Dear Readers,
I have greatly enjoyed sharing my experiences and highlighting issues surrounding transition and young adulthood with you. After a lot of thoughtful consideration, I have decided to close this notebook and pursue other interests. Thank you for walking along with me as I shared a bit of my journey these past few years. I hope I have provided some insight and information to assist you, your colleagues, or loved ones in the future. It has been a sincere pleasure sharing a bit of my life with each of you—I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Adria Nassim, Research Assistant, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
A Big Thank You
The Center on Community Living and Careers at Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University in Bloomington appreciate that Adria has contributed over 50 personal blog posts over these past six years. You can find an archive of these posts in the right margin. Below, we highlight a few of the thoughts Adria has shared with us about individuals with disabilities and their families.
Employment and Disclosure
Adria explains her decision to disclose her hidden disabilities. She shares that one of her biggest challenges when she began looking for work was learning age-appropriate social skills, both in a peer and an employment setting and then practicing them in real-world situations. 
Here are a few posts related to employment.
Preparing Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities for Employment — May 26, 2023
Why I Said Yes to Disclosure — May 31, 2022
The Disclosure Discussion — Dec. 18, 2020
Building Connections for Meaningful Work — Oct. 6, 2020
Independent Living
Throughout her posts on learning independence and moving toward independent living, Adria emphasized the necessity of learning self-advocacy skills, self-acceptance, using a team approach, staying safe, and individualized supports.
Here are a few posts related to independent living.
The Dignity and Importance of Risk in Planning for Independence —March 23, 2023
Lessons from 15 Years of Independent Living — Feb. 7, 2023
Independence with Supports: A Day in the Life — April 28, 2021
Waking Up to a Brave New World — Feb. 13, 2018
Service Animals
Throughout her blogging years, Adria tells of her love of dogs, particularly her two service dogs, Lucy and Thomas. She explains the process for acquiring a service dog and all the responsibilities that go with having support from a service animal.
Here are a few posts that describe her experiences with service dogs.
What it’s Like to Care for a Service Dog —Nov. 18, 2022
Happy Birthday, Thomas! —June 14, 2022
Welcome, Thomas! —Jan. 4, 2022
Happy International Assistance Dog Week —Aug. 4, 2020
Support Staff and Care Providers
Adria promotes the idea that independent living does not mean doing everything on one’s own. She discusses the need for her own support staff and how she chooses staff to support her in her home and about town.
Here are a few posts related to support staff.
I Am My Own HR Department — Sep. 30, 2021
With a Little Help from My Friends — Feb. 17, 2021
Drawing the Line: Who’s a Provider and Who’s a Friend? — Jan. 19, 2021
Making Dinner: The Collaborative Approach to Cooking with a Disability — Oct. 20, 2020
Developing Strengths and Relationships
Adria has developed many relationships through employment and through her public speaking about disability issues. She advocates for all individuals with disabilities to develop their interests and relationships that may lead to a more fulfilling life.
Here are a few posts that promote relationship development.
Helping Kids with Disabilities Find Their Passion — May 28, 2021
Ed Sheeran, Hot Sauce, and Dogs: Getting to Know Me — March 23, 2021
Promoting Literacy Among Teens and Young Adults — May 19, 2020
Adria’s blogs touch on many other important topics as well. To read more, browse the archives at the right.
Once again, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Adria for sharing her experiences and offering suggestions for friends and families to help their loved ones who have disabilities.