Still Going Strong

I'll say it. It is hard to believe that it's been two years...full of adventure! I have enjoyed every single moment of my first two independent years of life. My parents have been my rock, my assistants have been an incredibly strong support system and my friends have been making me smile since freshmen orientation. It's been crazy and I love that.

Going home for the summer is not as hard as last year. I don't feel like I'm losing anything. Last year, I felt this sense of loss now I see these eight weeks to get re energized for my junior year of college (yikes!). As a family, we have decided to hire an assistant for the summer. I realize this is big on my parent’s parts. Our family dynamic is perfect and they don't want to change that but, at the same time, I am almost twenty and deserve some independence during the summer. I want to thank my parents for understanding this and look forward to meeting another special woman. In addition to enjoying some independence this summer and working at my therapy clinic, I will be attending a week long leadership conference which will be so much fun. And, of course CAMP COURAGE! I'm really excited about both those things.

Before I start summer, I have to say good-bye to a lot of people. I have the greatest family in the world BUT good-byes are very difficult. Saying good-bye to my assistants is always incredibly difficult. They are the ones who I see constantly and in turn, I get emotionally attached. Here is a thank you to each individual assistant:

Kim: She is incredible. She is so strong and I have a lot of respect for her. Kim comes rain or shine and gives each day her best effort with me.

Amanda: Amanda gives up her Saturday evenings to have dinner with me and she and I have the best girl talk ever!

Aislin: I absolutely love Aislin. She dances to the beat of her own drum and I have a lot of respect for her not conforming to society. She understands the job and does the job quite well.

Therese: This young lady is simply incredible! She gets the crises and the tears. One assistant has to! She can comfort me at any time. She is graduating in a matter of weeks and I will miss her.

Abby: She is my sweetie pie. Her heart is full of love and devotion to all in her life and you can't help but love her! She will graduate also and I will miss her.

Annie: Previous posts have spoken to Annie's love and devotion to me. This woman is incredible!

Valerie and Megan: They have been devoted to me from day one. They both have my love. These are the girls that are going to be putting my graduation cap and gown on; I think that says it all!

Along with these young women, there is the student support staff to thank. These people have become like family. I find myself taking my guard down in front of them. Last week I had a complete meltdown and they all comforted me until I was happy. I think they were surprised that I was willing to open up to them like that. It's been a wonderful journey together and I cannot wait for it to keep blossoming!

Since I am almost a junior, I am definitely thinking about post graduation plans. I will say it.

My dream job is to work for the Courage Center (they make Camp Courage). I do want to move to Minnesota and have part of my life set in Minnesota. I have told my nearest and dearest friends this plans before I told my readers because it is definitely a dream in the making. Will this happen after graduation? Probably not. I think the realistic picture is an apartment in downtown Evanston or somewhere nearby my parents because I am very dependent on them when things go wrong. However, you all know how stubborn I am and I will work for Courage. It may be that I find my husband in Minnesota and I can have my life partner with me as I follow my dream. To me, right now that seems like the most practical plan. As my mother said, your husband will be the one person who is as devoted as dad and I are to you. That is the truest thing ever. I thought you guys deserved to know my career dreams.

Speaking of Courage, I will be going for the typical week and staying one extra night for someone very special to me. My Irish guy! Keith's birthday is the night that camp ends. My cousin, Lauren agreed to let me crash at her place that night. I am thrilled because all of our mutual camp friends are going to be there and when I am with them, I have to be their camper (we do have our friend moments at camp though) but to spend a night just being Hannah will be awesome! Thanks, Lauren!

Before I end, I will update you on the gagging. I talked to you about it last May if you don't remember. It's still a part of my life unfortunately. It has made me vomit, that is how strong the episodes can be. My doctor did put me on Mucinex. I'll explain this theory. My mucus is thicker than the average person due to my tongue not being able to move as much as you subconsciously would move it. So, my doctor thought about this fact and thought, well her gag reflexes could suddenly be triggered by my mucus. The Mucinex has helped tremendously with this. I'm not gagging as much. However, with finals and being stressed about grades, the gagging has been a free for all. I mean, on the morning that I received my final Astronomy grade, I was gagging so much that I ended up vomiting all over this REALLY cute outfit I had on and had to change. I will say that this just sucks. And, the most frustrating part is that the doctors still just don't know. They think its part of my movement disorders which I agree with but it's frustrating because I'm in their offices and they look at me like I'm a mystery. It is the most frustrating, disconcerting, maddening feeling in the world. You know, when people stare at me in public, I get it but when my doctors do it, it's just sad. Thankfully, I don't have to see my doctors every day; I have the privilege of being around friends and family who don't care what I look like or what strange things I do.

I think most of you will be pleased at this. I have decided to keep blogging throughout the summer. In June, I'll tell you about the leadership conference and in July, I am going to write about Camp and how it feels to be in my TWENTIES!!

It's been a really great year. This semester has been the most challenging academically but I know I'll come out on top, it's what I do! Elmhurst College, get ready for another year of surprises, laughter and most of all, love! As for the Thompson household and Pathways therapy center, get ready for an amazing summer!

After two incredible years, I am still going strong because of the amazing people that God sends to me and plan to be for the rest of my life!

Lots of Love,

Hannah!

P.S. If you could take a quick second to do the poll, I would appreciate it. It is so I can write to my greatest audience not that all audiences are not considered while writing. Thanks!