New Lease on Life:
Coming to IDS as a social work intern I did not know what to expect. I was a little nervous and a bit uncomfortable because I have no experience in working with individuals with disabilities. Sure, I have been around those with disabilities in high school during a brief moment in class change, but I have never had that one on one interaction. My mindset was completely limited because I had never had the opportunity nor took the opportunity to get to know this particular population. There is truly a story behind every one's personal journey and it is rewarding to get to know those different from myself. I am learning new things everyday and I am not sure that I will ever know all that there is to know but I am more open. It's amazing how you can meet a total stranger for such a short period of time and they have this life-long impact on your life. I am so much more grateful and appreciative of the life that I have been blessed with. There are so many times in which we take the smallest things for granted when there are those in tougher situations. It is a blessing as well as a lesson to see those with disabilities who are happy just the way God created them because a lot of times, those who are "NORMAL" are whining over the petty things. I have learned that although we do not and will not always understand those different from us, we should still respect and accept them just the way they are.....no questions asked!
Sophia Jordan
BSW Student Intern
