Drama is so unnecessary

Long story short.....my data collection is taking A LOT longer than I hoped/expected/planned. Because of that, I was going to have to postpone going to IU until next fall. But when I called and talked to my advisor there, I was informed that I would likely lose my funding FOREVER, which apparently was quite difficult to obtain!!! (They must be excited to have me there if they made it happen.) So I had an emergency meeting with my committee the other day. All I can say is Ramon and Brian came to the rescue. We were able to shuffle some things around with my study so that now I am back on track to graduate in December and head to IU. Phew!!! I was a basketcase for a few days.......on the verge of tears. And you know me....if tears are involved, it must have been crazy.

Like I said.....drama is unnecessary!

I started my TR internship this week as well. For the next 3 months, I will be working everyday at the National Ability Center in Park City. www.discovernac.org Check it out!!! The NAC is dedicated to the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities. They do this through the use of recreational activities and they were extensively involved with the Paralympic Games that were held in Salt Lake City in 2002. I'm so super excited! As of now, I will be working in every program that is offered at the NAC (cycling, archery, water skiing, equestrian programs, adventure learning programs, the climbing wall, canoeing, and swimming). The training over the next few weeks is going to be intense, as I have to re-learn how to do all of these activities with adaptive equipment. Adaptive equipment allows people with many types of disabilites to participate in any type of activity. Think hand cycles instead of mountain bikes for someone with quadriplegia, sit-skiis for snow skiing, etc... As the summer progresses, I will be spending a large portion of my time working with the ASD (Austism Spectrum Disorder) camps that are offered for young children. This is going to be a big challenge for me as I have spent the last 8 years working with kids in mental health treatment (drugs, alcohol, behavior). I have limited experience working with people with disabilities. So I guess I'm cut out for this internship. Good times!!!