Opening Statement:
This article is a continuation of a previous article dated 1/2/2025 (“Have you thought about your goals for 2025”) to primarily focus on disabled youths.
Have you thought about what your next big step is for 2025? I’m sure all of you reading this article might be guilty of procrastinating or overthinking on how you can help “YOU” presently and in the future! If you have a disability and challenges like me, you need to not only consider the advice and recommendations from your case workers and service providers, but more importantly put those suggestions to work for you. Get started by thinking out loud in your mind and writing down a check list of the most important and sensible achievements that you want to accomplish and can successfully reach. It’s not necessary to tackle now what you are not ready for or not comfortable with. Why even think about something that is unrealistic at this time in your life? Plan what you are ready for now and turn it into a reality that you will be proud of.
Organizing a plan of action for yourself to achieve your next major steps is very important, so don’t waste time and do it.
Listed Are Some Suggestions to Think About and Help You:
· Enroll in a training program to learn a career and just not a low paying dead-end job
· Join the popular online professional network “LinkedIn” and start a profile. Don’t be afraid to note that you are “Open for Work”
· Become more outgoing and cultivate additional friendships (including outside of the disability community)
· Join local social and professional groups to gain further experience in community settings
· Try as hard as possible to attend events not just online, but in person
· Work with your case workers, support coordinators, to budget money in your yearly plans for transportation, training, social workshops, networking events to further various advancements socially and professionally
· Research to find a private car service that can accommodate your needs so that you don’t have to rely on Access Link, Ocean Ride, etc. Yes, a private car service will cost you money…but in the long run, sometimes attending that important meeting or social event out ways the cost of paying money to ensure you get there, and on time
· Obtaining a driver’s license. Don’t worry at this time if you can’t afford a car, just obtaining a license will give you extra self-esteem. Now when applying for jobs you can check off the “YES” box that you have a driver’s license when you fill out job applications. You can ask your support coordinator about the steps you need to take to get your drivers permit or you can go online and visit https://www.nj.gov/mvc/ all the information is there
· Do research on how to open a NJ ABLE account to save money. If you are unaware of this program for the disabled, please ask your support coordinator or case worker about it to see if you qualify
· Improving your life skills such as food shopping, cooking, laundry, and cleaning as independently as possible is also a huge and needed step to achieve
Closing Statement:
As a suggestion, share your planning and motivation, with those who you can trust and will limit sharing their expectations of you. Try not allowing others the opportunity to underestimate what you think you can achieve and do for “YOU”! In time, you’ll be making huge progress and feeling great about your decisions and yourself.
Source of Information: Personal Experiences, Suggestions, and Comments
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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