At the age of
51, Sherri Daniel never dreamed she would be a prime candidate for employment,
living on her own and engaged to be married. But she now shares her success
with others as a means of encouragement.
“Before I knew
of the services that were provided by the Scioto County Board of DD
(Developmental Disabilities) and STAR, I was living in a nursing home,” said
Daniele. “I knew I didn’t want to live in a nursing home for the rest of my
life, but just didn’t know what to do.”
Daniel, who is
diagnosed with achondroplasia dwarfism, a skeletal disorder that affects the normal
development of cartilage, which leads to abnormal skeletal growth and
formation, has been confined to a wheelchair for the last 11 years.
“I have never let my disability define me. I have always looked ahead
at my possibilities. But it wasn’t until I found supports (at SCBDD) that I
found that I could excel,” she said.
Daniel now
participates in volunteer activities with the !MPACT team; serves as
secretary/treasurer for People First of Ohio in which she was recently
president; serves as an instructor for Project STIR and recently became engaged
to be married.
“I now embrace
the challenges of life and help others to see that they too can be
self-advocates and reach their goals,” Daniel said. “The services I have
received here (SCBDD and STAR) have made me realize that I can do anything I
put my mind to.”
Daniel actively
teaches others with developmental disabilities to be self-advocates and shares
with them the various ways in which they can obtain education, services and
enhance the way they live.
“I teach them to
speak up for themselves and to realize that they too can live the life they
want, simply by stepping forward and saying it out loud,” she said.
Through training
and encouragement from the Community Employment program, Daniel has recently
been called for several employment opportunities at local businesses.
“I’m really
excited! This is something I had thought about but didn’t think I would ever
do. And now, I have several opportunities waiting on me,” Daniel explained. “I
feel like I’m popular.”
“Having the
services provided to me at STAR and the Scioto County Board of DD, I have
expanded my life. I have met new people, made friends and gained experiences
that have helped me gain the confidence I needed to reach my goals. The programs
offered here and the people who work here are far beyond anything I ever
thought possible. I love being a part of this family,” she said.