Planning for My Future

On my 16th birthday, I had a meeting at my house to talk about my future. My mom and dad helped me to make a list of all the people I know, and then I picked the people I wanted to invite to help me think about my future. I had my parents, neighbors, my boy friend, a few of my favorite teachers, and some of my parents' friends that I especially like. A lady named Marsha was in the front of the room, and Jack drew pictures on a big chart we put on the wall.

We talked about my dreams, my nightmares, the story of my life, and about who I am. This is called a MAP. The other people helped me to figure out what I wanted to say, and what we should put on the map. I got to choose. Everybody understood that these are MY dreams. My dreams are to get married and to be on the stage (like with Paul Simon or Neil Diamond).

Then we made a PATH, which is a plan for how I can make my dreams come true, and avoid my nightmares (like being lonely or having trouble with my diabetes). We pretended that we were going into a time capsule and coming out in one year. Then we said what we had done in that year to start to make my dreams come true. For getting married, we said that I would have dates, meet guys, and go to parties. I would also work in a child care center so I could be with babies. For being on stage, I would sing in the chorus at school and be in the youth choir at church. I would present at conferences with my parents, and I would do Video Karaoke with Neil Diamond.

Then we figured out what barriers we needed to get over, who we needed to help, and what our steps would be. I found out that my mom and dad are very worried about my diabetes, and getting help for my shots. I can do my blood tests and give myself shots, but somebody has to make the shots for me.

Then we had lunch and had a good time.

I really loved this meeting. It was all about me. It made me feel good. It helped me to understand about my life.

On my 21st birthday, I had another meeting. My new friends came to help me, and some old friends came too. Richard and Bill ran the meeting this time. I had the same dreams - to get married and to be on stage. Everybody is helping me to try to make my dreams come true.

That's the idea. You can ask me questions about it, or you can go to these web pages of my friends:

Inclusion Press website, which includes information on MAPS and PATH processes.

Allen, Shea, and Associates website, which includes their information on Person Centered Planning. Look under "Family Resources."