Independence

My insomnia counselor wants me to spend some time thinking and writing about independence, since it is a value that is important to me.  Probably the most important. 

Independence is why I have been working on getting a service dog for someone else:  http://www.gofundme.com/Servicedog4jadzia – she also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ServiceDog4Jadzia

I have always tried to keep a certain level of financial independence.   I worked in high school, and had very high paying jobs.  I put myself through college, through scholarships and working in the summer for Kelly Girl (yes back in the day), and did exceptionally well financially.

Every course I took in high school, especially electives were aimed at getting financial independence, and my major was picked partly for that reason.  Plus I really like computers.

I continue to keep my skills honed and ready to go so I can change jobs, locations, etc. whenever I want.  I don’t very often.  Even my career choice is aimed at given me some independence – pension and insurance.

As a teacher I hope to give my students that same guarantee of independence.   I’m constantly telling students where they go to continue learn more and make money, especially the web mastering students, and I am constantly urging them to go to college.  Anyway they can.

One thing I would like to do is give Jadzia some independence.    I haven’t met her, but she’s worked hard.  She graduated from high school and has done work as a model before her health went south.

Service dogs give independence, and I am constantly working towards giving others independence with service dogs.  That’s why I challenge people who restrict access and I teach other people “the rules”, as a Home Depot employee told me today.  I found that very amusing.