My art studio

Yesterday I moved into my own art studio. Today I painted in my own studio. I painted a flower and I am so excited and scared about having my own place. I did get the studio with three other people with disabilites. I am a little scared to be by myself in the studio, but I think Joe or Mellowdy or Angel will probably be there soon.

Painting helps me bring out my thoughts and feelings and I feel so alive and "normal" when I paint. I am just like everyone else. Painting brings out what I think about life. I am now selling paintings to other people and it makes me so happy. I am in this studio with lots and lots of artists. I am an artist!!

Helping my Mom find a career

My Mom worked with my Dad for many years, but after awhile she decided to work with kids with special needs in elementary school. She helps kids learn to read and my Mom still helps me with reading. I taught her everything she knows because I wanted her to teach kids with disabilities everything. Even though I have a disability I want to learn as much as I can, just like everyone else. My Mom learned that lesson from me and she is teaching everything to other kids. My Mom also got hired at a University to teach teachers how to teach kids like me. I want those teachers to teach that even though we learn differently we want to learn just like everyone else.

Sarah talks about growing up with Allicia...

My name is Sarah and I am Allicia's younger sister. I have

Allicia talks about her dog..................

I have a dog named Chance Snoopy. I take care of him, I pay for his food and vet bills, and he sleeps with me every night. I got Chance because I know I can never take care of my own kids and I don't think I should have any. I wanted to take care of something and Chance came into my life. He was rescued as a puppy and I got him from my Mom's cousin in Indiana. They rescued Chance and I went out to take him home. He loves me and he does whatever I ask even when I want to go to bed early and he is playing with our other dog Tucker. Chance will go to bed with me and he protects me.

Here I am with my roommate Hillary(left) and her cat Cinnamon and my dog Chance.

In the beginning........

This is the beginning of our blog as family and friends of Allicia. Allicia was diagnosed with a disability at 11 months old. She has gone through many challenges and changes. We sought a label for many years. Doctors thought she had suffered from a reaction to medicine. We really think that is true and it created her to have autism. Allicia also has dyslexia and cannot read and write. We thought bringing her life to a blog site would help her family and friends as well as Allicia to process her life changes and connect with others like herself.

As the blog is developed it is our aim to share what Allicia is facing and questions she has.

Three years ago Allicia decided to have a rommate. Her roommate has a disability as well and they face many challenges trying to find jobs, having relationships and learning to be independent.