Inclusion and more

I know it's not 2019 yet but here is a countdown of my favorite memories from 2018 1. Graduating from the First Place Transition Academy, operated by SARRC Last May, I graduated from the First Place Transition Academy, operated by SARRC, at Grand Canyon University.  One unforgettable moment of graduation was looking around the GCU arena and seeing my team at ASBA waving at me. My roommate at the time Joanna noticed me waving at someone and she asked me who it was and I said it was my supervisor Kristi. GCU happens to be one of the sponsors of ASBA's Annual Conference. 2.  2018 Best Buddies Leadership Conference The 2018 Best Buddies Leadership Conference was one for the books. It was filled with memorable keynote speakers including Jimmy Page and Jennifer Powers who both spoke about the power of positivity.  My favorite part was seeing the Jobs Employee of the Year get recognition. The winner was David Asbury II from New York. I met ...

In July 2016, I started dating my boyfriend, best friend. and better half Adam Pitts. We went on our first date at Ramano's Macaroni Grill and talked about life, our jobs and hopes for the future. We also shared our first kiss. I asked him the magic question "Would you be my boyfriend?" and he accepted with a yes. Adam and I quickly discovered we have multiple similar interests including a love for football, God, kids, Best Buddies and SARRC. Adam had participated in the SARRC Employment Services program and gotten his job at PetSmart through the program. He and I have been helped by some of the same SARRC staff like Mary DeCarlo.  With our love for football, we watch the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and many other teams.  In a few weeks are going to see the AZ Cardinals play the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. We're going to this game with friends from church. Regardless of who wins, we will be with each ot...

On Thursday I celebrate my one year work anniversary at the AZ School Boards Association. I first found out about opening when my job coach Erin told me that ASBA wanted to partner with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center's Employment program. Before I researched the company, I was nervous to send my resume.  Once I did some research I sent my resume.  While I got the job and never imagined my life would change as much as it has.  Kristi, Ellen and I after a bosses day surprise I planned for them I started on November 8, 2017 and instantly felt welcomed by the team.  My supervisor Kristi immediately took me under her wing and introduced me to the team and showed me pictures of her family in her office. Shortly after I started, my co-worker Katie and I went to lunch at Cafe Zupas and talked about pets, life, our past jobs and families on the way. A little bit after I went to lunch with Katie, I started talking to Kristi. We started talking abou...

Yes I know 85% of my blogs are about autism and employment but here are some myths and facts surrounding autism and employment  Fact: We are the first ones to come and last one to leave Answer: This is a fact. I get to work by 9:20am. I started to try to be late like 9:35 once or twice but it was tough to have to call in late rather than be earlier. I don't leave until 1:30.  Myth: People with autism are not empathetic  Answer: This is a myth as people with autism are empathetic. A few short months ago, my mentor and supervisor Kristi lost her brother in law Robert and I felt for her right away even though I had not lost any family recently. I started to make a point to check in with Kristi shortly after it happened. She opened up to me about how she is doing as a result of these check-ins. The bottom line is. that people with autism are empathetic just like any other employee.   Fact and myth: Employees with...

The 2018 Walk now for Autism Speaks in partnership with SARRC is this weekend at Tempe Beach Park. Read my journey with SARRC and learn why you should walk  My name is Lindsey Eaton and I am 24 years old. I have autism but it means I am diagnosed as awesome. When I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with autism.  I had a hard time talking to my peers, dealing with change and not seeing things as black and white.  I officially heard about the Southeast Autism Research and Resource Center or SARRC for short through Denise Resnik and got invited in classes like Ready, Aim, Get Hired about employment readiness skills. I got involved in Autism CommunityWorks too and met many amazing staff members as well.  Dr. Paige Raetz and Lindsey Eaton I am a 2017 graduate of the First Place Transition Academy, a two year program operated by SARRC. Through the Transition Academy, I learned how to cook my meals, budget my money, take Uber and the light rail and...

In July, I moved into my apartment at First Place-Phoenix, started by the amazing Denise Resnik.  Denise's son Matt and I went to high school together at Chaparral High School. Denise also started the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center that I have been part of for many years. Denise is truly an inspiration to many people including myself. Lindsey Eaton speaks during the First Place-Phoenix grand opening ceremony Let's back to a few summers ago. I started corresponding with the amazing Sara Hetrick about how I could get involved in First Place. Sara and I met about how we could establish a group of committed residents who would help plan events, train new staff and make First Place-Phoenix residents and Support Specialists as well as Transition Academy staff and students.  We established what is now called the Council of Resident Engagement. CORE now is 5 members strong and led by the amazing Nina Bernado. Over the summer, we gathered to train new staff...

The 2018 Walk now for Autism Speaks in partnership with SARRC will be held on October 28, 2018 at Tempe Beach Park. Ever wonder why you should walk? Only 14% of adults with autism have a job. That is a staggering statistic. SARRC aims to change that through having over 20 employment partners who hire an adult with autism. Companies like Petsmart, Harkins Theaters, Microsoft, Sprouts, AMC and Safeway all hire SARRC clients. I am pleased to announce my employer the AZ School Boards Association will be at the walk.  ASBA has literally embraced their partnership with SARRC. A few months ago, my supervisors Kristi and Ellen attended the 2018 SARRC Community Breakfast.  Now they will be doing the walk. Also, they have fully embraced having me on staff. They go above and beyond making sure I am included in company events. Kristi and Ellen also check in to see how I am doing with tasks and if I need help. I am doing so well and being completely independent on ...

My name is Lindsey Eaton and I have autism. I was diagnosed with autism when I was 15. I noticed when I was younger. I was having a hard time talking with my peers, dealing with change and being flexible.  Autism makes me driven to pursue my dreams and passions. One of the biggest things that animates my life is technology. I have a hidden ability to fix Apple and Windows computers, install new printer ink cartridges and troubleshoot general technology errors. There is nothing like the joy of fixing a technology error. I know how to setup a new iPad without having Apple help me.  Another one of my dreams was to live independently. I am doing that now. I graduated from the First Place Transition Academy, operated by SARRC. Through the Transition Academy, I learned how to budget my own money, cook my own meals, interview for jobs and take Uber to work. I graduated from the Transition Academy in May 2018. Now I live at First Place-Phoenix and I love it. As a First ...

My name is Lindsey Eaton. I have two jobs. One at the AZ School Boards Association and one at Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt. I have worked as a receptionist at the AZ School Boards Association.  I answer the phones, greet guests, organize the supply closet and restock the copiers with paper.  I take my job seriously. I get to work around 9:20 so I can be early. I spend this time before my shift starts at 9:30am checking in with my co-workers and supervisors.  One thing I was taught through SARRC Employment workshops was to be early rather than to be late. After 9:30 hits, I work hard. Ellen White, Lindsey Eaton and Kristi Sisk I started out with continuous job coaching- something I needed as new tasks were introduced or new work related feedback was given. Since I graduated from the First Place Transition Academy, I gave grown to be more independent.  My supervisors Kristi and Ellen have quickly seen how much I have grown. They gave me this mailing project fo...

Imagine yourself without a friend. Without a job. Without chances to become a leader.  For many people with disabilities this is the case. They don't know where to turn. That's where you enter a program called Best Buddies. Best Buddies was started in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, to unleash a global volunteer movement of one-on-one friendships, leadership development and integrated employment for people with special abilities and those that know them. My name is Lindsey Eaton and I am running for Champion of the Year for Best Buddies Arizona, an eight week "fun" fundraising competition for 8 champions. My mission partner is Maddi Thrall. Maddi and I met during the 2018 Best Buddies Leadership Conference. At LC, Maddi challenged me to try my best. She challenged me to write a new speech and to try the regular security lane at Indianapolis International Airport the day we were leaving.  BBAZ at LC 2018 I have been part of Best Buddies since my freshmen year...

It's a new school year, and there are many school campus clubs to check out. One cool clubs is called Best Buddies. Best Buddies was started in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, leadership development and integrated employment for people with disabilities.  In Arizona Best Buddies has over 50 school chapters in colleges, middle schools and high schools. Most school districts in Arizona offer Best Buddies- Higley Unified, Tempe Union High School District, Gilbert Public Schools and Paradise Valley Unified School District- offer schools with Best Buddies on campus. Best Buddies bowling un Austin Rector and Drew Dysko (Hamilton HS), Rick Sughroue, Kelsey Snyder and Casey (Deer Valley High) and  Melissa Schodt and  her buddy.  Here are 4 reasons why you should check out Best Buddies! Reason 1: You make new friends  Best Buddies helps friends make friends. Buddy pairs- one buddy (a per...

I know I have shared my employment journey a lot but I want to create jobs for EVERYONE.   I have an amazing job at the AZ School Boards Association. The leader of the team is Dr. Tim Ogle, the husband of Denise Resnik's cousin. I learned of this when I had my interview.  Dr. Ogle came in to my interview to offer me the position and I accepted it.   In November 2017, the team agreed to bring me on board as an employee. The day I started we celebrated my supervisor Ellen's birthday.  We celebrated Ellen and ate brownies.  Fast forward to August 2018, I have almost been employed by ASBA for a year.  I started out making copies, shredding papers, organizing the supply closet. I now answer the phones, greet guests, gather signatures for birthday cards for my co-workers and make coffee. With every answer of the phone, I get more confident.  My enunciation is more clear and my professionalism skills have grown. ...

Who would not want a mentor at work? Mentor is defined as an experienced and trusted adviser. As you know I know at the AZ School Boards Association and I have amazing co-workers. When I first started, I met my team. They had a welcome meeting for me on their outside patio. That day I met someone who would change my life.  This person helped me break the ice with the rest of the team after I talked to her. I would like to tell you the story of how I met my mentor Kristi.  When I started at ASBA, Kristi had me come into her office to show me pictures of her family.  Following that I knew I wanted to get to know her more. It took a few months for us to break through the ice and talk.  She kept trying to talk but because I had just started a new job I was quiet beyond words.  But then finally ONE DAY we broke through. We started talking about life, work and our families.  Within time I knew the stor...

I am only in my 3rd week of living at First Place-Phoenix, an apartment complex for people with autism and other special needs and I love it.  First Place-Phoenix makes independent living possible for 17 Transition Academy students and 9 residents.  Residents and Transition students alike live in apartments, both are overseen by staff. The Transition Academy is overseen by SARRC staff while the  First Place apartments on floors 2, 3 and 4 and are overseen by First Place-Phoenix support staff.  As a transition academy graduate, I lived independently before. I did my own laundry, washed my own dishes an completed transportation probes for Uber/Lyft and the light rail.  Now I take the light rail to work to and I Uber home from work to save money.  My goal is to save money and be able to put it towards rent. With my Valley Metro platinum pass I can ride the bus and ligh...

My name is Lindsey Eaton.  I am a member of the First Place-Phoenix Council of Resident Engagement.  CORE helps make First Place-Phoenix an amazing place for residents to live at start to work at by promoting acceptance and inclusion.  I am preparing to move into First Place. There are many emotions. I am excited for what's to come as a resident- I will continue to improve on the skills I learned from the Transition Academy like staying on budget, cooking my own meals,  doing my own laundry and taking public transportation. I will keep my apartment clean.  I will work at the AZ School Boards Association. I shred papers, answer the phones, greet guests and assemble handbooks.  In my downtime, I will spend time with my boyfriend, go to events in Downtown Phoenix, assist with community life tasks and hang out with friends.  I will tour my family and friends around First Place. My supervisors Ellen and Kristi and co-worker Katie are going to come and vis...

My name is Lindsey and I have autism. I am diagnosed as AWESOME.   When I was 15 years old year, I was officially diagnosed with autism. I had a hard time talking to my friends, dealing with sudden change and not seeing things as black and white. The things came easier to my peers came hard for me because of my new diagnosis. Autism gives me many extraordinary gifts like the abilities to fix computers,  have photographic memory of trips I have taken in the past and speaking in front of large groups. Most people cannot stand speaking in front of large groups but I LOVE IT! I have spoken in front of large groups ranging from 100 to 4,000 about topics ranging from integrated employment to my Best Buddies story.  Several years ago, I became a Best Buddies Ambassador, a position that helped me come to LOVE public speaking. When I first started speaking, I was nervous beyond words. I would look at my speeches and not even attempt to memorize them.  Now I...