In 2010 I graduated from high school and moved to Austin, Texas where I started College Living Experience. I didn't know what to expect when I got there, it was scary and challenging, but only because I made it that way. At the time, I thought I knew everything about life and I didn’t need to learn anything, boy was I wrong. As a result, I did not listen to others’ advice and I wasted a lot of time instead of making good use of the program and the CLE staff.
Just the good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm. Beats all you never [...]
Change is hard. Although change is one fact of life on which we can always count, that does not make the transition from the comfortable and familiar to that which is new and scary any easier. This is true for people of all different backgrounds and personalities, and can be especially true for individuals with disabilities.
Dan's parents Cliff and Michelle were concerned about their son's ability to live independently after he suffered neurological damage caused by meningitis. Now, they are thrilled to see him develop the social, academic and independent living skills necessary to attend a four-year university and live on his own.
Anna's mom Margie saw her daughter struggle in school because of cerebral palsy and a nonverbal learning disability. Recently, she has witnessed her daughter learn the skills necessary to work toward a college degree and pursue journalism.
T.K. hasn’t let the stroke he experienced as a teen deter him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a doctor.
Michelle, an academic liaison at CLE, is an advocate for her students with their colleges and universities. But her real passion is teaching her students how to advocate for themselves so they can live as independent adults.
Tom, a licensed clinical psychologist, loves working with students on a daily basis instead of only once a week. He helps students identify their fears and learn to overcome them, so they can dream big and achieve success.
Brittany has fought to accomplish her dreams – even when she developed leukemia and was diagnosed with Asperger’s. Her new-found social skills and college experience have helped make her dreams a reality.
Jolene, a social and independent living skills coordinator, does something different every day with her students. From facilitating drama exercises to teaching Party Planning 101, Jolene engages students in activities that teach them necessary skills in a fun environment.
