Profile of Success - Sarah Lever
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Sarah and her grandmother, Marie Teague.
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My name is Sarah Lever. I am twenty-nine years old and live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I have been studying Internet Technologies at Central Piedmont Community College. I have a strong interest in technology, especially assistive technology for people with special needs.
I have a big, close family, even though several of us live hours away from each other. We love getting together for birthdays, holidays, graduations and other special events. Grandparents, mothers, sister, brothers, nieces, nephews, and extended family members have a big meal. It is fun seeing everyone.
My down time consists of writing, listening to music, being with my nephew and nieces, and enjoying the outside; but I don't get much down time between helping my grandmother and starting a business creating Internet sites.
I am a hard worker. I like everything to be right. If I am doing something I might work into the night. I don't know if that is a strength or weakness, because I don't relax a lot. It might be one of my strengths because it shows people that I keep my word.
The biggest challenge I had in my life was finishing high school and earning a diploma, because the school's staff wasn't preparing me to finish with a diploma. I had to pass an exam before graduating. But, it all worked out because I had an excellent teacher who saw that light in me. She pushed me to work hard. So, in three months I was taught six years of school, even though my health wasn't in the greatest state. I passed the state's exam under that teacher
I am opening a new chapter of my life and that is scary, also exciting. All of my life has been going to school or being in therapy. Now, I am getting involved in the organizations that interest me. Also, it is allowing me to be with my grandmother when she needs more help. My grandmother means everything to me.
When I was younger, my equipment was purchased by The Children's Services of North Carolina (wheelchairs, Touch Talker, and Liberator). Now, any equipment I get is purchased by CAP (Medicaid). My best advocate at this time is Gena Chambers from CAP (Medicaid) in Charlotte. She has assisted me in getting the equipment and services I need to keep me living at home so I can have a more independent life. Gena and I have developed a good friendship. Without CAP I don't know what would become of me.
I would like to do something with augmentative communication because I love getting the word out to people who are non-verbal that they can have a way to communicate. I have seen many people who are non-verbal without AAC. Also, I have experienced not having a device to communicate to others.
I don't know how I measure my success because I do so many different things. When I finish a course in school I feel extremely successful. When I can give some hope to a parent of an augmentative communication user I feel good. Hope can keep a person trying, even when things are moving slowly such as getting funding for a device or finding a speech therapist who is skilled in teaching AAC.
Being a hard worker is how I get things done. I work extremely hard on my augmentative communication needs and school. I am very successful, most of the time, at both of these.
I want to say thank you to the Prentke Romich Company for making the Pathfinder and all the equipment I have gotten from them. The Pathfinder has changed my life for the better.
Sarah Lever