Doris Kalina
Support, Choice, and Control

My first experience was not as a mentor, but with people seeking employment with our assistance.  I learned about many communications “systems” available and how they were used.  I still had/have much to learn about what is out there, but always love seeing people express their thoughts with others, especially with people who never realized that person’s competency/ability to communicate, no matter how different it was/is.

I find it exciting to see a person being able to express themselves, make choices, and take control of their lives rather than others making their choices, etc.  It is great to see people become independent and live the life that they want to live, not being despondent or depressed because they do not have that choice.

I have come to see that all people are able to communicate and are competent.  We just need to find out how they are communicating their thoughts, needs, desires, and help them be able to express this with others who are not so accepting.

I am most proud of being able to help others in communicating and developing their independence, helping others to see that things are not always as they seem.  I find myself always reflecting on “Just because I cannot speak does not mean I cannot communicate.”

The biggest challenge is getting others to see that it is possible for all to communicate.  There are so many who refuse to accept that people are communicating their own thoughts, etc. with whatever means works for them: close-mindedness is the biggest challenge.

All people have the desire to communicate and we need to help them relay to others their competency no matter how different their method may seem.  SUPPORT, GIVE CHOICE, GIVE CONTROL!!!

Doris Kalina 			6/23/07