I was about 22 years old, and about a year away from graduating from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs) with a degree in Journalism. One problem, though - I didn't like writing anymore. And I didn't like reporting. So I had a problem. I asked myself "what do I really want to do? what do I care about?"

I remembered back to my senior year of high school at North Springs in Atlanta, GA. The school had a partnership with Woodland Elementary to allow seniors to work in their self contained classroom with kids with Autism. I thought it would be more interesting than sitting in class, and maybe an Easy A. So I jumped at the opportunity. 

I didn't know it then, but it would change my life. I met Grant, who added "ity" to everyone's name. So I was Renity. I met Nicole, who loved to talk to me about Pippi Longstocking. She would constantly say "Rena, Pippi." And I met Kelly, a gorgeous little girl with beautiful blue eyes.  

I went to class one day, and Kelly had dark circles under her eyes. Her face was all scratched up. She looked troubled. I asked what happened to her face. It turns out she had to spend time in the "time out room", a room off the classroom with padded walls. It was in the "time out room" that she scratched her face. I wanted to know what would cause a child so beautiful to do that to herself. So began my life's work. 

I switched to studying psychology and moved out to Oregon with some friends. I finished my degree at Oregon State. A friend of mine told me they were hiring at his job, for a House Manager. He explained that the job was to manage a house and provide direct support for three young women with Autism. They had moved into the community a few years before from Fairview Training Center in Salem, Oregon. 

So I met Lisa, Sue and Anna Jo, and their houseful of staff. This kickstarted my now 24-year career working with adults with Autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. I've been a DSP, a House Manager, a Behavior Specialist, a Program Manager, and now the lucky leader. I worked in and ran group homes for 20 years. I thought it was possible that a group home could really be a person's home. I was wrong. 

I've learned that as long as a home is owned by the service provider, it can never be the person's true home. I've learned that its not just about teaching a person with a disability how to be included in the community, its about teaching the community to include the person. I've learned that behavior is communication. I've learned that curious but inexperienced support staff can change a person's world for the better. I've learned that everyone can work, and its not just about the job - its about the relationships. 

Everyone knows that a person with a disability living in their own home rather than a group home is the ideal. Everyone knows that a person with a disability having a job rather than going to a day program is ideal. Georgia Options is the only organization in Georgia that ONLY supports people this way - regardless of their level of disability. We believe, from top to bottom, that people with disabilities have the right to lead a typical life, just like you and me. 

Leading Georgia Options is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Please join me in supporting the organization that walks the walk, and believes in equity and justice for people with disabilities.  Together we can pave the way.