We are ready!

This last week has been a whole lot of cleaning, organizing and rearranging. So much so that I drove to Michigan on Friday to do the same. To say I am nervous would be an understatement. I couldn’t get to the bottom of the fear. Why am I so nervous. I have rehearsed in my mind about 10,000 times my answers but when I think about going to New York the anxiety reached its all time high.

I have called my friends and family and asked for pointers, asked their opinions and written study guides for myself. Today it came. Today as we were driving home my son said to me, “Mom, make sure you tell them you do what you do because these kids deserve a chance.” He told me, “You know they might not know anyone with a disability and they might not know that they deserve a chance.” A wise old 12 year old hit that nail on the head. Then he went on to tell me, “Mom, I want you to know that we are proud of you. Even if things don’t go well in New York we are already proud of what you have done.” Yeah that. Oh and he reminded me that if I get nervous to just remember Gail will be watching.

That is it. That is what this is all about. I am happy to be the one that delivers this message on Tuesday but this opportunity has everything to do with all the people out there living with a disability. It is about the opportunity I wish for my daughter when she is old enough to go out in the real world. It is about jobs and independence. It is all about asking advertising to change the perceptions of the world. Asking them to communicate that my sweet 4 year old girl matters and so does everyone else who works daily to be the best they can be. We don’t start therapy 5 mins after they are born for nothing. We start that therapy so that they can have the opportunity they deserve.

So the bags are packed and we will be off in the middle of the night. Thank you to all my friends and family who have constantly stood by me. Endlessly listened to my thoughts and ideas. And thank you to all of you for believing in me. My photography and creativity is fueled by your support. I am so excited about the future for all of you and for my daughter. The view is pretty beautiful tonight.