IPADDUnite - Transition Week

January 13, 2008

Hi Everyone -

Since my week with you all starts in the morning and I am an

interminable night-owl, I thought I would take a minute to start off

with an introduction. My name is Sue Walter and I live in the southern

part of Illinois. Currently my work position is as a Transition

Consultant for the Illinois State Board of Education, Special Education

Services Division. Over the last 10 years I have worked on two Federal

transition grants administered by ISBE. The last project, Transition

Outreach Training for Adult Living (TOTAL) ended this past summer of

2007. In my work capacity, I have developed a variety of

transition-related training material and have traveled around the state

to reach educators, parents, students and community providers on topics

related to secondary transition. I have presented at numerous workshops

and conferences at the local, regional and national level. When I

started in the field of transition, 10 years ago, I was part-time and

was able to have an office at home. Over the years, I worked very hard

to build my credibility and so have been able to maintain my office at

home. Though I do travel around the state a lot for my work, having my

office at home makes it possible for me to balance everything.

My most important work however, is my family and my daughter .

is 24 and has severe cerebral palsy with a host of associated

problems - surgeries, medical crisis's, therapies, and support needs -

that keep me hopping. Despite the challenges, over the course of her 24

years, she has played softball in the community recreation league, been

a member of the upper elementary cheerleading squad, participated in

Girl Scouts, attended homecoming and prom during her high school years,

traveled extensively within Illinois and to locations in Washington,

D.C., Florida, and Georgia, graduated from her community high school

with honors, and received an Associate of General Studies from and

Community College through their Supported School to Work Program.

Currently she attends courses at and (that give her

pleasure, exercise and social stuff) a few days a week...yoga, drama and

art - during the fall and winter months. She also belongs to a local

chapter of People First and is the current secretary. During the past

four summers she has had private painting lessons with an artist she met

in her early days at the community college and developed a mentor/friend

relationship with. This past summer she was in her first art show

(local festival in our community) and sold most of the prints we had

made and a few originals too. 's dream is to be self-employed

as an artist and, with the support of her family and friends; she is

well down the road in setting up her business. She is an SSI

recipient, has Medicaid, and has PA hours supported through DRS's Home

Services Program. We have been fortunate with my husband's insurance

and have been able to meet the requirements to have her remain a

dependent. Yes, I am little behind where I would like to be in

facilitating some of this stuff and I'm not where I want to be in

setting up supports for her...but I have faith that I will get where we

need to go.

So, that gives you a pretty good picture of me - what I do

and the important person who keeps me passionate about the subject. My

work area is specific to transition-aged students who have IEP's (14 to

22). For those of you who might have a young adult who has already left

the school system, if you have questions I can probably provide some

guidance/direction but it is more so from the " school of hard knocks " or

however that saying goes. I look forward to our week together and will

try to do my best to answer all questions or, if need be, find someone

who has answers. My best regards, Sue Walter

January 14, 2008

Thanks, Sue, for sharing your impressive resume and your very personal

commitment to the field. Your daughter sounds amazing. What a rich and full

life she has led and is living! Good for her...GREAT for you

Co-moderator,

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...