The activity that touches me in a special way in my campaign is talking to people.
You have to understand that I am a “people junkie”. I love listening to people’s stories. I discovered this when I was a teacher. One particular year when I was a teacher at O.L. Slaton I was given a one period assignment as the ISS (In-School-Suspension) monitor. For some this would be “horror” assignment, but I loved it. It was my favorite time of the day. I would talk to students about why they had been “sentenced” to ISS, talk with them about their grades and how they could improve. That’s what started my journey as a counselor and a true people lover.
During my campaign I have been priviliged to listen to people’s stories–their needs, their trials, and why they need a representative who REALLY wants to help.
Today was one of those days that made me truly realize why I’m running for this office. While phoning, I talked to a woman with a handicapped child who keeps the woman “housebound” in order to care for her. We talked about IDEA and special education and her needs as a parent of a special needs child. I talked to a man who has terminal cancer and an extremely optimistic attitude.
At the Pancake Festival, I met Miss Caprock 2010, Patrea Ferrell, a beautiful poised young lady who is a student at SPC. I was also priviliged to meet her little sister who is in elementary school and especially Patrea’s mother–a beautiful and warm woman. We talked about college tuition and how much more it might increase by the time Patrea’s little sister would attend college. Mrs. Ferrell was worried about how she would manage that.
I talked to many of the custodians who were working at the Civic Center, diligently bussing tables, bagging trash, and cleaning up. One man was working for a temporary help business because he had been laid off two years ago. Another was eager to go home to his children and yet another, was leaving to help take care of her elderly mother.
These are the people I want to represent as the District 84 Representative. They’re working hard to make ends meet, they have challenges in their life and they need someone who cares and who will speak for them.
I can’t wait to help these people. They are why I’m running.
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