In my book, you must be positive to practice self-advocacy and self-determination. If I speak up and share my experiences, needs, hopes, and dreams, things will change to my benefit, especially in self-determination. I will get unique services tailored to me personally and I will be better off for it. The thing is if I keep my mouth shut and don’t share my story nothing will change–what a waist. Communication is two way, so at my meetings I need to listen others offer me I like to say that I am good listener, but my track record is that I am very slow on taking up the advice of others. I would go myself rigid or set in my ways, but I rarely make rapid change. I like to test the water out before I take the big plunge, but once I make my decision I am in the pool swimming away. From day to day, my life seems the same, but if you look back at where I came from, say seven years ago, my life has changed tremendously. I much more responsible and functional, but I am also much more open, tolerant, and accepting. I am excited about the possibilities of what I may become in the next seven years.