Author: Jessica Grono

Employment in the disability world is a hot topic these days.  Currently, the unemployment rate is low because there are more jobs available. But for someone with a disability, finding gainful employment is a struggle. Too often employers look at a potential employee with a disability in a negative way. No matter how educated a person is, how much experience one has or ability – the focus of the employer is on the disability. I’m here to tell you that if you want something badly enough, never quit trying.  I have my certification in education and a bachelors of science.…

What is a bully? Can you ever imagine that you’re child could be a bully? Did you ever bully anyone? People with disabilities have a significant more higher rate at being bullied than those who do not have disabilities. Bullies are individuals who choose someone weaker or different to treat badly. A person with a disability is an unfortunate easy target because their differences is easily seen. I remember clearly my experiences being bullied.  Both happened during my school days, and it was a very complicated time. The topic of bullying wasn’t as prevalent as it is currently. Bullying was…

College brings forth all kinds of emotions. Excitement, fear, and anxiety are normal feelings for any person entering college. Students with disabilities are gaining access to higher education more than other years. Accessibility laws have greatly helped, but some students require more than just access to be successful. Some need attendant care services. Going to college is a must for many people with disabilities.  Manual labor isn’t possible for people with significant disabilities.  During high school, I knew I wanted to attend college. I researched colleges that had the most disability services.  I wanted to live as independent as I possible. …

The lumpectomy didn’t clear my scans of cancer. I really thought that the cancer would be gone after my lumpectomy.  After my attendant left, I took my iPad to accomplish work as my son took his nap.  I just started to write when my phone rang. The doctor on the other end didn’t sound so happy. There was discovery of more breast cancer cells. My oncologist explained to me that when they went in for the lumpectomy, they tried to get everything, but cancer remained.  The discovery of any cancer is scary, but especially when you thought it was all gone.  I felt…

When your daughter turns 12, something happens to a mother’s heart.  I remember the day she entered into the world- so tiny but yet powerful.  Although she grew, her powerful spirit just brightens each year. Our family tradition has been to open one gift in the morning.  This year I gave her a Twelve is Fabulous shirt.   I always wanted a daughter, but I never knew what it all meant.  We have fun, we help each other, and can be ourselves. Do we always see eye to eye? No.  But I have the utmost respect for her opinions as…

After learning that I had breast cancer in my left breast,  I needed to have a lumpectomy.  Shock is an understatement when I learned that I had cancer but now I needed another surgery.  My oncologist  felt confident that this would take care of the cancer, and I would need to take tamoxifen to prevent it returning. As much as I didn’t want to undergo another procedure, I wanted this saga to end.  I scheduled the procedure for the week before my son’s third birthday. Having breast cancer felt incredibly strange to me.  When I looked in the mirror, I…

The day of my biopsy had arrived! Believe it or not, I felt excited to get it over and done. At this point, I’ve had many mammograms, ultrasounds, and analysis from several doctors that it was time to get answers instead of guesses.  My husband and my mom took me to the hospital.  I’m glad that they could both make it because they have different expertise to assist me.  I couldn’t drink or eat anything past midnight. That sounds simple enough, but I tend to become sick when I don’t eat on time.  I would be okay though and handle…

I remember clearly September 11, 2001 as if it were yesterday.  I lived at my dad’s house and already graduated college.  My office was down the hall from my bedroom, and I had Good Morning America on as I worked. I watched the plane crashing into the World Trade Center, I felt disbelief and horrified! September 11 forever etched in my memory. My dad worked downstairs in the living room. I called downstairs, “Dad, come quickly! A plane just hit the World Trade Center!!” He thought I was joking or it was a movie. My dad came upstairs, and we both…

The holiday season is meant for family, decorating, buying gifts and being happy. However, the year my mammogram came back abnormal felt completely different. I needed to go to an oncology appointment.  We ate Thanksgiving dinner at our house, and it was nice to feel the support from my family. I decided not to tell many people simply because I didn’t want everyone to worry. This meant especially my nine year old daughter didn’t need any worries. We are close, and she knows that sometimes people who have cancer don’t always survive.  My philosophy was to tell her when I…

While sitting at my annual physical appointment, my doctor said, “Oh, and you are due for your annual mammogram!” I cringed because no woman, that I know of, likes getting a mammogram. But, I wanted to stay healthy and would definitely regret having breast cancer that was too far along to do anything to get rid of it. My husband and children especially need me around for longer than that! I took my script home, and later on during the week, called to schedule my mammogram appointment.  My previous one occured about six months after I had my son. Everything…