I had the honor and privilege of speaking at the annual
Easter Seals gala. It was magnificent! They made me feel like a princess! Here
is the speech I gave:
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! Isn’t this just amazing?
It is celebrating the incredible power and determination of the human spirit
and also the will of God. We are here to celebrate the miracles that happen at
Easter Seals. Now, the miracles I am talking about are not miracles like Moses
parting the Sea. No, I am talking about when a child gains enough balance to
sit by themselves, when your child eats a cookie independently, or when your
child says his or her first word. Those are our miracles.
The location of Easter Seals was miraculous for me. In 2008, I entered my freshmen year of
college. Low and behold, Easter Seals was fifteen minutes away. I immediately
felt better in my choice to attend Elmhurst College. I have Cerebral Palsy and
three different movement disorders. These disabilities are obstacles that affect
me on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Needless to say, because of
this I have been in therapy all my life. This fact did not change when I went
away to college. I very much needed a place where I could exercise, and people
could make sure my body was able to serve me through the challenges of living
independently. I got so much more than that.
I felt even better going to Easter Seals when Mrs. Joanne
Pygon walked into my life. For those of you who do not know this wonderful
woman, Joanne is incredible. She is nurturing, smart, encouraging, and
honestly, if I resemble Joanne when I am her age I will know that I am
following in the right footsteps. Then in my sophomore year of college, I met
Mrs. Celine Skertich. This woman really
impressed me. She understood what I needed right away and, she also became a
friend and confidant quite quickly. We just had that instant connection that
few are lucky to experience, and Joanne and I became extremely close too. When
I look back on my collegiate years, I will regard these two women as therapists
who turned into aunts. They have pushed me when needed, and comforted me when I
needed it the most. Overall, Easter Seals has served as a respite from the
demands of college life. This is highlighted when my DynaVox breaks or there is
something not quite right with my wheelchair. They understand that my life
cannot stop because of my equipment.
However, I find that the most impressive thing about Easter
Seals is that we are not just an organization nor community, we are truly a family.
I see that when I walk in and see those blessed pictures on the walls, or when
one of our family members is grieving and we support them. I see it when Jim
teases me about going to his rival high school. I see it when a baby is born
and we all cannot wait to see that baby. Of course, that baby will receive only
gross motor skill toys from us. I see our family right now, in all its glory.
To me, tonight is a celebration of family. I want to thank each and every one
of you for supporting my decision to attend college independently. It’s
difficult some days, and Easter Seals makes it that much easier. I have made
the decision to get an apartment in Elmhurst while I pursue researching graduate
schools and, my motivational speaking career. I would be lying if I said Easter
Seals was not a reason I am staying. I’m not quite ready to leave the arms of
Joanne and Celine and frankly, I’m not sure if they’re ready to take their
hands off me just yet. I want to thank Easter Seals for always being there for
me, you really have made a difference in my life and I hope that I can give back
and I can see even more miracles happen because of Easter Seals!
I interviewed at Easter Seals after I gave my speech. I am
proud to say that I did get the Public Relations internship! Yes!! I will be
starting in July. That will take me on so many adventures!
Most readers know that the next post will be my last for Hannah’s
College Adventures. It will probably be very simple focusing on my feelings,
the gratitude I have, and obviously, a tremendous thank you to my readers. You
are why I blog. I can’t believe how far this blog and I have come and it is all
thanks to you.
Love,
Hannah!
