Our communities: As November draws to a close, Erika Larimer and Karin Ellis share their gratitude journal entries below.

Erika’s gratitude journal entry:

There is no underestimating the power of one’s community/village/family on one’s ability to achieve that which seems impossible. As I reflect on the past 20 years of my son Emmett’s growth and development into the human he is today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the people and organizations that have come into our lives.

Emmett sustained a traumatic brain injury during birth – resulting in a lifelong cognitive/developmental delay and seizure disorder which impacts the language center of his brain, making speech, reading, and writing extremely difficult if not unlikely.

Now in his final year of school (he is eligible to stay in school until age 21), I am full of wonder and gratitude for how far he has come. He has friends, engages in conversations, can tell time and sets up zoom calls with family. HE CAN READ and just finished writing a play (which we will present as a family in February). And soon, he will live independently with minimal support.

Although there have been barriers along the way (legal, financial, non-believers), there have been far more champions – many of whom work tirelessly within the public school system. Without their willingness to set high expectations for our son, to see beyond his IQ or prognosis and appreciate him for his gifts, he might not have achieved his potential. Now, more than ever, our public-school community deserves our gratitude and grace.

I am grateful to those who championed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for self-advocates who continue to speak their truth and raise awareness regarding the rights and capabilities of individuals with disabilities; I am thankful for schoolteachers, therapists and administrators who answer the call for inclusion and equity; I appreciate the agencies and support groups that provide families with resources and pathways toward envisioning and creating a better life for their loved ones.

It has been a privilege to grow and learn alongside my son, and especially to be part of such an amazing community which refuses to set limitations. May we continue to see the gifts in others, set high expectations, and strive for a good life for all.

- Erika

Karin’s gratitude journal entry:

I am incredibly grateful for all of the healthcare and social service providers who continue to sacrifice so much to provide compassionate care to those in need, especially as the combination of pandemic fatigue and the holidays lead people to take more risks to see friends and family.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted longstanding inequities and I am grateful to the organizations that acknowledge these disparities and are stepping up to address them.

I am also grateful for my fellow public health professionals who are working tirelessly to respond to the pandemic in a multitude of ways, but in particular developing clear communication based in science that is presented in a way that is easy to understand. When my anxiety creeps up I can turn to data to make informed decisions and am grateful for my local public health department and how transparent they are in sharing and maintaining these data dashboards.

I invite you to find a way to share your gratitude with the care providers and public health professionals in your community. We cannot thank them enough.

-Karin

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Celebrating a month of gratitude: Erika and Karin