My Big Epiphany About My Rights

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I am really excited about a topic that came up at the most recent State Program Standing Committee for Developmental Services. Oh, it’s big, so please sit down.

I am not my own guardian and I want to change this.

I have as many rights in this predicament as a convicted prisoner in jail. Please picture what this must feel like. It kind of doesn’t make sense to many of you who have only met my mind.

I do have a body that doesn’t always follow good directions. So I’d need to practice using Supported Decision Making skills and using my typed words versus my often misleading vocal words would be mandatory.

Roy Gerstenberger

I want to thank Roy Gerstenberger, our new Director of Developmental Disabilities for the State of Vermont, for putting this idea in my head.

Barbara Prine, a lawyer from Vermont Legal Aid described how she works with her clients and their guardians to slowly shift the power of autonomy into the hands of the formerly guarded one. I know Green Mountain Self Advocates will cheer my process on.

Joyfully send good energy my way and I’ll let you know where I am on this in a few months.

On a different note, I want to celebrate the fact that the groundhog did not see its shadow, so spring will come soon. After we get some joyful snowstorms, of course.

I hope you’re getting plenty of rest this winter.

I also hope you keep writing your thoughts to me at utterlymark@yahoo.com

Oh, keep smelling the flowers in your heart's dooryard.

Fondly,

Mark

The Kindly Mover of Personal Change

The Happiness Recipe

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I am so happy about the great feedback I’ve been getting about my blog. I really have not much experience in getting feedback as it is still new for me to be sharing my thoughts. I would like to invite you to tell me anything that resonates with you today. Please email it to utterlymark@yahoo.com. Or comment on our “I am in here.” Facebook page.

On with today’s blog-

Yesterday the Bridging Program and I met at our new location; Studio 3 Dance Studio in Colchester, Vermont. I am totally in tune with these kids and yesterday they needed a Pep Talk.

So I wrote this:

“I am so happy to be with you and would like to open our time together with a word with you about Happiness.  We need to always be working to create it in our lives and the way we do that really starts with accepting Where You Are and Who You are With and holding that with Gratitude and Hope for Good Things to Happen.

I then asked for a discussion about it that Emily assisted with example-filled definitions and lively questions. It was hope creating.

I think everyone needs this Pep Talk and I totally suggest you take it into your morning meditation. If you don’t have a meditation just look to having a way to really thank the life you have and move it forward into more and more of what you want.

I am thinking about the changes I want to make in my life. They are huge. I easily will get there. I will find the humility, the courage and the strength. These are all good friends of mine. Please join me in this endeavor with your friends.

On another note, I want to tell you that the big world of goodness starts in the dooryard of your heart. Please take time to hang out there with your flowers.

Oh, my fine friends, be well.

On to the great fine, fun of our lives.

Fondly,

Mark

The Good Real Man of His Life

Our Visions Pave the Roads to Our Futures

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I happily wish you a great New Year and want to give you one more resolution to easily adopt into your life. I want you to smile at least ten times a day. How will you keep track? Use your fingers. If you are still on one hand at 2:00pm, get your grin in gear.

Oh, folks, there’s so much wonderful stuff to report.

I am a mentor to the students in the program that Emily coordinates which is called The Bridging Program. It’s part of Champlain Community Services where I now receive my services. I told Emily once she would be pleasantly surprised at the next spot our work would bring us.

It is fun for me to work with these students. They are all different in one way or another like me so I feel a deep bond between me and every one of them. I meet with them every Wednesday and we have a discussion about a question or story I share with them.

Here is how I started yesterday:

I’m interested in finding a way for the students to get energized for making visions of their lives. I’m going to tell them a story about me when I was their age.

(the students arrive)

I am really happy to see you all.

Once upon a time there was a boy named Mark who everyone thought was wanting more brains in his empty head. I am that boy and I want to say that I had to work very hard to not accept the thoughts people had about me.

I know people can make positive changes in their lives by holding tight to who they know they truly are. I had to hold a picture of me in a gold dress and then work towards that.  It’s why I’m in a gold sultan’s robe at the end of my movie; I am in here.

Since I’m now in a position to create a new picture I want to inspire you to do the same. We will go slow.  Today, I ask “What color fills your picture?”  Think a joyful thought and notice what color is with it. Be open to the possibility of what comes into your mind.

I love Love Stories, so my color will be pink.

(Each student shares a “joyful thought” and the color they feel when they think it)

Thank you. We will playfully move forward with this life changing exercise.

I am really excited about this project and wonder what the outcomes will be. You never know with work like this. The sky is the limit.

I want to leave you grinning so please think of me in a fairy outfit finishing out the year by kicking your old demons back into last year.

Have a great day.

Fondly,

Mark

The Mentor of Minds