Inclusion and more

 My name is Lindsey Eaton and I am 29 years old, in a few months almost 30. I have autism but it doesn't stop me from achieving my dreams like living independently, graduating from two college-transition programs for people with disabilities, working two part-time jobs and dating an amazing boyfriend Adam Pitts who I've been dating for nearly 7 years. My personal life mission statement is Lindsey is a driven, hard-working and kind person who is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and who enjoys building and developing relationships with people. A few years ago, I took the CliftonStrengths test which revealed my top 5 strengths are: Responsibility | Woo | Learner | Focus! When the CliftonStrengths test revealed these results, I wasn't surprised because I've always been an individual who takes great responsibility in learning new skills and building strong relationships with anyone I meet. Over the past twenty-nine years of my life, I have take...

Building a more inclusive world is defined as including those with invisible disabilities as well as disabilities that cannot be identified. Just because you see someone with in a wheelchair doesn't mean they don't want to join in on a conversation. Just because you know a person with autism doesn't mean they don't have visions for their future. I used to often doubt my future because of my autism diagnosis. I didn't think I'd live independently, go to college and much less graduate from two transition programs for people with disabilities, work not one but two jobs and have the opportunities to share my story for local organizations like Best Buddies, HOPE Group and SARRC through giving presentations and speeches. When people with disabilities are included in their respective communities which includes where they work, where they live and where they go to school, it breaks down barriers. Whenever I think back to my time at Chaparra...

 Since we're 40 days away from October and I believe in creating inclusive workplaces. I want to share my employment journey  I grew up watching many of my family members work part-time or full-time jobs to support themselves. Unfortunately, I wondered if I would ever find a job since the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 90% and I remember years ago a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor telling me I would never work competitively. I was so discouraged when I heard those words- much because I was about to secure a job before graduating from Project SEARCH at Medtronic- at the time I was going to work at CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL as a preschool aide. Not to spread negativity about VR as it is a great resource, but I have since worked several competitive integrated jobs.  My journey to find work has led me to work in various fields including food service, education and administrative work. Honestly, I am still finding my passion and field of...

 Since Disability Pride Month is almost over, I thought I'd share my journey to independence. When I was younger, I remember wondering if I'd ever live independently, go to college, secure competitive integrated employment. I remember years ago, a Vocational Rehab counselor telling me that I'd never work a competitive integrated job. I remember this because I felt discouraged and maddened by this news and phrase. I was going through the service intake process to help me secure employment once I completed the Project SEARCH program.  After high school, I knew I wanted to live independently but I experienced the fact that there is a lack of housing options for people with disabilities so I lived with my parents for a few years and started receiving habilitation services through Arion Care Solutions and had a provider work with me on independent living related goals in areas like budgeting and financial awareness, meal planning and cleaning...

Lately, one of my biggest passions has been creating strong alumni relations programs. This passion spun off of a recent visit to New Way Academy when there was a farewell assembly for our head of school and Executive Director Michael Walker and Abbey Ross to celebrate them and their accomplishments as they prepare to move on to new chapters in their professional lives. The New Way gymnasium was filled with current and former New Way students and in many cases their families. The whole gym was full- as a matter of fact- I was in awe when I walked in. New Way's Alumni Association allows former students to attend meet ups and reunite with former teachers and friends who go to school on campus.  I personally hadn't gone to an alumni event so it felt amazing to be back on New Way's new campus. I went to New Way years ago when we were on a smaller campus in Scottsdale.  For those with disabilities, graduation marks a big accomplishm...

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” –  John C. Maxwell. As a person living with autism (which doesn't define me and stop me from achieving my dreams), I can say many of my passions are speaking and giving presentations about my journey with autism, interacting with kids and making the world a more inclusive place for people with disabilities.  My passion for public speaking officially begun when I was in high school and one of my teachers encouraged me to try out public speaking. I remember thinking "Oh my gosh! I don't want want to do this. Why am I doing this?" What I didn't know of was that God had me revealed His plan for me to share my story during a school-wide assembly of over 3,000 people including Chaparral's administration team and Study Body officers. I had friends and family in attendance, which made me feel calmer. It was then that I figured out one of my passions was ...

Many people with disabilities don't get to experience the joy of walking across the stage in a college graduation. They watch their siblings, friends and cousins graduate from college and realize it will not be a reality and that quickly becomes devastating as they long to put on a cap and gown.  For me, I grew up watching my sisters Molly and Kate head off to college at their respective colleges at the time- The University of San Diego and Texas Christian University and I honestly started to wonder whether or not I would get to go to college and experience school without the stress of a degree. I quickly started go give up on my plan to go to school. I thought my graduation from Chaparral High School would be the only graduation I would get to experience in proper regalia- cap and gown.  A few short years ago, I attended the First Place Transition Academy operated by SARRC and got to experience classes at GateWay...

  Since Autism Awarenesss Day is right around the corner, I thought I'd share my journey with everyone. Let me preface by sharing the following quote by Stephen Shore: "If you know one person with autism, you only know one person with autism."  This quote symbolizes that autism is a spectrum of different abilities. One person might be able to express themselves effectively while another person with autism might be help communicating his or her needs with a device. My name is Lindsey Eaton and I am 29 years old! I have autism but it doesn't stop define me. I live independently, attend LOPES Academy at Grand Canyon University and I am preparing for graduation in April and I work at Christ Lutheran School.  I have an amazing family who loves me and an amazing boyfriend.  I was officially diagnosed with autism when I was ten years old, but before I knew the diagn...