Laurie is our guest blogger this month. She works as a manager
with North Star Services in California. She supports Pam and
her staff. Laurie shares the story below of how they listened to
Pam and helped her achieve a dream and be more connected to her
community....
Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to be an
entertainer! Whether it was signing to "You Light Up My Life" on
any stage that would have her, or doing it for family, friends or
support staff, yes entertaining is her passion!
Pam receives 24 hour a day
supportive living services. When out in the community, Pam has no
fear of strangers and if she thinks she knows you she will go with
you without fearing for her safety. 24 hour a day staffing a must
we once thought!
When I met Pam 9 months ago, I noticed that she carried 2 red
pom-poms with her everywhere she went. When Pam would meet
someone for the first time she would get those pom-poms out and
show off her stuff. I thought to myself … a Cheerleader!
Yeah, A Cheerleader! Why not! Why can't Pam be a cheerleader!
Being involved as a volunteer cheer coach I thought, can we
support Pam in making a connection in her community doing what she
loves? Entertaining! Cheerleading! Wow! I asked Pam if
she would like to cheer on a cheer team. Pam answered,
"That's right." I got excited!
When cheerleading was presented to the team some said, "Pam
has "sun downers" and will not go out at night" (practice is every
Wednesday night from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm). Others said, "If it's at
night she won't go out." And a few said, "Let's try it!"
So that is what we did.
Pam attended a trial class three months ago and has not missed a
class since she decided to join All Star Elite "Heart
Droppers!" She has made many new friends and has attended
other events with her new friends from her team. To watch Pam
interact with her teammates will bring tears to your eyes. The
care Pam shows to her team, the love in her eyes and the smile on
her face says it all. She has found a connection where she is able
to entertain, be the star that she wants to be! Each Wednesday
night Pam puts on her cheer shirt, packs up her Debbie Boone CD and
her 2 red pom-poms and excitedly heads to her cheer practice.
Today, Pam's cheer coach has asked support staff to drop her off
and leave. Staff came to her last Focus Meeting and asked,
"Can we do that? Leave Pam at cheer practice without support and
come back?" That question was answered with another question -
"Why not?"
Her support staff now take her to cheer practice, drops her off
for that hour and a half, and then come back. Something nobody on
her team thought they would be doing just three short months
ago.
