Jess

Hometown:

Northbrook

Last seen:

Advocating in Springfield

My likes:

I want to go to a 4-year university and be a social worker or a human service person helping those who struggle with their disability because I have struggled with mine throughout the years and having people supporting me is what helped me. I also hope to open my own dance studio to help others express themselves.

My story:

I am a student at our local community college, where I am taking 3 courses per semester. I work at Walgreens once a week as a greeter. I have one brother Brian and a wonderful mother and father. I love my family, they are very supportive of me and they stand by me in good times and bad. I live in my own apartment with a roommate, and I have a personal assistant who helps me with my daily needs. I use my wheelchair like you use your feet-to get around. My wheelchair helps me but it doesn’t define me. My computer is my window to the world: I have my own blog, where I write about my personal experiences in life, called “Jessi’s Purple Pad.” I thought of the name because I’ve always wanted a purple room. Check out my blog.

LifeMyWay means:

Freedom! I want people to respect me as a human being, look past my wheelchair and see what I have to offer. I am standing up for what I believe in because if you are silent, you don’t get what you want in life. If you speak up, you can change the world and change your life.

My dreams:

Writing on my blog, Non-ambulatory yoga, wheelchair dancing, expressing how I feel, sticking up for others, the Twilight books, encouraging people, hanging out with my friends, going to school, living in my own apartment, swimming with dolphins, taking vacations with my family, watching chick flicks like 13 going on 30, Dirty Dancing, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 50 First Dates.

My video:

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