History
I was born in late November to my parents. For the first three years, I had a normal life and upbringing in a Christian, small town home. Life changed in February, 1985, when my family was in a car accident. It left me a C2/3 vent dependent quadriplegic. Life since then has been different than many have experienced, but I was blessed with parents who knew God still had a plan for our lives and worked to fulfill that plan to the best of our abilities.
Education
Despite doctor's warnings, I attended normal classes with the other students of my age. I went from Kindergarten through 8th grade at Pella Christian Grade School. After that, high school was completed at Pella Christian High School with graduation in 2000,with some of the same classmates I had since beginning. Throughout school, I never had any serious illness and, despite trouble with pressure sores, I was able to keep up with my class and do well in school.
After high school, I attended AIB College of Business in Des Moines and lived on campus. After a little over two years, I graduated with my Associate of Business degree in IT. After two years of working, I started back to school part-time at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish at Simpson due to trouble with pressure sores. For now, I'm taking a break from school, but hope to be back somewhere soon. I hope to be able to obtain my Master's degree at some point, but continue to work on current education, both at school and on my own schedule in other subjects.
Housing
As most children, I grew up living with my parents until I graduated from high school. While attending AIB, I was able to live on campus during the week and experience being independent of my parents' home. This continued for about a year after graduation in my own apartment in Des Moines while looking for work. Since then, I have moved back to my parents' home and have been renting with them. I greatly hope to be able to live independently and free of a care facility again, but will not be able to with current funding for nurses and required care.
Friends and Relationships
Throughout school and afterwards, I have maintained a small group of friends. Some have moved on that we maintain some contact, while others remain close and in regular contact. In high school, I was friends with a group of five girls. I remain in contact with a few, but I have not had opportunity to date much beyond this group. As time passes, I hope to find someone special and marry, but that has not been an opportunity I have been given at this time.