dignity: creative expressions from the inspiration project

SpringDIGNITY: 2015, Volume 1 5

about:

The Inspiration Project is a volunteer collaboration between the University of Rochester and CP Rochester, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with special needs. During the spring of 2015, a group of writing students from the University of Rochester met weekly with writers from CP Rochester. Through extensive one-on-one conversations, the UR students and CP Rochester adults have produced the creative works assembled here. acknowledgments:

This project was made possible by the hard work and generous support of many people:

The consumers and staff at CP Rochester, the students at the University of Rochester, Joanna Scott (Professor of English, University of Rochester), Jenny Boyar (Department of English, University of Rochester), Zarah Quinn, Glenn Cerosaletti (Director, Rochester Center for Community Leadership, University of Rochester), Deborah Rossen-Knill (Director, Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program, University of Rochester), Debra Haring (Assistant Dean for Grants and Contracts, University of Rochester), Richard Feldman (Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering at the University of Rochester), Rosemary Kegl (Chair, Department of English, University of Rochester), Jasmine Cen, Hanqi Jiang.

DIGNITY: 2 table of contents:

Dear Mr. President: A Collage — Thuan Nguyen 5 My Magical Trip to Disney — Tori Bement 9 Frustration with a Capital F — Ann Kurz 12 Gary — Ruthie Emens 15 Greg’s Life Story — Greg Junious 17 Kitt — Jeff Yarmel 19 The Mendon House — Patrick Hurley 21 Dream Journal, Real Journal — Toni Montgomery 24 Comeback — Chris Thornton 27 Kwanis: This is My Story — Geraldine Copeland 30 Snowy’s Adventure — Latrice Person 32

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preface:

Five years ago, on a frigid January evening, students held open the doors at the back of Rush Rhees Library, and in came an intrepid group of adults from CP Rochester, ready for the first session of The Inspiration Project. The project participants gathered in a room in the university’s IT Center. No one was quite sure what to expect, but we were all there for the same reason: to write. We have been writing together ever since. We’ve created stories and memoirs. We’ve written poems and plays and letters, filling five anthologies. Through a collaborative process of interviewing and editing, ideas take shape as polished writing. We strive to fill pages with work that deserves to be read. We are a noisy bunch. If you happen to wander into the rooms at the IT Center on a Thursday night during the spring semester, you will hear a dozen animated conversations going on simultaneously. You will hear the rattling sounds of fingers moving with rapid-fire dexterity over keyboards. You will hear voices expressing wonder, confusion, disbelief, awe, and understanding. You will definitely hear laughter. At the beginning of our most recent semester, Latrice Person, one of the founders of The Inspiration Project, pointed out that programs tend to be easier to start than to sustain. She was proud, she said, that The Inspiration Project keeps going and going. We have only grown stronger. This year’s group is larger than ever. We are getting louder and more proficient. In this new anthology, you’ll see that our writers have pushed themselves and tried out new subjects and forms. It’s our fifth-year anniversary, and we are only just beginning.

Joanna Scott University of Rochester April 25, 2015

DIGNITY: 4

Dear Mr. President: A Collage

by Thuan Nguyen In Collaboration with Sophie Hatch

February-April, 2015

Dear Mr. President,

When I was born, I couldn’t walk. My mother, my father, and my sisters took care of me. My father was a captain in the navy for the United States. He was sent all over the world. During the Vietnam War, he told my mother he would try to bring us all to the United States, but after the war he couldn’t. My mother had to sell everything to take care of me and my two sisters. I eventually came to the United States, to follow them and to be with them all.

***

When I was little and the water came from the sky I went outside and played with my friends. We would play with the water; we’d scoop it up and splash each other.

***

Feeling Good (A Song)

You look like the sunshine. When I met you, you made me happy. I looked in your eyes and saw a twinkling of a star. You make me feel good.

When you need me, girl, Pick up the phone and I’ll come for you. I’ll take you home with me and you’ll be my girl, when I come to you.

I saw you from the inside and I want to be with you.

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Dear Mr. President,

I was in California from 1990 to 2009. The U.S. government sent me there from the Philippines, because my sister, who’s one year older than me, was there, where she had a job making shirts. I came on an airplane; my sister helped me with my paperwork. We lived in a house with my mother, my sister’s husband, and my niece. In 1998, I applied for U.S. citizenship; at work they had me study for the test, and when I was called for it, I passed. On April 12th, 2000, I became a citizen; at the ceremony I recited the pledge of allegiance with 3,000 other people. In 1995, I went to school at the community college to learn English as a second language, because I only spoke a little bit.

***

Trinity I

The Father taught us how to love someone, the Father taught us how to pray and worship. No one but the Father heals us; when we are sick and in trouble, the Father saves us. The Father says, “Love one another like I am loved myself.” When the time comes, the angels will fight with the Devil to save the world. The Father gave us the power to fight the Devil every day and every night. ***

Dear Mr. President,

Lots of families work hard to take care of their kids, no matter how they’re born; but sometimes people need help. Babies born like me should have help no matter how much their families make. Lots of people need help, in lots of different ways. I’m writing to you because I have some suggestions for helping others. The Bible tells us to love each other as we love ourselves. I go to a self-advocacy meeting every month, but I know a lot of people can’t. I would like to be a voice for people who don’t have a voice.

***

Winter Days

Every morning when I wake up, I see the snow fall from the sky. The snow is white. The ground is shining with ice. I’m happy to go outside. The van is waiting for me to get in, to drive through the snow and take me to work.

DIGNITY: 6

At Work

I have meetings at work; we often talk about the new times go with another person to check the fire extin- hires. When the new hires arrive, my boss tells them guishers for safety. I also work with other people to to come to me. I ask them the interview questions. I pick up supplies, like tissues, cups, paper towels, ask questions like, “Are you comfortable with the forks and spoons, cleaning supplies, and gloves. job?” “Where were you previously employed?” or Sometimes I work in the office; I make copies (as “How do you react to a stressful day?” What we’re many as 400!), I put out flyers for meetings, and I really asking is, “How do you react when you get collect mail, sort it, and put it in the mailboxes. I also angry?” After I do an interview, I have to do paper- sometimes clean the counters and table. work; if they didn’t answer well, I have to write it At work, we sometimes make cards for our down. Sometimes they ask me what I do, and that’s troops. Every summer we have an art sale to make a good sign, because they’re communicating. I look money. I decorate candleholders to sell. at their insides, not their outsides. If it’s a good inter- I started performing in plays in 1991. In 2012, I view and they do well, I tell my boss to hire them. was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Sometimes at work they send me to pick up Dreamcoat. In 2014 I was in Seussical. I was a Who. something to sell. We go to Marketplace Mall to pick In 2012, 2013, and 2014 I performed in concerts dur- up toys, then we bring them back to work. I take the ing the summer. toys out of the box, and put them in the office. Other people from work sell them. At work I also some-

Trinity Winter Days II II In December I see the snow outside and all of the I heard a voice in the sky, in the clouds beautiful Christmas lights. I heard the Father call me to do something People come far and wide to be around the He called me to help someone who was sick Christmas tree. He called me to help someone who was in trouble Santa Claus comes down the chimney to bring with the power of the Holy Spirit. presents to everyone.

The Father told me to love someone who hates me I look in the window and see the crackling fire in The Father told me how to talk to those who hate the fireplace. me The stockings all hang in a row. I go into the house; in the firelight I warm up. The Father helped me when I was sick I go back outside to see the stars. Three times he brought me back from the dead The Father gives my eyes the power to see, People sing carols by the fire; my mouth the power to talk, “Little Town of Bethlehem” is my favorite song my ears the power to hear, because they talk about my Father, my hands the power to work. Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem. When He was born, people saw a new star. When I listen to carols I feel happiness, peace, and

DIGNITY: 7

Dear Mr. President, 4. Help reduce student loans to 8. Help to provide safe places to reduce the debt students carry when live for the homeless. Here are my suggestions: they have finished classes. 9. Help people find work. 1. Create more college and day 5. Open more group homes and 10. Help stop violence between programs for people with special better support group homes people, because we all need peace. needs (and people without), so that everywhere that already exist; this they can all get the tools they need means making sure they have I think these things are very to learn and to work better. money to provide day programs important, because everyone 2. Open more programs to increase (like the one I work through) and to deserves a better life. the number of physical therapists, give people opportunities to get out It’s important that everyone doctors, nurses, and others who to work and to do activities. work together to keep the United work with people with special 6. Open more nursing homes and States moving forward, but some needs—or anyone who needs help. better support those that already people need a little more help so 3. Help create more access for exist. that they can do their part. everyone, with new or improved 7. Help to provide new wheelchairs ramps, doors, etc., so that everyone and communication devices to those who need them, and make can move around their communities. replacing them easier and faster.

Trinity Dear Mr. President, III I invite you to come see me and what I do in

I pray You, Father— Rochester, New York. Here you will see that I, too, give me the wisdom, am trying to help in my own way. give me the power

to help those in trouble. Please keep the United States safe.

Hear me, Virgin Mary— Thank you for listening. pray for me, and pray for the world to be saved, for us to go to the Father forever.

Please, Father, open my heart, open my mind, open my eyes, open my hands, open my ears so that I may know what is wrong and right.

DIGNITY: 8

My Magical Trip to Disney

By Tori Bement In Collaboration with Sally Patel y mom and I went to go see one. It is so rare that they call it an played all of the old cartoons that M A Dolphin Tale 2 in the “orphan disease.” I was not I remember from when I was movie theater. A commercial supposed to live past my teens. I younger. Next, when we were all came on for Disney theme parks. I am twenty-eight years old and still warm, we went back to Epcot and was sitting forward in my chair as going strong. Though many spent the rest of the day there. Lumiere described the parks and people may think otherwise, I am First, we went on the ride, said, “Be our guest!” in front of a fully functioning adult. Spaceship Earth. They took us on Cinderella’s castle. When I saw It was very cold on the a ride through history in the big this commercial, I felt really morning of the 5k but it was very ball of Epcot. It was really happy because I have loved fun to meet new people who also interesting to learn about it. At the Disney ever since I was a little have AT. They have gone through end, they gave us a little treat girl. Next, my mom looked over at what I have. On the 5K course, which simulated our life. They me and said, “We’re going!” I we bumped into Kelly, the took a picture of our faces and looked at her in disbelief, I daughter of our house’s nurse. She used it in the simulation. I even I couldn’t believe what she said. was very energetic. Kelly and her had to take my Minnie Mouse ears started getting teary-eyed and friend were wearing fairy wings off because we were going bouncing up and down just like and tutus. I wore a Donald Duck backwards down the hill. It was Tigger. I felt overwhelmed and sweatshirt that my friend Nan really funny! After we were done overjoyed to hear the great news. gave me and silver, sparkly with the ride, we went outside and She told me that my Aunt Kathy found someone to take our picture Minnie Mouse ears. and our good friends, Nan and with the big ball. Jennifer, would be going with us After the 5K, we went back to the hotel. As my mom Next, we went to a special to Disney for all of the fun, too. It was really pretty in took a warm shower, I watched soda shop. We were going for an AT event the shop with all of the bright TV. I found a cool channel that that was a 5K through Epcot. colors and the way that it was set Ataxia- up. You could telangiectasia try every soda (AT) is a from neurological everywhere in disease. One the world. I out of every tried many 40,000 flavors of soda children in the but my favorite United States was a crème is born with soda. AT, and I am Afterwards, we one of them. were really AT is like hungry so we having all found a street different vendor and got diseases a snack. wrapped into Next,

DIGNITY: 9

we had a Fast Pass to see Mickey a hug. As Dale was signing my sure they wouldn’t get wet when Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and autograph book, Chip was getting we were over water. I was so Goofy. First, we met Mickey. He really affectionate with me. He amazed after this ride, wow! gave me a kiss. Next came Goofy was giving me kisses and hugs. The next magical day, we and then, Minnie. They all signed Afterwards, they switched and went to the Magic Kingdom. my autograph book. On the way Chip was signing my autograph There were three surprises when out, we ran into Chip and Dale. book and Dale was being extra we walked through the gate. First, Their handler said they had to take friendly. When we were about we were really excited to see a break to drink acorn smoothies leave, my Aunt Kathy asked both Snow White who was in the but he told us that they would be of them if they would like to come building right by the gate. I was right back. Their handler told us with us to get a drink. They were overjoyed to see Snow White something very interesting about nodding their heads. They couldn’t since we were too late to see her how to tell them apart. Dale has come because they were working, the other night in Epcot. Snow the red nose and Chip has the but I will hold them to their White signed my book and I told brown nose. He said that a good promise and see them next time! her that I was really excited to see way to remember it would be to After that, we went on the her because they had cut off the think of a chocolate chip nose for Land Ride and the Finding Nemo line in Epcot. Then, in the same Chip! As we waited, we talked to ride but my favorite was Soarin’. building, we used our Fast Passes each other. They put you and your family on a to see Tinkerbell! While she was When they came back, my row of chairs, swing you over to a signing my book, I told her about Aunt Kathy called Dale over and giant screen, dim the lights, and my tattoo of her on my shoulder. started teasing Chip. She told him, put on a video of the beautiful She said, “Wow, you must be “You’re better than Chip!” Chip California landscapes while you brave to get that done!” She also walked away after this. He knew hand glide over them. It felt so real complimented me on my silver she was kidding. She got down on feeling the breeze and smelling the Minnie ears and I said, “They’re one knee and started pleading for orange trees. I got so into it that I sparkly like your wings and I like Chip’s forgiveness. Chip gave her even pulled back my feet to make anything and everything sparkly.”

DIGNITY: 10

She said, “You’re just like me!” One thing I like to do when but I left because I didn’t want to We hugged goodbye. I go to Disney is to buy lanyards. see her. I was more interested in the Then, we had an extra Each time, I can buy or trade pins stepmother and her daughters special surprise! We used our Fast to put on them. This time, we went because of Tommy Des Brisay’s Pass to see the Magician Mickey to a store on Main Street. Here, I videos on YouTube. Tommy Des Mouse. In the line, the handlers bought five pins including the rest Brisay is an autistic young man and told us to think of a question to ask of the Princess Collection. Right famous runner who taught himself him while we were waiting. We after this, we saw Marie from the how to speak by watching Disney then went into this magic room. Aristocats in the Town Square. I movies. After I left the line, I Inside the room, there was a vase. told her, “Even though you’re went to the Haunted Mansion. It’s The Magician Mickey turned the Duchess’s Kitten, you’re my cat my favorite ride. I really like flowers into magic wands. There too!” Then, we hugged and took a haunted stuff and scary movies. was a big red curtain that Mickey cute picture with all of our friends. The music is great too! They had was standing in front of. To our It was a cool coincidence that all of done some work on it as well. We surprise, he began talking- there our middle names were Marie! There was new stuff like the had a really great day in Magic hadn’t been anything like him hitchhiking ghosts. They had before as the characters don’t Kingdom! knocking walls and doors. Each usually talk! When it was our turn We went around time they knocked on the walls, I to meet and greet him, he spent a Cinderella’s Castle because the would always say, “Only if you’re lot of time with me. First, I gave tunnel through it was closed. It was a vampire, I’ll let you out!” After him a hug. He got down on his exactly like the movie logo, so the Haunted Mansion, I went to knee so that he could be on my beautiful. At night it changes to all Mickey’s Musical Symphony. It level as I was sitting in my sorts of colors. Beyond the castle was an excellent 3-D movie, wheelchair. I reached out and was Fantasyland. We stood in line especially when Donald was tossed squeezed his nose, and he laughed. to see the stepmother and her two off the screen. His bottom was half He was the original Mickey Mouse, daughters, Anastasia and Drizella. sticking out of the wall. so I said, “You are what makes Someone came and told me that the Disney special, and I love you!” He fairy godmother was going to be responded, “Aw that really means a coming out instead. This was lot to me, Pal!” probably to relieve the other actors

DIGNITY: 11

Frustration With a Capital F

By Ann Kurz In Collaboration with Natasha Sacoto

ne of the most absurd questions that I’ve been the counter with the toaster. Ugh, it has a twist O asked is when home health aide schedulers call tie. Untwisting it without being able to pinch the tie to inform me that my aide has called off: “Do you between my thumb and forefinger has forced me to really need an aide?” choreograph intricate hand and finger maneuvers reminiscent of those in the Cat’s Cradle Really? What kind of question is that? Do they think game. However, like a duck without webbed feet I’d put up with all their crap just for the luxury of trying to paddle through water, my twist tie do-si-dos having an aide? Honey, let me tell you - having an get me nowhere fast. aide is no luxury, it’s not like staying in a five-star hotel, having people wait on you hand and foot all 8:45: Ten minutes to take off the twist tie. Now I’m day! It’s a necessity like bread and water! Still you King Kong trying not to mangle the bread as I pull it ask me: Do I really need an aide? Come from the plastic wrap. Unlike twist ties, bread can’t ooooonnnn! I need them to survive. I have withstand my staccato movements and stronghold quadriplegic athetosis or more simply put - cerebral grip --- and you’d better believe that when I grip, I palsy. Imagine a Raggedy Ann doll and you’ll have a grip! Looking for a consuming relationship with my good picture of how CP impacts me. It affects all toast, I manage to defy my wanton desire to clench four limbs and my speech to the point that I need help my fingers around the bread slices and delicately with the most basic daily living tasks, everything you slide them into the toaster. take for granted like feeding yourself, putting toothpaste on the toothbrush, hooking your bra, 8:50: What will I carry the toast to my chair on? A pouring a glass of cranberry juice, spreading peanut plate? No. The toast would sail like frisbees onto the butter on an English muffin… The list goes on and floor as soon as I picked the plate up. Maybe a cloth on. Do they think that I can turn my disabilities on napkin is the safest bet. I spread a napkin in front of and off depending on whether or not I have an aide? the toaster, and seeing that the bread is still down, I No! Do they think that I can go without food for a open up the cupboard to decide what to spread on day? Don’t think so! Do they think they would like it. My choice won’t be jam because it comes in a me imposing a day of fasting on them whenever I had glass jar, and I don’t do glass. I’d love peanut butter the whim? Doubtful but spreading peanut butter on toast with one hand would be like straightening paper with glue on your Okay, so it’s 8:30am now and I’ve just learned I have hands. Honey in a squeeze container would work no aide. I haven’t eaten since 7:00 last night. I’m though. Darn, the honey is behind the peanut butter hungry. I’d better get some jar, which is too wide for me to grab, and next to a breakfast. Hmmm… Pouring Cheerios and milk into jam jar; however, I slide things around like squares a bowl with my hand shaking like a seismograph on a sliding puzzle and move the honey forward needle in a magnitude 7 earthquake would be a bit enough to grab it. Wrapping my fingers around the messy. I don’t even know if I can lift that full gallon slender container causes my arm to become of milk. I’ll forego that disaster...I’d love an English possessed and it jerks, accidentally knocking the muffin, but cutting it open might be dangerous for me peanut butter off the shelf. Look out, and my 3 cats. I’ll opt for toast. cats! Incoming! Thank goodness the peanut butter jar is just plastic. It’s in one piece and won’t hurt 8:35: I pull the loaf of bread from the refrigerator to anything, so I leave it there.

DIGNITY: 12

8:57: My next challenge awaits - taking my toast out downward. of the toaster without burning myself. This calls for extreme measures. I begin to operate like 9:20: A full 50 minutes later my breakfast of toast Frankenstein. Stiffening my arm for stability while and tea is ready! I’m so hungry that my legs are holding a butter knife perpendicular to the toaster, I shaking. Carrying the toast and tea to my recliner is aim to spear the toast with the knife. Sweat pours like balancing on a tightrope, but I persevere. My down my face as I realize the danger. One false move breakfast, my sustenance is in sight. I could gulp it and I could be toast too! Holding my breath, I ram down in one bite, but I force myself to eat the cold, the knife into the toast, lift my arm, pivot, tilt the cardboard-like toast slowly, savoring each morsel. knife downward, and the toast falls onto the napkin. Yes! Success! . . . Well, at least for now… 9:50: Half an hour later, I wash down the last crumb with the remaining dregs of my tea. What happened 9:02: Spreading honey on my toast proves to be to my smorgasbord? Why isn’t there any more sticky business as my aim is as trustworthy as an food? I’m not full yet; I’m still starving. What a arrow sailing towards its mark in gale-force winds. wonderful thing anticipation is, transforming my Now for target practice… I squeeze the container, and breakfast of toast and tea into a grandiose feast, but like bees buzzing from one blossom to the next, my meager morsels are my cold reality. People survive on forearm lurches from one slice to the other, bread and water for days, so I will, too. Now all catapulting honey drops all over the counter, the that’s left is to clean up the cyclonic disaster in the floor, and me. I’m lucky to get any honey on the kitchen and then shower and dress myself. I should be toast really. Perhaps if I aim for the counter, I’ll hit done by the time my assistant comes at 4:00 this the toast. That strategy works fairly well and when afternoon. I’m finished, my toast looks like a Jackson Pollock masterpiece. Too bad no one is here to gawk at my 10:00: I don’t have an aide, but I’ll be fine. I’m beautiful artwork, but then again if someone were starving but who cares? After all, I really don’t need here, my kitchen wouldn’t look like a tar-pit and I an aide! wouldn’t need to pry my fingers off everything I touch. Maybe Cheerios and milk would have been less messy… too late now.

9:10: Toast is done so let’s eat! Right? Wrong! I need a drink. Tea is a no-brainer since I always make tea for lunch. However, my aide usually sets out my mug and puts the tea bag and straw in it ahead of time so that all I need to do is add hot water. But since she’s incognito this morning, I’ll have to start from scratch. Knocking a mug out of the cupboard and playing Pick-Up-Sticks with the straws adds to the mess at hand. But, who’s here to judge? I place the mug in the sink, grab a tea bag, and after a few unsuccessful attempts at dunking the tea bag, I SCOOOOORE! Doing a victory dance, I fill the mug with water and snap on the lid. Piece of cake, I think, until I see the straw on the counter. Ahhhh! I begin a game of Operation, attempting to slide the straw into the lid’s hole. I jab the straw numerous times into the top of the lid, thus proving that I ain’t no OR doctor. As tea pools on the cover with each stab of the straw, I say to myself, “If my mug were alive, it would be dead,” but regardless of my sentiments, I jab and stab, poke and prod, until finally, the straw slides

DIGNITY: 13

The Art of Writing

“A picture is worth a thousand words." mean. Once I’d learned to handwrite, the ideas just flowed naturally from my soul, through my brain, “A word is worth a thousand pictures.” down my arm, into the pen, where the ink gave birth I like that play on words. to their visual life on paper. I like to play with words. You can tweak words until Nobody taught me to care either. I mean, to care people get the true picture. Words are fluid. about the problems that seem so external from my But you can’t tweak pictures. Pictures are static. daily existence--the silencing, the marginalization, the invisibility, the injustice... Words leave room for imagination. So this is poetic justice. Pictures are snap judgments.

And words provide poetic justice Ink bleeding from the pen in thin threads streaming in Words can answer any “what if” questions. What if swirls and twirls and whirls across the paper, my all people were accepted equally? lifeline for my voice to ring out strong and clear. What if I could encourage inclusion for all? The little black letters chasing the cursor across What if I didn’t have cerebral palsy - what would my the blank white page, fingers darting across the life be like? keyboard, punctuating the silence with their message, transcribing my ideas into actions. What if I did have cerebral palsy - what would my life be like? What if I were on Dancing with the Stars? What Written words have power, would I do with my walker? Am I like my great Written words are empowering. grandma Browne who loved to dance and probably would have been a dancer if she could have afforded such trivial pursuits? Written words woven together wrap around me like a What if I am like my grandma Teresa who loved security blanket. They ward off the cold to teach and if she’d had the chance, would have misunderstandings that my spoken words taught me how to be the change I want to see in cannot. They comfort my innermost being by lending the world? clarity to my mumbled voice and credence to my character. I rely on written words to insure that people understand my feelings, my beliefs, me. Did you know I taught myself to write? To put pen to paper, to connect the dots, to form letters, to spell words, to compose sentences...to give myself a And through your written words I can voice. Why I taught myself to write isn’t important - understand. except to say that my teachers and therapists didn’t think I could. And that is our poetic justice. To say “you can’t” is a sentence. The facts and figures between the capital letter of the diagnosis and the period at the end of the assessments imprison students, trapping them somewhere between can’t and won’t. Nobody taught me to write, either. Compose-write, I

DIGNITY: 14

4-23-15 Gary

by Ruthie Emens In Collaboration with Justina McCarty

i Gary, When I was finished paint- now and snow is on the ground. H How was work? And how is ing, the birdhouse was mostly red, Sometimes I think about putting Connie? I miss you. I remember with blue stripes, and a white the birdhouse outdoors, so that when we used to go to school to- roof. Since the paint was still wet, penguins can move in. gether. We would wait for the I put it in the sun to dry. Then the I like your new blue car. I bus, and talk about birds. The teacher said it was lunchtime and remember last year when you and birds were pretty, we watched we went to the cafeteria. Connie picked me up in the new them from the windows while At the end of the day, the car and brought me to Pizza Hut they talked. I made a birdhouse, a teacher said we could bring our for my birthday. When we got red one. I built and painted it in birdhouses home, and I was very there we had cheese and peppero- school, with no help. We had to happy. At home I showed the ni pizza, and pop. Later Lisa, get nails, a hammer, and paint. birdhouse to Mom and Dad. They Nick, Baby Nicholas, Brian, Jen- After we got our supplies, we liked it, and you did too. After- ny, and David came over and you went outside to build the bird- wards I put it in my room, where I gave me a big white bag. house. I put the pieces of the bird- could always see it. I picked up the bag and house together, and then bang, That birdhouse fell off the emptied it on the table, and bang, bang, I hammered the nails windowsill and broke, but now I opened the presents inside. There until it was finished. Then I have a green one in my room. It were two new shirts, both short- opened the paint, and started sits on my nightstand, and when- sleeved. One was yellow, and the painting. My teacher had me put ever I see it I remember waiting other was many different colors. on a smock so that the red paint for the bus with you when we When I was finished opening my wouldn’t get on my clothes. were kids. It is very cold right presents, you all sang “Happy

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Birthday” and we had a chocolate hearing her laugh. She cries some- birthday. All of MooMoo’s family cake, ice cream, and pop. times too, when she’s unhappy. came: her dad, her brothers and There were two candles on She doesn’t cry when her friend sisters, and her friend Paige. The the cake, and as I blew them out I comes to visit her over the week- staff made Chinese food and or- made a wish. I wished that I could end, but during the week she cries. dered a birthday cake from Tops. I be a nurse, like Connie. If I were a I can’t ask her what’s bothering love when we have big dinners at nurse I could help doctors and help her, since she can’t speak, so in- the house, the food is always good, them make people feel better. I stead I sit next to her and rub her I get to spend time with my friends could give people shots and medi- back. and family, and I even enjoy help- cine, and if they were in the hospi- Sometimes when MooMoo ing clean up afterwards! tal I could help move their beds and I are feeling bad, Pat comes I like it here at the Univer- and make them more comfortable. into the living room and dances. sity of Rochester. Every week I go Even though I would like to be a Watching him makes me happy. through the computer lab, and nurse and do all of those things, One time I laughed so hard that I come to a small room at the end of I’m in a wheelchair, so it would be almost cried. I met Pat at the house the hall. I come here with many of hard for me. when he moved in a few years ago. the people I live with at the group I’ve been in a wheelchair When I first met him, I thought he home: Pat, Geraldine, Chris, and for a long time, and it makes me was really cool with his leather Greg. When I am in the small feel sad. In my own room, I can’t jacket. From the time that I first classroom, I get to write. It gives make my bed, the staff have to met him, he has always been good me something to do and makes me make it. I can get in bed on my at making other people happy. He feel happy. I write about my fami- own, and get up and get dressed, tells really good jokes and always ly and friends, because I am al- get in my wheelchair, and wheel knows what to say to make me feel ways thinking about them, and that myself out to the kitchen. Once I better. is how I started to write this letter get to the kitchen there are more My other good friends at to you, Gary. things that I need help with. the house are Geraldine and Chris. I miss you, and Connie too. Things like unloading the dish- Geraldine and I have lived together We danced at Elmwood tonight, washer, pouring a cup of coffee, for a while, but Chris was new last and I wish you had been there. and making breakfast. For break- year. Geri gave me some new Geraldine was the one who wanted fast on the weekends I usually clothes the other day. There were us all to dance. She borrowed a have scrambled eggs. Since I can’t new shirts and two new dresses. Michael Jackson tape and a radio make them myself, Pat and Chris My friends at the house make me from Erica, then made us all come help me out. They get out a pan, feel happy. down to the living room. She then crack the eggs into a bowl and Today I wore a hat at work, turned on the tape, and we danced. beat them up before pouring them even though I didn’t want to. It I sat in my chair and moved my into the pan. I sit at the table and was for a contest. I made it with arms all around, smiling the whole watch them. I think about cookies- finger paint, and then wore it when time. Dancing makes me happy, I -we used to get a snack with break- the paint was dry. I wasn’t happy don’t know why, it just does. fast, but now we don’t. about wearing it because I don’t I think that dancing would After Pat and Chris are fin- really like to wear hats. The only make you happy too. I wish we ished making breakfast, we all eat reason that I wear my pink hat eve- could still spend time together like together. My new friend MooMoo ry day is because Heather gave it we did when we were kids, but also eats with us. She’s very nice, to me, and I like Heather. Heather I’ve also made many new friends but she can’t talk. I know she’s used to live in the room next door at Elmwood and the Inspiration nice because I watch TV with her to mine, but she moved out last Project. I miss you, and I hope that at night. We sit and watch talk year and I really miss her. So I I can see you and Connie soon. shows and laugh together at the wear the pink hat every day to help funny things that people say. me remember her. Love,

When MooMoo laughs she covers At the house, we had a re- her mouth with her hands. I love ally big dinner on MooMoo’s Ruthie

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Greg’s Life Story by Greg Junious In Collaboration with Kwanza Warren

about her and that helps me. I go back to the house after that. I T his is how my story will have learned how to get through am working through the anger begin. When I was a little boy, I life struggles myself. My friend issues and I feel a lot calmer and was really sick. I didn’t have a lot Jeffrey comes and helps me. He’s like I can be more of myself now. of energy in my body. I was really a great guy. I really look up to Money is satisfactory, but I bad off. I almost died. My mom him. I tell him he’s my best friend can’t always buy the things I want and I had the same sickness. The all the time. to get because I don’t have a job. I doctors had to put blood back into Some of the issues that I go did Project Search, which offered my system. I don’t remember the through are stress, anger, hostility, job training for hospital whole official story, but I almost or being unable to accept the way internships. Many of the people in wasn’t able to live. things are. I’m not used to the program were hired in the My mom passed away and annoyances or living with so many hospital after completing three my dad left my life. I have been different people. I generally like a internships. It was good for through many surgeries. I have calmer house. If you give the staff gaining job experiences. I used to moved around from group home to any lip, they will give it right back. work at ARC Works doing piece group home my whole life. I I like to do my own thing and have work from 2012 until late 2014. I moved into my first home when I quiet. put caps on bottles. I put bottles in was ten and lived there 13 years. It Once I got really mad and plastic bags. I did different jobs was very unusual and difficult to broke a lot of the stuff in the every day, but they had to let me adjust to the changes, to being go. I am glad these problems house. I broke the computer and around different people. Before yelled at the staff. I had to spend happen because they give me a that I have lived with my uncle. I several hours at Strong Memorial chance to grow and experience have lived in the home where I am Hospital that day. I didn’t want to life. I can power through them and now since have 2014. family that really care Living in a about me. house with There are nine people many can be very things that stressful at I enjoy that times, but help me get there are through great difficult advantages. times in I have my life. I friends I like video hang out games, with. I try girls, and to think of watching a girl I like TV. My at Edison. favorite I think video

DIGNITY: 17 games are on the 3DS. Mine down. You go down fast. One One of my other uncles is coming broke on Christmas, the same day I time on the Superman my buckle back into my life a lot more and got it. I had it in a stocking stuffer. wasn’t latched and I was scared for wants to be a support system for I was going downstairs, step by my life. I was lucky. Just before me. He is going to do everything step, and I set it down on the chair, the ride started someone who he can to make sure I get all of the and then I sat on the chair and works there came over and latched services I need. My family is broke my 3DS, but not on purpose! the buckle. everything and help with getting I wasn’t paying attention. I should I like the Boomerang. You me through tough times. It is hard have been, because that thing is no go up, and then you go backwards because if I ever got a woman, I cheap little toy! It’s a hand-held really, really fast. I like the Viper, don’t know how she would system. Now I have to wait but it’s not my favorite because it perceive me because I am in a months and months until the price gives you whiplash. I like the wheelchair. It is rare to see women goes down, or at least until my snacks, too, anything they have that date disabled men. auntie can find a new one. there. I have to say, the I am starting a new job My favorite TV shows are hamburgers are pretty good. But called LDA (Learning Disabilities Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, it’s all really expensive. If you Assistance) program: it’s a job ICarly, Henry Danger, Agents of want a big soda in a special cup, training program. One day I hope Shield, and any other shows with it’s seven dollars. Eight dollars to get a job that pays a lot of teen characters. I like Two Broke with tax! money. I am going through the Girls—it’s a funny show, a I like to eat popcorn at the process to gain approval to live in comedy. I consider myself to be a movies. I joined a church group a supportive apartment. A staff smart person. I also like watching that meets on Sundays and reads member will come in once a movies. My favorite movies are Bible passages. I found out about month to help me with goals, so I the Harry Potter series, the Hunger the group through staff at my will no longer be living in a group Games series, X-men Days of house. Her sister works at the home. I am also getting a Future Past, the Twilight series, church. We used to go to people’s community staff that will allow me Marvel movies, Star Wars: houses for dinner or pot lucks and to get out more and explore the Revenge of the Sith, Safe Haven, read Bible passages. Now we just city. They will take me out and Dark Knight Rises, Fast & help me with my social skills, read at the church. Furious, Immortal, Wolf of Wall cooking skills, and finances. I met Street, and Ted. One of my I met a girl at Edison who with one of the managers. She favorite movies is The Amazing is really nice. I don’t really know explained all that they can do for Spiderman 2. That was filmed in very much about her but she is me. They can help with paying downtown Rochester on Monroe very beautiful and smart. She plays bills, and more important, Avenue. I wanted to be an extra, basketball and different sports with independent stuff. They can help but I didn’t get down there in time! us at the gym. I wrote her a letter me get a learner’s permit. They about my feelings and whatever Listening to music and will help me when I get my own was on my mind at the time. I want apartment. That is beautiful for having all of my family in my life to ask her out. I also really like really help me with my stress and me. I think so. coming to the Inspiration Project aggression because they are program. My main focus right now I hope that in reading this always there for me. I enjoy going is getting my life back together story, you got to know the real me over to my uncle’s house so he can and then finding a special someone and my real personality. Having a help take care of me. My uncle just good support system and doing and keep living life. bought me a new TV and I am things that I enjoy have helped me very happy and thankful for it. I I am looking forward to overcome my hardships. It is like going to festivals and being myself and looking past my important to stay positive. As long amusement parks with friends. I behavioral problems. But I can see as you have people that care about like Darien Lake because there are some changes happening in my life and respect you, things can always a lot of rides. I like the Superman. for the better right now. I’m really get better. You go up, up, up, and then you go glad that I have family in my life.

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Kitt by Jeff Yarmel In Collaboration with Nilakshi Mukherjee and Hailey Lawson

Six p.m. on the clock and the silence is sliced by a cellphone ring. I grab the phone. I see the face on the screen; it is my boss. His face is white with fear. “Hello?” “Someone needs your help,” Mr. Devin says urgently. “It's about a girl. There's been a break-in”. He tells me the address and explains what has happened. I tell him I am ready to help.

***

I fling open the door to the house. The first thing I see is a photograph on the wall. It is a picture of a dog, a golden retriever. I look down the hall and do not see anyone. I call out, “Is anybody home?” No one answers. I call again. Still no one answers. As I walk down the hall I hear a sound. It is a dog crying. I go into the family room. I open another door and there, in the next room, is the dog from the photograph. The dog runs to me. It wants to tell me something. I wish it could talk. Luckily, I have a car that talks. It's the smartest car in the world. His name is Kitt.

***

Julie Plummer has gone missing. The back door has been forced open. Her purse and phone have been left behind. There is no ransom note. Back in the car, I look through Julie's recent phone calls. There was a phone call from her brother. There was a phone call from her boyfriend at 3 p.m. There was a phone call from CVS at 2pm. The most re- cent phone call was from an unknown number. I ask Kitt to identify the number. Kitt does not answer. I ask impatiently, “Kitt, who is this caller?” Kitt says, “Hold on a minute, I am thinking.” While Kitt is thinking I look out the windshield. The street is empty and the streetlights have come on. I glance at my watch and realize that it is 5:15p.m. Kitt finally traces the number to the person that I believe took Julie. Kitt says to me that he has found the location where the call was placed from. *** I speed off with Kitt to the site of an old junkyard. I look around and see some workers mashing the cars together into metal cubes. I see Julie running away from the bad guys who captured her. I see her struggling to run away. She

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needs help. They put her in a red car. “Leave her alone!” I shout. They don’t listen and slowly approach me. They are mad. They know who I am. They see the word “Knight” on the back of Kitt. There are five of them. They are wearing T-shirts and jeans. They don’t look bigger than me. I am not afraid of them. I run toward them. It is starting to rain.

***

Before I left Kitt, I told him to save Julie. My plan was to distract the bad guys in the meantime. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kitt driving at full force towards the bad guys. Kitt uses his secret hose to launch a surprise attack. The force of the water is so strong that it tosses the men 50 feet back. I run to the red car that Julie is trapped in. I had a feeling that it would be unlocked because the bad guys knew that Julie was blind and could not escape on her own. Inside the car, I find Julie shaking and con- fused. I help Julie walk to Kitt.

***

We get in the car. Julie says to me, “I have a gift for you. I gave it to Kitt the last time we met. It was for your birthday. I told Kitt to keep it a secret from you. I wanted it to be a surprise.” Julie takes out my gift from the back of the car. It is a model of Kitt she made herself! I knew Julie had a dream to drive but had been unable to because she was blind. I wanted to thank Julie and so, I let her sit in the driver’s seat. She drove for the first time. I had never seen Julie so happy.

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The Mendon House by Patrick Hurley In Collaboration with Brigid Hogan

porch, before the horses and our This one time, we were M y family used to live in the dog, Dairy. We didn’t have the living in our old house --and we house in Mendon. The shutters pool! We didn’t have a barn. Back did have horses by now– we were green outside the windows, in the sixties we didn’t have owned our own barn and the two and the house was white, and much. And then everyone grew horses lived there. Ginger and there were three cars– two in the up, and we got the horses and the Chester- my father named them. garage, and then the van in the barn and the pool. We went on He loved it! I think it was Chester driveway with the basketball trips, like going to Ireland, and -- he was dun colored, and Ginger hoop. It was big, each kid had Boston, and everywhere else. was brown like a cardboard box. their own room. We were all to- Everyone grew up, and it was just We don’t have them anymore – gether in the house. It was noisy me and my mom in the house Ginger was getting kind of mean sometimes, but it was like the hol- when my father passed away. It and she started eating wood. idays. was too big for just me and my Chester was nice, he didn’t leave, he died. I know what he died of, At the beginning, we did- mom. A couple years ago, we n’t have pets. This was before the sold it to someone else. something. Before, when my dad

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went out of town on Wednes- at the Mendon house. Not at the was probably expensive. I went days, I would feed them. I would same time, but three different and got the keys to the car— feed the horses and the cats, they dogs – and we keep the same nobody saw me, not my sisters ate oats, and hay. Not the cats. name. We call them all Dairy. and brothers. I got in the car and They ate a big bag of cat food. All three of them. I’m not done put it in gear to drive. I moved One time, one of the yet! We had cats. A loooooot. my feet off the break. Most lived outside – but one horses got out. He was outside of The car was going for- lived inside with us. And one the electric fence -- he jumped ward. It moved around a lot. over! Well, you know horses. time, one had kittens, maybe ten. The car went into the This was a long time ago, back They were in the garage and white wall between garages, and when we had the van and my made a bunch of noise, I would it hit the back of my mom’s sta- sister was driving all side-to-side go out and visit them. tion wagon. It hit it so hard that and swerving. I went with her. The cars were kept in the it almost ran into the pool fence And when we came back to the garage too – two cars and our (she would have laughed, I know house, we had to call the cops. van. It was a long time ago. it!). I wasn’t scared, though. Me, And the cops called animal con- Maybe in the 80’s or in the 90’s. scared? No. But I was surprised. trol, and they led Chester back 20 or 30 years ago. My parents I wasn’t hurt at all. to the barn. I think they lassoed were away on vacation. I didn’t him. They had the trooper hats have no parties—that , I didn’t I shut the car off and got too, and they took a report. They do. I had some friends over, but out. I didn’t tell anyone. Maybe were very serious. My sister was we didn’t go crazy. I was trying someone noticed, I don’t know. scared, but not me! The horse to move my father’s Cadillac, to Someone told on me, I think. got off easy, went back to the try it out and see how it felt. It That’s how my parents found barn and ate. We had three dogs was white, not too big. I think it out. They were angry. I was

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grounded: 4 weeks with no TV. have a porch, and sometimes, not Cause we got a lot of trees there! Then I was sad. One of my broth- only me, we slept on the porch. In When we were raking, we would ers had a party at his house, and the winter we would have a big make a huge pile, and jump in. my father said I could get my TV fireplace to keep us warm. We had Some trees had some fruit on them, back. I get my Baywatch back. I a table on the porch and we ate like we had an apple tree, and a love that show, it’s got the ladies dinner out there and fall asleep peach tree, and a pear tree. We (oh yeah!). with the crickets. We played would pick the fruit right off, and The car was eventually games, threw the football on the sometimes I’d feed it to the horse. grass. Sometimes we played bas- fixed. In the winter, I’d lie on my back ketball in the driveway, with the and move my arms around to make But we did have parties, a hoop over the garage. We had two snow angels. loooot of parties. garages for the car, but they moved When I turned forty in the the lawnmower to the barn … after I would take the ice and the spring, it was a huge party, my you know. snow off the car. Christmas Day, girlfriend came, and her parents we have people come over, and we But I love being around open presents and have a big din- too. We walked around outside, we do a lot of family all day – ner. The night before, on Christ- spent the day together, holding stuff. There’s an in ground pool in mas Eve, we go to church. In that hands. The whole family showed the back of the house. My nieces time, my mom was singing in the up, and we played some country, and nephews will play with me in choir, it was nice to hear her sing. had cake, I got some presents. And the pool – playing water polo, do- We all sang, at least I know I do! one time, when my sister had her ing tricks like when your hands are Hymns and Christmas carols, I do own apartment, like a house kind on the bottom of the pool and your both. of, and she cooked for me and my legs are up in a handstand. girlfriend Molly. And we lit can- We still drive by the Men- In the fall when the leaves dles, ate good food, and talked. don house when we go to church – come down, I’d help my family and we still go to church out in One time, my brother John, raking them – that’s the fun part. It he hung different lights with bright Mendon We point it out and say hi was a big lawn, my brother would I know I do. We still talk colors around where the barn was. to it – take the lawnmower to mulch the about the house, my family does. I It was for his graduation. We had a leaves up, and then we would rake. think they love it. It was a big cook out on the grill. lot of parties, and cam- That’s what I like! On a pouts, and being with nice, warm summer day. family. I miss it. But I still There’s a round table where see family, almost every we sit there, have a drink, day, and it’s always good, talk and just spend time with each other. We did even without the house.

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Dream Journal, Real Journal by Toni Montgomery In Collaboration with Rutul Amin

just got to my fancy hotel room in Hollywood. Oprah Winfrey, and my best friends Hannah and Ru- I am so tired from that flight! The first thing I tul. I also met Mary, Mary, my absolute favorite gos- I am going to do is take a bubble bath. Then, I’ll pel singing group! Jennifer Hudson came too. I went order in some breakfast. After, I am going to head to back to shopping and bought myself a custom-made my store, Toni Diva. I will buy some fabulous pink short dress for my book’s movie premier to- clothes! night. It has a V-neck and an open back. I bought a -kind pair of pink, short heels with a match- one-of-a ing pink and peach handbag. I went back to my hotel August 15, 2014 room. A lady named Sarah helped me get my stuff I live in an ARC house. I have an apartment upstairs ready on my bed. She checked my clothes, makeup, and I have a roommate. My walls are blue. No pic- and hair. tures yet, but soon. Queen- sized bed, comfortable. I wish it was bigger. I have to share the bathroom. I August 18, 2014 hate it. My staff comes to knock on my door in the morning.

"Time for meds, Toni!" they say. Then I eat break- I just signed some copies of my book for these fa- fast. I like peanut butter. I put it on toast. I drink mous actresses and actors. I got to meet Tyler Perry, my coffee with sugar and cream. Now I'm awake! I

DIGNITY: 24 get myself ready to go to Program. The first thing I about my day in my journal. I do this often. I write do at there is drink a second coffee. Class starts at about meeting actors. I write poetry. I write to myself. 9:30am. We talk about how to find a job in the com- Here’s an excerpt: munity. We talk about skills like dressing right, nice hair, filling out an application. I want a job writing more stories. I want to publish my book so people Dear Tyler Perry, can read it. I watch your movies. Can you send me some pictures? Can you send mov- I got dressed up. I called my chauffer and drove to my ies? New movie. book’s movie premier in a pink limo. When I arrive, Send Pictures of you. lots of people want to take pictures with all the differ- Good actor, that time you dressed like woman ent stars around me. I had two body guards named Tom Cruise and Will Smith. I walk onto the pink car- When is your next movie? pet that led all the way to my seat in the theater. A I really want to meet you. server comes and takes orders from the audience. I Your girlfriend is cute. I hope you both are a happy order shrimp with blue cheese and red wine. I also couple. order strawberry cheesecake, my favorite dessert. You are a good person and are really funny.

My favorite role of yours is Madea. I also liked when August 19, 2014 you played Joe. After lunch, I go to the computer, check my email, Write back soon! and just sit. My friends sent a picture of Latrice in it. My staff emailed me a baby picture of her son, Con- nor. Then class started at 12:00pm. We again talked p.s. This is Toni Montgomery about jobs. I really want to be a writer.

I say bye to him. “See you later, Steven.” He says, “I [The movie starts] I see myself on the screen. I play apologize again.” I moved on with my life. But his ex- the girlfriend. Steven is the boyfriend. He gives me girlfriend started stalking me. She called me every- pink roses because he loves me! But I know he’s day, at nighttime. I called the cops. They got a war- cheating on me. I know because I can see it in his rant to search her house. They found phone records, eyes. He has a lot of money. He buys me whatever I pictures, and emails of her stalking me. I felt sad. I want. He respects me, I think. I ask him, “Are you moved to California. I’m on vacation. cheating on me?” and he says, “Yes…I have a new girlfriend.” I ask him, “ Why did you do that? An af- fair? Now dating?” All he says is, “I’m sorry.” August 21, 2018 I woke up and made breakfast. I toasted a bagel and August 20, 2014 put cream cheese on it. I drank milk. Program started at 9:00am. My bus came about a little after 8:30am.I At 2:00pm, I leave the Program center in a van. I go drank coffee as soon as I get there. I did a word back to my home on Brooks Avenue. I take my meds search like always. I put my stuff away, like my coat, and relax. I watch some TV. I love Housewives of in my locker. My friends and I met up at Program. Atlanta. At 10:00pm, I lay down on my bed. I write

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Mondays and Wednesday we go to the animal shelter, like a banana. I relax. It’s the weekend. Tomorrow, I Goodwill, Meals on Wheels, and Moose Club. We will do the same thing, except I won’t change my had cooking class. I liked making stuff, like breakfast. nails. We then look for more jobs. I really want to be a writ- My book is about my life so far. I want my picture on er. the cover. My book talks about my dreams to be in Hollywood. I can’t wait for people to know me as an I think I’ll wait for someone else. I’m going to go to author. Toni Montgomery. I knew this book would the beach. I bring my journal to write in about my take time so I bought an apartment. I stayed in Cali- now ex-boyfriend and about his stalking ex-girlfriend. fornia for 3 years. My book is now finished. I’m ready I feel good right now. There is no drama to deal with. to have it published. I am going to start a new life here. My life as a writer. August 24, 2014 August 22, 2014 Today, I will take a walk around my house, around I wait for the Trans bus with my friends. I hop on and the block. I like walks to get rid of stress. I come back head home to Brooks Ave. My staff made dinner – home and eat dinner. Roast, potatoes, rice, and vege- ribs, rice, and cabbage. It was yummy! I go to my tables. I start writing in my journal. “Be myself.” I room and write in my journal. I watch a movie. I always remember that, because I am awesome. I am cleaned my room. I love seeing my room clean. I feel Toni. independent. I relax. I watch a Tyler Perry movie. I am a huge fan of him. I talk to my staff about my day. I find a publisher. My book is finally done. People are They are nice. They leave at around 10pm. They will going to read my work. I’m going to sell it. My pic- be back tomorrow morning. I love watching House- ture will be on the cover. It will have a section talking wives. I then lay down and think about my day. about my life. I am so excited. I am so happy. I feel good. Nothing is stopping me now, not even God. I start writing at the beach. I remember feeling sad Amen. [The movie ends] about him, jealous of her. I would never go back. I like it here. I can go back to my hotel. I get to use the August 25, 2014 hot tub. The nighttime here is pretty. I like looking at the stars. I get served drinks and grape juice and rum, I have another hobby that is not writing. I do word all together. My travel agent had everything booked searches and crossword puzzles. They relax me. I also for me. I am going to stay here until this book is fin- like to celebrate my birthday, May 20th. I take the ished. people that I like to T.G.I.F.’s. My favorite thing to order there is burgers. The best part is when they sur-

prise me with a birthday song. My real party is going August 23, 2014 to be on the 16th. A lot of people are coming to my It’s Saturday morning. I sleep in until 11am. I had house that day. There will be food and dancing. It will some cereal. I go to Walmart and get my nails done. be my time to party. I can’t wait for people to know Pink nails, always. I head back home, go up the stairs about my life one day. to my room, and watch some movies. Guess which kind? Tyler Perry ones! Today I chose to watch Good Deeds. Oh! It was so good. I eat something sweet,

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Comeback by Chris Thornton In Collaboration with Zach Arnold

t was the 1992 football sea- in the playoffs. They were going house at noon I helped them with son for the Buffalo Bills, the to play the Houston Oilers again. their coats and hung them up in I last game of the regular sea- We planned to watch the game on our closet,; it was only five coats son. The starting quarterback for TV at my parent’s house on Hen- so it was not exhausting. After I the Bills was Jim Kelly, who had rietta. The game was not going to hung up the coats I would offer led the Bills to two Super Bowls. be on TV because the Bills did them food. As people came into Jim Kelly was a super quarter- not sell out the stadium. We had the house I asked them how their back. The Bills were 11-4 and to listen to the game on the radio, weekend was and how their fami- were playing the Houston Oilers but I did not mind because I en- lies were doing. I was happy to on a Sunday night. It was about joy listening to games. We see everyone. My Uncle Steve the seventh minute in the second planned a big party with pretty was worried about the game be- quarter when Jim Kelly went much everyone in my family. A cause he thought they would not down with a knee injury. I was lot of people in my neighborhood make it farther in the playoffs. upset because he had a family were going to be listening to the After talking to my uncle I was a who was watching and they never game. It was going to be an im- little nervous, but not very much. wanted to see him get hurt. The portant game. There was a little People talked and talked before team was disappointed because bit of talk about Jim Kelly not the game. People were talking he was a quarterback who put playing. But I was not nervous about work and about life in gen- time into practice, scrimmages, because I still felt that the Bills eral. They were all drinking beer and warm-ups. He was a man could win the game. On the Sat- and wine out of glasses. It was who was a good-sport and a hard- urday before the game I was sit- one o’clock and the game was worker that would be missed. The ting in my house doing nothing. I about to start. Bills had to turn to their backup was thinking about the game and I was upset during the quarterback Frank Reich. In col- how I could help out with the par- first quarter because the Bills did- lege, Frank Reich played for Mar- ty. I was excited for the party and n’t make a touchdown on the first yland where he led a miracle the game to begin. drive. Houston had scored a comeback against the Miami Hur- Sunday came and it was touchdown. My family was dis- ricanes. Reich would not play as game day. I helped get ready for appointed by the early lead. I was well as Jim Kelly. Reich did not the game by bringing food into a little disappointed with the ref play as well because got sacked the house like chips, pizza, hot in the first quarter. I stood up, had many times. The Bills would lose sauce, and ice cream. I also a hissy fit, and yelled at the radio the game 27-3, I was mad at the moved some furniture around to that the ref was a ‘butthead’. The Houston Oilers for beating them. help organize people sitting Bills managed to get a field goal The Bills were luckily still down. As people came into the right near the goal line. Buffalo

DIGNITY: 27 getting a field goal was okay be- ing the Bills’ pass and returning it a good regular season, and was cause Houston’s defense was play- back for a touchdown. The Oilers trying to lead them throughout the ing well. They could always score were now up 35-3 and I could not playoffs. Moon would lead Hou- touchdowns later on. believe it. I still had some hope but ston to the 15-yard line for a short Houston’s defense had cut the Bills needed a miracle to come field goal to tie the game. The down the Bills’ offense. Their de- back. The Bills started again with score was tied at 38 and the game fense got a lot of sacks, they were Kenneth Davis running in for a was going into overtime. My fami- stopping the running back, and in- touchdown at the goal line. The ly was bummed about the field tercepted passes. By the second Bills were now at 35-10 and peo- goal, but I had a feeling it was go- quarter I was kind of bummed. ple were so happy they were jump- ing to end up in overtime. Over- Houston gained a lot of first downs ing up and down. Don Beebe was time was going to start right away in the second quarter and managed next to score by catching a pass at so I stayed in my seat. the 20 and running into the end to score 3 touchdowns, Houston’s Houston won the coin toss zone for another touchdown. An- offense was on fire. Houston went to start with the ball. I was a little dre Reed was next to score with up 28-3 to end the first half. The bit scared and worried because two different catches and brought Bills were not playing very well. Houston could score and win the the score to 35-31. Reed was a My family was upset because the game. Moon would throw 2 passes great receiver who led the team to team was down by such a large out of bounds. Moon would then the Super Bowl twice. The Bills score. My family still thought they overthrow his receiver and the ball were only down by four and my could win though because the Bills would end up in the hands of Nate family knew that they could come had played well in the game before Odoms for an interception. Jeffries the other Houston game. While we back. They were excited because it of Houston grabbed Odoms face- was a close game. were waiting for the game to come mask and a penalty flag was back on I had a 7-Up, my favorite The Houston defense im- thrown. Buffalo would start 20 soda that I always have once a day. proved at the beginning of the 4th yards away from the end zone. I I also had some cheese, crackers, quarter, but their offense was slop- found myself jumping up and and pizza because I was really py. Reed showed how good a play- down with happiness, I even did hungry. I talked to my dad at half er he was when he scored his 3rd my famous happy-dance. I would time. We talked about the game touchdown without Jim Kelly grab my hips and swing them back and how terrible the Bills were in throwing to him. Buffalo would and forth. Everyone in my house the 1st half. I asked him about how take the lead 38-35, this would be was jumping up and down with he was doing at work; he was do- the first time Buffalo would take me. I thought they were going to ing well at the Munro Plant. My the lead. My family was now giv- win at this point. Curtis Davis only dad was the man who taught me ing each other high-fives in happi- ran two short runs to set up the the most about football. I also ness for the lead. Buffalo’s defense field goal because there were no talked to my dad’s friends, just to was going after the Houston quar- time outs left to score a touch- see how they were doing. terback. Bruce Smith had gotten a down. Steve Christie went on to I went back to my seat on sack but the play was called back kick the game winning field goal! for a roughing the passer penalty. the couch to listen to the rest of the Everyone was screaming Houston was happy about the pen- game with pizza on my plate. The and jumping up and down at this alty, but Houston’s quarterback third quarter started with Bubba point. I talked to my father’s Warren Moon was slow to get up. McDowell of the Oilers intercept- friends about the field goal. Every- Warren Moon had lead Houston to

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one was calling the game a mira- The next day I went to then play the Miami Dolphins. cle. This would be the greatest school. All of my friends were They would win again 30-13. I game I would ever see. By the surprised by the game. A couple was not as surprised about this end of the game people were tired of kids even wore Bills jerseys to win. The Bills would move on to and left my house. I helped clean school. Even my teachers talked the Super Bowl against Dallas. up the house; it was only a little about the game winning field Dallas would win the Su- bit dirty. I also helped clean the goal a little bit. The news called per Bowl 52-17. I was not that dishes and put them in the dish- the game a marvelous comeback. disappointed. The Bills always washer. I was still happy and ex- The Bills were going to play the lose in the Super Bowl. There cited about the game even while Pittsburgh Steelers in the next were a lot of ups and downs but cleaning up. After I was done round. My father thought that the the Bills had a good season. The with the dishes I talked to my sis- Bills would beat the Steelers. My Bills would still be my favorite ter. We talked about the game dad turned out to be right, they team, because I do not like the winning field goal and she said won the game 24-3. The Bills other teams. she was excited too. I went to bed played very well throughout this at the end of the night. It was re- game. The Steelers game was not ally past my bedtime at this point. nearly as close. The Bills would

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Kwanis: This Is My Story by Geraldine Copeland In Collaboration with Siri Kanya Ganti

Introduction: sauce and cheese over them. Then another layer, and another. Six layers with Monterey jack cheese, My name is Geraldine. This story is about shredded and sprinkled all around! And then finally me helping other people. I love helping other you put it all in the oven. I loved it! Grandma people. I help my Grandma, Sadwack and I talked while I help my friends, I help the we were cooking. I felt hospital, I help women’s happy. shelters, and I help Kwanis. Moving to the Group Home: CP Rochester! Grandma is Fun to be After that, the next time I felt with! happy was at my CP Rochester group home. When I was When I first came to CP younger, I did a lot of things Rochester I met Debbie. I to help people. I helped my took care of my friend grandma out a lot. I helped Debbie’s cat, Willie, when clean dishes, emptied the she got sick. I cleaned the dishwasher. I didn’t want litter box. I groomed and fed her to do it by herself; I Willie. He liked to come in chose to help her out. And my room a lot. When my then my grandma would let friend Mary-Ellen got sick, I me spend the night. And took care of her cat Snow you know what? I did it and White too. I love taking care I felt good. of cats. My grandma In CP Rochester, I helped out Sadwack is Lithuanian. I at two nursing homes. I was more Lithuianian than helped them play balloon my sister, because I was volleyball at one and bingo at over at my grandma’s place another. At the first nursing more than my sister. One home, most of them are in time, she took me to the store. She said I could buy wheelchairs so that’s why we used balloons. They something and I was going to buy something red. couldn’t go too far to get them, so I would go in and But the lady at the lipstick counter said don’t buy fetch the balloons for them. red because Lithuanians get mad when they buy red. I also went to a different nursing home and She took me out to dinner many times. Once helped them play bingo. The friends at the nursing I had frog legs! They tasted like fish. We also ate home and all the staff were friendly. They asked me pickled herring once at my Grandma’s house. They what my name was and I gave my name: Geraldine. were so good. I like food a lot. They gave me snacks after bingo. My grandma and I cooked together a lot. I

helped her cook lasagna. First you start with the noodles in the pot; you put them in the pot until the Kwanis is Very Fun! We do a lot! I want to tell you about Kwanis. Kwanis is water boils. Then you put them in the pan, with where people help each other and we have fun. I

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met Kwanis three years ago. Kwanis is a group that and take the handmade blankets with them -- it’s a comes to our house; we meet once in a while. A lot piece of Kwanis that they can take with them and of people are in that group. We give the things we remember to feel good and strong. I would give make to other people. We don’t keep anything. blankets to people in hospitals, too, because they Everything we make is my favorite. We do fun need some warmth and love from a blanket. things. I’m happy to be in a club. I just want to be Someday I wish I could help the lady, Jamie, part of it next year and every year because I love it. who runs Kwanis, and her husband by making We are donating bookmarks that we make to something for them. Jamie is funny and a nice the Brighton Public Library. We made 500 already person. She has short hair and she always wears and put stickers on them. These bookmarks are for all bright-colored sneakers—orange, and sometimes she the children that come to the Brighton Library-- I wears blue. I would love to help Jamie by passing would love to keep one for myself! out the project materials, and by baking something We are also collecting pop tabs for McDonald for everyone in Kwanis. I would bake cupcakes for House now. Pop tabs are the little things that come them: chocolate and vanilla. off of soda cans. I’ve been getting some from work, Kwanis gives me responsibility. As secretary and putting them in a baggie. And right now, I have I take notes, check people’s names off, and ask more than ten. I’m going to put the little bag into a people for new ideas. I feel very good about that. bigger bag. Every time we win a contest, they give me a Last year we made $200 collecting money for certificate I can put in my folder, because I’m Strong Memorial Hospital. When people came secretary of Kwanis. I love being secretary. around, we asked them for money. This year, we I love doing the things that I do for other made $250 collecting money for the hospital. And it people. I didn’t think there was going to be anything felt good because we are doing a good job for a in Kwanis for me. I didn’t think I was going to be this hospital. interested in it. But I am. I love Kwanis. I care about Kwanis also taught me how to make blankets Kwanis. I want to tell you that I love it. by tying fabric into knots. The day we were making I think everyone is wonderful and I think blankets, people were in a hurry because they didn’t everyone is awesome. I think it’s wonderful to help have enough time to stay there. I had to have two other people. When I help someone it makes me feel people help me, which was very nice of them! The happy inside. This is my story. blankets we made at Kwanis were all donated to a woman’s shelter because they don’t have their own The End blankets. When women get abused they go to that shelter. When the women are ok, they can go home

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Snowy’s Adventure by Latrice Person In Collaboration with Cat Sbeglia

nce upon a time, She goes upstairs because her and because her aunt and uncle Cory’s mom grandma used to be in the guest live there, Cory, her mom, and makes her a cake room. She would come over and Melissa go over to their house Oth for her 9 birthday. In the corner play with Cory all the time. before the service. Even though of the room, hiding behind an Her mom knocks on the Brooklyn isn’t very far from indoor plant, is a white box with a door. She gives Cory a hug. After where Cory lives in Manhattan, red bow. At first, Cory thinks it Cory calms down, she plays with she takes Snowy with her. Cory might be a dollhouse. After they her blocks. She colors a little bit, wants to bring Snowy to the eat cake, her mom brings over the and then she holds a big teddy church with them as well, but her box and gives it to Cory. bear that her grandma gave her. mom explains that doing so She feels something shift It’s a big black teddy bear. Snowy wouldn’t be appropriate. A in the box. And then there is a yip comes up to her and wants to play funeral is no place for a dog. from inside. At first, she is scared catch with her. She feels better. Fortunately, Snowy is sleeping because she doesn’t know what it Cory’s mom and Melissa when they leave. is. But it’s definitely not a write everything in a little book. Later, Snowy wakes up, dollhouse. She takes the lid off When Cory comes down, she sees and realizes that he is locked in carefully, and inside is a puff of a little book on the kitchen table. his crate and doesn’t see Cory white stuff. It is a puppy! She It’s purple, and has an angel on it. anywhere. Snowy has never been lifts the dog out of the box, and “What is this?” she asks. left alone before, so he is scared. puts him on the carpet. He sniffs Melissa reads it to her. It’s about a Someone is usually home with around. He looks like a big ball of little girl and her grandma. She him. He starts to shake all over snow. He is a Bichon Frise. Corey goes on these adventures with her and cry. Suddenly, Snowy hears names him Snowy. grandma, playing hide and go the jingle of keys in the lock on After a couple months, seek, and they go to the store, they the front door. Now, he is even Cory and Snowy are good friends. do different kinds of things. And more scared. He begins to bark He jumps on the couch when he then one day, her grandma gets and tries to break the latch with sees her coming home from sick and she dies. But then, the his snout. school through a window. When girl already knows that her He successfully breaks the she gets inside, Snowy pants and grandma is a little bird in heaven latch, just as the front door creaks wags his tail. looking down on her, to keep her open, and then slams shut. Before Christmas comes safe. Snowy’s shaking gets worse and along and Cory gets all her toys She thinks about her he lets out a yip. He steps out of and dolls, Cory’s mom gets a grandma a little bit. She thinks the crate onto the brown, wooden phone call from her granddad. It that her grandma wouldn’t want floor of the apartment. Then, he shocks her mom first. She has her to be sad, so she wants to help hears footsteps coming towards trouble trying to find the words to her mom. She wants to help make him. tell Cory. So she gets her second pictures for the people at the A man enters the room, cousin, Melissa, to come over, and funeral, do flower decorations, and Snowy starts barking at him. they tell Cory together. help her family with the He thinks this is an intruder, but Cory is very sad, and she preparations. Snowy starts to really it’s just Cory’s uncle gets a little mad. She is mad sleep in Cory’s bed every night. coming home from work. because she doesn’t believe her She is comforted by his warmth. “Hi, Snowy!” Cory’s uncle mom. She wants it not to be true. The funeral is in Brooklyn, reaches for Snowy, trying to pet

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him. “Here,” Fur Ball says, to pet Snowy. This makes the boy But this action startles “you can have this.” feel sorry for him, but he is also Snowy, and he backs away. He Snowy stops crying. very excited to have found a sees that one of the living room “Thank you.” He smiles and wags puppy! windows is open, and so he his tail before happily eating the He picks up Snowy and lunges out of the window. pizza crust. brings him to his mom, who is “Come back!” Cory’s While Snowy eats, Fur standing a few feet away, talking uncle shouts after him. Ball thinks up a plan. He decides to another mom. He taps her on After wandering the that because it’s springtime in the elbow to get her attention. neighborhood for some time, New York, there will be a lot of She turns around, and looks trying to find Cory, he meets a kids in the nearby park, and that down. stray cat, named Fur ball, in an one of the kids is probably going “Mom, look. I found a alley. Fur Ball is gray with blue to want to take the puppy home. puppy. Over by that tree over eyes like water. He knows all Then maybe they will find his there,” he says. about New York City because he real owner. “Brandon, you can’t keep has been living on the streets for “I got this plan,” Fur Ball that puppy. He’s probably really a long time. He is cool, like one says when Snowy has finished dirty,” she responds. of those slick cats. Snowy the crust, “I know people, and I “I’ll give him a bath right approaches him because he is know that people love dogs.” when we get home,” he says, hungry and Fur Ball happens to The park has a swing set eagerly. be standing near a trashcan full of and a slide. There are little boys His mom sighs. “Let me food. and girls and their mothers all call your father.” “What are you doing around. Snowy and Fur Ball play Brandon smiles. here? I don’t know you. Get away with a ball together, taking turns As they leave the park, from me,” Fur Ball says. pinning each other down. Snowy looks for Fur Ball. He “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m trying Suddenly, Fur Ball spots a eventually sees him by the tree to find my owner,” Snowy boy. He has black hair and is where they were playing. Fur Ball answers. “Can you help me?” wearing glasses. He is sitting on a raises his paw in farewell. Fur Ball thinks about it bench by himself, looking lonely. When Brandon’s father for a moment. “No,” he says, Fur Ball thinks he looks about comes home later that evening, he snarling. Snowy jumps, but when eight-years-old. sits Brandon down at the kitchen Fur Ball walks away, Snowy “Hey,” Fur Ball says to table. He is a little nervous about follows him. Snowy, “that boy looks lonely. what his dad is going to say. “Stop following me! Go Maybe you should go play with “You can keep the puppy home!” Fur Ball yells. him.” for now, but you have to put up Then, Snowy starts Snowy is shy, but then he flyers first. And if no one claims whimpering. thinks about how Fur Ball is him, then he can be yours. But if Fur Ball slows down at courageous. At first, he moves someone calls and says he the sound of Snowy crying. He slowly towards the boy, but then belongs to them, you have to give turns around, and goes back becomes excited at the thought of him back. Deal?” towards the trashcan where being around another little boy or Brandon is somewhat Snowy still stands, his tail and his girl again, and so he starts to run, shocked, but agrees. head down. his tail wagging happily. That night, curled in a ball Fur Ball starts to dig Snowy barks to get his beside Brandon, Snowy can’t around in the trash. Eventually, attention. At first, the boy is help but dream about Cory. In his he pulls out a pizza crust with his startled, but he sees Snowy’s dreams, they are playing together. mouth. He places the crust on the green eyes, mostly happy, but He yips excitedly in his sleep. concrete in front of Snowy, and with a hint of sadness, and But in the middle of the night, then nudges it towards him. changes his mind. He leans down Snowy wakes up to the

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realization that he is not home, and back to the park where Brandon She gets off the bench, and that the person sleeping next to first found him, and hang some kneels down on the pavement. him is not Cory. This makes him there. He even gives a copy to his “Come here, Snowy!” she shouts. anxious and upset. He really teacher. At first, Snowy doesn't misses her, and he wants to go A few days after the flyers react, but then in a burst of home. He wonders if she misses have been hung, Brandon’s father excitement he rushes into her him too, and he wonders where gets a phone call from Cory’s arms. Cory hugs Snowy tightly. she is. He hopes someone is taking mother. Cory’s cousin, who She is so grateful that she didn’t care of her. happens to attend the same school have to lose two loved ones. The next day, Brandon as the boy, recognized Snowy in Brandon and his father notices that Snowy is refusing to one of the flyers that was hung up finally join them at the bench. eat, and won’t play with him. He near the principal’s office. Cory’s mom shakes the father’s thinks this is because he is sad and They arrange to meet at the hand, thanking him. misses his real owner. He park where Snowy was found that Cory stands up, and says to approaches his father, and says, afternoon. Cory goes with her Brandon, “Thank you so much.” “Maybe we should start those mom, and nervously wonders if it Brandon is very sad to give posters now, and see what happens is truly her dog. up the puppy, but he knows it’s because I think the puppy is sad Cory and her mom sit on a the right thing to do, and when he here.” bench, waiting for the man and his sees how happy Snowy makes His dad puts a pile of paper son to arrive. She bites her nails. Cory, he can’t help but be happy in the printer. He then helps She has always had that habit. She himself. He looks up at his dad. Brandon take a picture of Snowy, also giggles nervously and fidgets “Will I get to see him again?” and upload it to the computer. with anticipation. Before he can answer, They work together on the Then, Cory sees in the Cory’s mom says, “You can visit computer making a flyer with their distance a ball of white fur Snowy anytime you want. You telephone number and the picture walking beside two people. can even dog sit for us.” of Snowy. When they’re done, Slowly, they get closer until they While walking out of the they print them all out. are close enough for Cory to park, Cory looks up at the sky, and They put the flyers around recognize that it is definitely whispers, “Thank you, Grandma.” their neighborhood, and then go Snowy.

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The Inspiration Project:

Project Director Joanna Scott

Project Advisers Deborah Rossen-Knill Glen Cerosaletti

Project Coordinator Jenny Boyar

Assistant Coordinator Zarah Quinn

Consumer Guide Latrice Person

Consumer Advocates Marilyn Argenta Tina Bennett Gretchen Young-Zeh

Anthology Design Jenny Boyar

Consumers Tori Bement Geraldine Copeland Ruthie Emens Patrick Hurley Greg Junious Ann Kurz Toni Montgomery Thuan Nguyen Latrice Person Chris Thornton Jeff Yarmel

Students Sally Patel Rutul Amin Natasha Sacoto Zachary Arnold Cat Sbeglia Siri Ganti Hannah Thomas Brigid Hogan David Vandermeer Justina McCarty Joseph Vrooman Sophie Hatch Kwanza Warren Nilakshi Mukherjee Yixuan Stefan Zhang

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