was very hard for Grandma and my parents. Grandma did not want to get out of bed. I think she was depressed. Now she's gone back to where she was living and she seems happier. Grandma is kind of funny sometimes because she likes to do things her way. I was in the hospital a few years ago and Grandma was very concerned. She would call the nurses station everyday and yell at them. I thought it was pretty funny but the nurses didn't think so. I guess she wanted me to have the best care at the hospital. My parents were very nice to me. My mom came in the morning and sat with me until late afternoon. Then my dad came and sat with me until I fell asleep. I thought that was pretty neat.

I like going out. We went to the movies the other day and we watched "Batman and Robin." It was very good. I went with my "Creative Living class."I have been going to the Cerebral Palsy Center for about ten years. It sounds like I have been here forever but I like it here. I have a lot of friends here. I like the classes. I really like the books online. I get to read whatever I want. It's fun. I've read part of the "Phantom of the Opera." I liked it.

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

(Home)