Two more days of October, the glorious month that holds not only all the fall festivities but the celebration and recognition of how people with Down syndrome are positively impacting those around them, and I saved the best for last. As we progress toward a culture of more acceptance and opportunity, for many families of individuals with Down syndrome, the greatest challenge is still finding opportunities for meaningful employment. Like everyone else, people with Down syndrome want to contribute their voice, talents and time to a job where their work can make a difference, and everything we do to advocate for Nella and support her now keeps that in mind. Hearing about the ways more colleges are developing programs for people with intellectual disabilities and how those programs are expanding opportunities is incredibly hopeful, but of course, we need more. I applaud companies that look for ways they can employ people with special needs and realized I can be one of those people right now. I’ve been blogging for over ten years now and am thankful for the ways our work world has stretched to include so many new creative opportunities for people to support their families and make a living doing things they love. From blog writing and sharing on social media to writing a book and working on partnerships with brands I love, I’ve learned so much and continue to look forward to new experiences. So, new experience–I’ve hired my first intern, Kirsta Graff, and she happens to have Down syndrome. Late in the summer, I shared a little bit about the privilege of joining Ruby’s Rainbow and Kirsta’s family as they dropped her off to college at Bethel University (she’s a Ruby’s Rainbow scholarship recipient) and realized what an incredible perspective she has right now–something I know readers would love to hear. So, I’ll be assigning Kirsta some writing assignments with accompanying photography and will be working with her internship director and student mentor at Bethel to help her learn more about writing, photography, social media and sharing her story in an engaging way. We FaceTime once a week to go over assignments and progress and talk about what she’s working on. And I’m paying her for her valuable contribution to the blog. As I told Kirsta, “My job requires me to find interesting, meaningful content, and your experience there and ability to share that experience is exactly what makes blog content good.” I’m so thrilled to have her as an intern and excited to learn from her.
Want more of this? More paid opportunities for people with special needs to offer their voice? Support Kirsta in the comments and let us know this is something of value to you. And what more do you want to hear from her? Topics you’d love to learn about through her? Tell us! Correspondent reporting for duty from St. Paul, Minnesota!
Kirsta’s first assignment answers some of my own questions about her first weeks in college and what that looks like.
1. You started college in the beginning of September. What has been the most challenging thing so far for you and how are you overcoming that challenge?
A challenging thing is I miss my family. When I wake up in the morning, I think to myself “Take it one day at a time”. This week I know that Thursday night is just around the corner which is fall break. Bethel said no sleeping at home until fall break, so I am really excited to get to sleep in my own bed. I need a nap! At home I would go to bed early, but at school I am staying up until later because there are lots of new experiences. Before I came to school I cried sometimes because I was worried, but I didn’t know why. I’m not normally a cryer. Now that I am here at school, it’s more familiar. If I start to feel jittery or teary, I like to hang out with my friends who make me feel happy. Today I ate lunch with two of my friends from church, and they made me laugh a lot. People are very important to me. I also know that it’s normal to feel homesick at the beginning of new things.
This is a photo of me listening to Brave by Sara Bareilles. I was listening to this song when my mom dropped me off at school because I knew I needed to be brave.
My cousins came to visit me at school because they knew I missed home. This made me cry happy tears because I love them!
2. What has been your favorite moment since you started college?
Homecoming has been my favorite moment for sure. My housing mentor Christina got me and my friends ready in her room. Christina did my hair, and you can even still tell my hair is straightened because she straightened my hair. I did not wear makeup. Makeup is not my thing, it kind of makes me gag.
This is me with my neighbor Nate at homecoming. We had so much fun taking pictures.
3. Can you take us through a typical day at school and give us a day-in-the-life of Kirsta?
7:00am I wake up and get ready for breakfast. I eat breakfast in the dining center with my friend Olivia. This is not easy to wake up so early.
8:00am I have my first class of the day. This class is Independent Living Skills. In Independent Living Skills, we do projects that help us learn about the people around us. One of my projects was listening and writing down positive things people said, and negative things people said. This is my favorite class because it’s about living on my own, but I still love my parents!
10:00am I got to Chapel in Benson Great Hall. I like Chapel because we get to worship God and listen to Pastor Laurel preach. She is really funny and energetic.
11:10am I have Health and Fitness Class. This is at the Wellness Center, and it is where we learn to stay hydrated and fit. My trainer’s name is Tyler, and he is a Packers fan just like me! But I’m not a fan of fitness.
12:00pm I go to the dining center and eat lunch. This is where I see a lot of friends. Sometimes I take pictures of my lunch if it is salad and send to my mom and say “See, I’m eating healthy.” If it is pizza, I don’t take a picture.
12:50pm I have Math and Finances Class. My teacher’s name is Jenn and she teaches us how to add, subtract, and divide money. I do not like math.
2:00-4:30pm I have my on campus internship. My job mentor Kelly helps me give tours to visitors at Bethel. We also work on my writing for Kelle together!
5:00pm I go to dinner in the dining center with my friends.
7:00pm- I go to Shack in my dorm Nelson. Shack is a place we can go and hang out. It is also where we meet to go bowling for the Special Olympics on Tuesdays! We have stuff to do every night.
4. What do you hope this college experience at Bethel will do for you? How do you see it helping you with the next steps to your future?
Bethel is helping me to get experiences working. One job I get to do is being the basketball manager. Another job I get to do is writing this blog for Kelle! This is exciting because one day I could write my own blog and keep sharing my sparkle with others! I love Bethel! It helps me make connections and live on my own.
This is Bethel University’s front desk where I work on campus. I get to greet people with my happy smile.
5. Every college student finds great resources to help them succeed at school. This can be anything from an agenda to help keep due dates organized to tutoring services. What are some of the resources there that are helping you succeed?
I am always wondering “Is it 7 o’clock yet?” because that’s when I have to check in with my housing mentor. I do that with my iPad or phone. I got an iPpad when I came to school and I knew it’d be a part of my life, and it is! If we want to go off campus, we have to go with an approved person and fill out the form I finally got that down. We have to FaceTime our housing mentor when we go and come back.
This is our signout form that we use to go off campus with our friends.
We also use Group Me app for communicating. Our iPad also has my Google calendar on it. All of my classes and activities are put into my Google calendar so I look at it too many times a day to count! I also have many mentors at Bethel who help me to be independent. I have a housing mentor to help me keep my room clean and to be more social. I have a job mentor too. So all these things are tips to help.
*******
Kirsta, we couldn’t be more thrilled to get an up close look at what your college experience looks like and we look forward to hearing more about what you are learning soon.
Haha! “It’s its pizza, I don’t send a picture!” That’s funny!
I loved reading this post! Sounds like you are having fun at college, Kirsta! You ARE brave, and it is normal to be homesick.
Can’t wait to read your next post! Love your pictures, too! xo
Just felt the need to say that I also wouldn’t send a picture of my lunch to my mom, if it was pizza. Way to go, Kirsta! Keep up the amazing work at college. 🙂
Way to go, Krista! I loved hearing about your day. I hope you had a good fall break and you were able to refresh! What kind of things do you do on the weekend when you don’t have classes?
By the way, Kirsta – I started following you on Instagram too when Kelle announced that you were her intern. My IG name is missy_nations if you want to follow back and we can be IG friends! 🙂
Keep letting your sparkle shine krista – loved the post, and please keep them coming!
Wow, Kirsta! What a busy day you have! I loved reading about it and learning about your program and how it works. I look forward to more of your posts! You are doing so many hard things and are doing them the best that you can – that’s the secret to being an adult! I am so proud of you, and thank you for sharing! Hope you enjoyed fall break!
Your sense of humor is the cutest & I love that you are going to contribute regularly to one of my favorite blogs! I’m excited to watch your journey all the way from Idaho where I live and I’m cheering you on! You are brave & strong & exactly what our world needs.
Kirsta! Your picture with your cousins made me cry happy tears too! Being homesick is such a normal feeling! I hope you get to take a GREAT nap over fall break!
This made me cry happy tears.
What a great interview! I really enjoy seeing a glimpse into your college experience and am rooting you on!
I love this! Go Kirsta!
Thank you so much for sharing, Kirsta! I was really homesick when I started University too, but then, like you, I realised that it’s normal, and I found that it got easier the more I got used to things.
It was so interesting to hear about what you’re doing and what an average day looks like for you at college.
I hope you have a wonderful fall break and enjoy lots of great sleep in your own bed at home!
Hi Kirsta! I loved hearing about your day – it sounds very organized and like so much fun. I, too, would only send pictures of salads! Enjoy your time at home for fall break. I look forward to hearing from you again.
What a fantastic program you get to be a part of! Such an exciting time in your life… and all your feelings, totally normal! Love this!
The perspective you give is really awesome. I’m also in college and experience a lot of the same feelings. In freshman year, I used to get homesick a lot, but the longer you’re there, the easier it gets. I can’t wait to read what’s next for you!
This was a great read- funny and really honest! I love how Krista kept it real about the triumphs and struggles of college life. I can’t wait to hear more from her!
Way to go Krista! You are an inspiration to so many! Keep doing what you are doing- it sounds like you are rocking college!!
Thanks for this post, Kelle and Kirsta! It had me laughing and smiling the whole time I was reading it. Kirsta, your sparkle definitely shines through in your writing, and I love that you want to continue sharing it! Thank you.
I was thinking a future post that talks a little about St. Paul, or Minnesota in general, would be fun for us readers that live far away (New England for me!) and have not yet had a chance to visit that part of the country.
Krista, I can’t wait to hear more. What an exciting time in your life! Keep being brave and paving the way.
Krista, you are rocking college! I love that you’re homesick. Most kids / adults are. I cried like a baby when my parents dropped me off at college. I loved my college experience but I also loved my family and my home! You are so strong and so courageous and so wonderful. You inspire me so much! ????????????
Thank you for sharing your experience, Kirsta! You are an inspiration to many young people who are also excited to go to college. Thank you for using your voice and experience to inspire others!
Bravo Kirsta! Keep sharing your sparkle and your writing!
Loved reading about your bravery!
Krista, thank you for sharing so much of your experiences at college. My daughter also has Down Syndrome and I have often wondered what it would be like for her to go to college. All though SHE doesn’t want to go, I know there are lots and lots of things she can do by reading of what you are doing. Way to go!!!!!!
Hi Krista! I love reading about your day!! Can’t wait until your next blog. Loved seeing your pretty smile!
I’m so proud of you, Krista! It’s not easy being a student and doing an internship – you are strong! Enjoy your fall break. And I can’t wait to hear more from you!
Thank you for this interview, Kirsta! Can’t wait to read more on your successes in college. And thank you, Kelle, for providing Kirsta with this opportunity. Both having daughters with Down syndrome, I couldn’t be happier to think of their futures and just how filled with connections their lives will be.
Wow! Krista you are so awesome! I really like reading about your experiences from your point of view. What are your goals while at Bethel University?
Love this post! Looking forward to seeing more content from you, Krista!!
Yea! I’m excited to read Kirsta’s story along with yours Kelle!
Krista,
This is a wonderful post! I have a few questions, we are sending our twin girls off to college in the next year or so. What do I need to know to get them ready? What are some good packing list ideas and what don’t we need to take along? What is the most fun thing that you either took along or should have taken from home to be less homesick? What are some good ideas for care package items? Any direction will be helpful, I’m preparing myself already to have two gone from home at the same time.
I loved reading about college from your perspective Krista! Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to read your next post.
Hi Krista. It sounds like you have a very busy and full schedule at school. I also don’t like getting up at 7:00 am!!!). So glad to hear that you’re enjoying college. You write beautifully and I believe you could have a career as a comedian – you are very funny!
Love, love, love this and looking forward to the entire series. I wish my own college experience had looked a little more like this!
What a great blog post! This was so honest, funny and inspiring. I can’t wait to read more from you Krista!
I loved the pizza comment! 🙂
I love this new blog feature too! My questions for future posts would be:
-How did you decide on going to Bethel?
-What advice do you have for next year’s freshmen?
-What do you wish you had brought from home and what did you bring that you ended up not needing/using?
-Do you get to pick elective classes?
-And then I’m just generally curious about St. Paul, so any info about the area would be cool!
Thanks, Kelle and Krista! You both rock!!
Love that Kirsta gets to have this experience with you! I love your sense of humor, Kirsta, and can’t wait to see your writing grow! Loved this line especially: “Sometimes I take pictures of my lunch if it is salad and send to my mom and say “See, I’m eating healthy.” If it is pizza, I don’t take a picture.” So funny and exactly something I would do! I’d love to hear more about your feelings about being away from home, what you like to do for fun in your downtime, and if you have any bedtime routines! Thanks for sharing!
So excited to read about your life at Bethel! I went to Bethel as a freshman a LONG time ago! I was just there this weekend to see my niece in a play (she’s a senior) and I looked for you! I’ll be there again in a few weeks so I’ll keep my eyes out for you again! I’m looking forward to see how you rock Bethel life! Keep it up!
A terrific article Kirsta!
It’s so exciting to hear all the wonderful and new things you are doing and experiencing.
Enjoy your fall break with your family and keeping in your own bed.
Hi Kirsta! That’s awesome that you’re going to college! What a memorable experience I know that you’re going to have at Bethel University. I have a 3 yr old son that has DS and I hope he gets to attend college one day just like you! What are some things that we can be doing to help him achieve that goal?
You doing a fabulous job Krista! College is hard and took me 5 years to complete 🙂 I’m a graphic designer now for a yearbook company. Keep up the great work and enjoy it all! And keep smiling! -Topeka, Kansas
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Krista,
I loved this post! I was homesick at school too- and I was only 15 minutes away from my house! Sounds like you are having some amazing experiences!
This is incredible! Thank you for sharing Kirsta’s story (well – even better – thank you for allowing KIRSTA to share her own story!).
I love hearing about your day Kirsta. I knew you’d be doing great. Keep up the hard work and remember to sparkle every day.
Love you.
Yay for Fall Break! And I agree that getting up and ready for an 8 am class is so hard. Congratulations on your internship and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Recently, my family visited our local aquarium and noticed how several staff members had special needs. Later, I sent the aquarium and email thanking them for hiring people with different abilities. While it took little time on my part, I think it is important to let business know that we appreciate and support that decision.
Thank you for posting this! I can’t wait to read more.
I love this so much! As someone who never had the experience of college life I’m loving having an inside view of what it’s like. I absolutely loved seeing the instastories of your first day arriving and it’s wonderful hearing a followup to how you are going. You write wonderfully Krista. Keep it up!
Well done Kirsta, what a lovely post! This morning I said goodbye to my mom (who lives in England) after an all-too-short 2-week visit. So your discussion on homesickness had me blinking away tears. But then your sparkle got me smiling real big again! Please keep us updated on your college experience.
I love this!! I laughed and smiled with each of her responses! Way to go Kirsta! Keep up the great work!
Great job Krista! You are quite the blogger. Kelle might have to watch out! Sounds like school is going great. It makes me wish I were back in College because you make it sound like so much fun! Enjoy your year and enjoy your break and sleeping in!
Krista is awesome! I followed your entire story line when you were dropping her off. When her and her mom were crying I felt so bad because I struggle with change and I’m not sure I could have stayed away at college. But Krista seems to be adjusting well! And my favorite part was when she said “Take one day at time” – she is an inspiration!! Thank you for sharing Krista!
Hi Krista
I live in New Zealand on the far side of the world and I have followed your story about starting college so you can say you are world famous. It is great that you are at college and working on your writing and being independent. Go Krista!!
I love “Day in the Life” posts! My favourite parts: Make-up makes me gag; Not sending your mom pics of the pizza; and hearing about the ways your community is embracing you. Sounds like the perfect mix of challenge and fun! Keep writing!
Thank you for sharing with us Krista I look forward to reading more about your college experiences! Have lots of fun!
Kirsta, it was so fun reading about your experiences at Bethel. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Great post Krista and Kelle.
I really enjoyed reading about your college life. It brought back memories of my own time at school away from my family. Keep up the great work!
I’m so looking forward to hearing more about your life. I’m 33 but admire you so. You make me miss college and wish I sparkled like you are. I love your sparkly heart and would love to hear more about the simple things in your life that help you sparkle. Best of everything, girl! You are amazing and I’m so excited for you ???? happy fall ????????????
I love the part “I get to share my sparkle with other” Krista keep up to great work and enjoy every minute of college!
Hi Kirsta,
Loved reading about your life at Bethal. So different from university here in Australia.
For me and my friends we lived at home with our parents and uni was only a twenty minute drive away. It’s so awesome that you are learning how to be independent!
I love to go travelling, do you have plans to visit new places?
If you could pick anywhere in the world, where would you go? Who would you take with you?
My favourite place is Scotland.
Look forward to more posts from you soon.
Lauren 🙂
Can’t wait for you next post! You got this girl????????????
What a fantastic addition to the blog! Looking forward to hearing more from Krista!!
Great article Krista, I am looking forward to reading more about your experience at college.
I too am a packer fan living in Minnesota, we are a brave few!!! Go pack go!!
Krista, We are so proud of you and feel like we are on this journey with you! Please keep writing and keeping us updated on your life in college. It is a joy to read your words.
Thanks Kelle for adding Krista’s voice to your blog.
Loved reading this post! Krista does have a unique perspective and she’s funny – totally relate to this comment about sending food pics to her mom: “See, I’m eating healthy.” If it is pizza, I don’t take a picture.” I definitely do this too! Keep sharing. Would love to meet some of her friends, get a tour of Bethel!
Hi Krista~
Loved hearing about your time at Bethel. Sounds like it is a great program and it’s exciting to get to “tag along” through this interview. I’d love to hear more from you. What do you and your friends do when you’re not working on school stuff? Go to coffee shops, library, hang out? Great interview!
Great post ! I am excited for more to come!
Krista, I loved the quick view of a day in your life at college. Those are some of my favorite blog posts to read! I cannot wait to read more of your posts.
I was smiling ear to ear the whole time I read Kirsta’s interview! Can’t wait to follow along on her experience. You rock Kirsta and looked really beautiful at homecoming!! And sometimes make up makes me gag too ????
Krista – Your sparkle certainly shines through this blog!! Thank you for sharing your story with us! Cannot wait to read more!
Hi, Krista –
Reading from Canada! It was great to hear about your day at college. I’m happy to hear there are so many mentors helping you along – everybody needs good people around them. As a Mom, I know your Mom is happy to get those messages – and some pictures. ???? I know your parents are adjusting a lot too and they miss you so, so much. I’d love to see a picture of your room if you’d like to share. Have an awesome break at home with your family!
This brought a sparkle to my day. Omg. So pure. So honest. I love it
I don’t like math either, Kirsta! It was very hard for me in college but I had a lot of people help me with it and I made it through. Sounds like you have a lot of great people helping you, and that you get to help others, too! I missed my family a lot when I was away at college, too. One day at time is the right motto!
Love your blog post, Kirsta! I always miss my family when I’m away from them too! Thank you for sharing your story with us! Hope to hear from you more!
You’re doing such a great job! Keep it up and take it, “one day at a time”! ????
I enjoyed reading about Kirsta’s college experience so far. This will be part of the blog I look forward to seeing.
I hear you sister …. I loathe getting up early, looooove my bed so much and being at home, and also find fitness a chore, but I know it’s necessary. I found swimming to be the best because you feel free and it’s also a little bit luxurious to be in water! So that’s my tip for you to maybe think about. Great post ????
First time commenting after reading for five years… LOVE this!!!!
Hi Kirsta!! Reading your interview reminded me of when I started college. In the beginning, there are a lot of new experiences, new people, we miss home, but before I knew it, I was completely settled in. I’m excited to read about your journey and your contribution to the blog! Keep up the great work!
Camila
Kirsta, congratulations on you new job! And, you have such a great sense of humor! Love this post so much!
Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences. I love your honesty and your comedy! And your sparkle!!!
Sincerely, your neighbor from Wisconsin!
I love everything about this post!! “If it’s pizza I don’t send a picture” Bwahaha this totally made me laugh out loud. Krista you’re fantastic and can’t wait to hear more from you!
Kirsta-
You are a wonderful writer! So truthful and funny, too! I wouldn’t send my mom a picture of pizza either! Mornings are hard, I totally related to that part. I can’t wait to read more about your experiences at Bethel! How is dorm life going for you? Have you listened to any new music you really love since going to college?
Thanks for sharing with us!
This is gold! Thank you for sharing Kirsta!
It was an honor to read your story and get a look into your college life. You should be so proud of yourself. Going off to college is a huge achievement for anyone!
I also have a be brave song. It’s Caleb and Kelsey’s cover if You Make Me Brave and Oceans it’s on youtube. Can’t wait for your next writing assignment.
Sounds like typical college feelings we all had when we started our freshmen year … keep up your hard work … those 8:00 AM classes were the toughest … so proud of you!
Thanks for your day in the life Krista! Cannot wait to hear more from you.
Hope you enjoy the nap in your own bed.
I cannot wait for the next post from Krista! Loved this so much!
What an incredible post. Kirsta, I loved your take on college. You described it so well and I loved imagining it. The first bit you wrote about being homesick and how you got through that was incredible. You must be super proud to be doing something so cool, and your family must be so proud of you!
Kelle, what an awesome intern! can’t wait to see Nella (and Lainey and Dash!) doing amazing things like this when they are older xxx
Kirsta, you are such an inspiration! I would love to be welcomed at the front desk by someone as smiley and friendly as you. Keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re rocking it! XXX
Very well-written Krista! I love your honest and humorous commentary. Thanks for sharing – I look forward to hearing more from you. College is full of hopes and fears – embrace them all, how you handle each one will shape your life in an amazing way. Keep up the good work and stay BRAVE!
Just popping in to say hello from australia! Loved reading your experience x
I love reading your blog Krista. Cant wait for more. Sounds like you are doing well and are so Brave.
Kirsta, you have such a great sense of humor! I snorted coffee at “if it’s pizza, I don’t send a picture!” ????
Keep sparkling! LOVED your first post!!
Krista- You rock girl! I read this post the first thing in the morning and I could not have started my day out any better. You are a brave force and your words made me smile and laugh. You are going to learn so much through Kelle and I can’t wait to follow your blog someday. While you are learning from others, you have a lot to teach others yourself. Go get em’!
You’re so brave, Kirsta! When I first started college I went home too much on the weekends but then I learned that it’s better to stay at college. Good job learning that quickly! Thank you for sharing your sparkle with us.
Hi Krista!
Thanks for the awesome post – I love getting an inside peek at your college experience. I went to college right outside of Washington DC and one of my favorite things to do on the weekends was to go off campus and explore the city. I saw you have a sign out form for going off campus, when you do where do you go? How is St.Paul? Id love to hear about our non-class time. Keep up the great work and making great memories at college!
Thank you for sharing Krista! I love the picture of you with your cousins. You are rockin’ this college thing. I love hearing about your day to day schedule and how you are overcoming your fears. This post was interesting, with a splash of humor which kept me engaged and curious about what you would say next. I’d like to see and hear more about the Shack, maybe you could share some pictures out with your friends. Looking forward to what’s next for you!
I’m having a hard day (adults get homesick too!) and your sparkle really made me smile! I’m glad to have you sharing your experiences with us. When I first went away to college I found that after the first trip home I was actually less homesick than before, so I hope you’ll let us know how fall break goes and how you feel once you get back.
Kirsta – you sound just like most college students I know, only you are more funny! I would love to know what you think you might want to do after Bethel?
Kirsta- you fill Bethel with so much joy! So glad I get to see your smiling face around campus 🙂
Wow! I couldn’t stop reading, even when one of my favorite shows started on TV. I loved what you had to write and say. I am excited to read more written by you. I believe you will go far in the writing industry.
I enjoyed reading your interview, Krista! I love the picture of you at the desk of your university. You are so mature to skip the makeup! What a great beginning of university for you. You ARE brave and a great contributor at Bethel!
I loved this post, and I loved ‘meeting’ Kirsta. I feel like I have to say, I don’t really like the internet most days. I wish I lived in the ‘old days’ without it. But THIS is what I love about the internet. I love that there is a platform for Kirsta to share her story. I love to hear of all the mentors helping Kirsta throughout her school experience. I don’t even want to think about people who were never given these opportunities, but I feel like this amazing platform is going to keep providing more and more opportunities for people of all skill sets and abilities. I love that you’ve given Kirsta a voice here on your blog and I’m excited to read more from both of you! Thank you!
I guess I was trying to say it hurts too bad to think of people who happened to have DS or other conditions who were never given these opportunities to have a voice. Not sure if that came across.
I absolutely loved this! She has a happy smile indeed, what a great way to welcome people into the building. Good job Kirsta! Keep up the great work.
What a wonderful blog post!!! You are an amazing person and you are making the world a better place!!!! You can be very proud of your accomplishments!!!! Your schedule and college life sound like a great adventure. And learning to live away from family is hard at first. (I’m 51 years old and still get homesick too). But you are already successful in overcoming that challenge!!! I am so inspired by you, you are a talented writer…..keep on writing!!!! I look forward to reading future blog posts!!!
What an amazing post! You certainly are busy! I also wouldn’t send a photo to my Mum if I was eating pizza lol 🙂
Cannot wait to hear more about your college experience x
Krista,
Love this! You are a great blogger. Looking forward to many more posts about your time at Bethel. I went there when your mom and dad did and it is a very special place.
Happy Blogging!
By the way…your mom ate lots of pizza in college!
I love hearing from Krista! I can’t wait to read her next post!
XOXO,
Angie
I love this soooooo much! College is such an exciting time in your life and I’m so happy that you’re sharing glimpses of your days with us. Keep ‘em coming Kirsta!
Loved reading this! For future topics, is Krista far from home? Or from a bigger city or smaller town. A post about what she likes most about the differences (not even nessarily college centered, but climate (Is it much colder in St Paul from where she grew up), what are some different activities or traditions in her new city of St Paul that she’s trying out, what’s it like meeting people from other parts of the country or world?) Another would be advice about time management, how she coping having more freedom, what advice does she have for other freshman?
It would also be fun to see an interview similar to the one above a few months into her second semester to see how it’s going.
Krista , (this would be for you privately, not for publishing ) have you seen those 5 year continuous journals before? You answer a simple question every day for 5 years. Now that you’re in college, it would be especially interesting to look back after you’ve graduated and see your answers. Experiencing so many new things is fun, sometimes nerve wracking but challenging in good ways….and it’s easy to forget some of it. I wish I had done more journaling back then ????.
https://www.amazon.com/Day-5-Year-Journal-Potter-Style/dp/0307719774
As the mother of a toddler with Down syndrome, as well as being a special educator, I really appreciate this inside look at college life for an individual with Down syndrome! It gives me a lot of hope. Keep up the amazing work!! You’re seriously busier than I ever was in college!
Hi Kirsta,
I am a Professor of Special Education at Point Loma Nazarene University, a small, Christian college in San Diego. I have been trying to develop a program like BUILD here, as currently there aren’t any college options for students with intellectual disabilities in this city. One of my most earnest prayers is that a college in San Diego would open their hearts to this idea ❤️
So, my question for you, Kirsta is this… I would be interested to hear what you would say if you were sitting down in a meeting with the President of a college, and other faculty and staff members, and asked why programs like BUILD need to be available for college students with special needs?
Thank you for your time!
I love your story! You have no idea how beneficial you are to the world and to the cause of inclusion!
#InclusionMatters
I consider you a friend 🙂
Dr. Denise Necoechea
DeniseNecoechea@pointloma.edu