This is it. This is the last time I stand at this wretched bus stop out front the Tallahassee Senior Center to watch dawn pass me by:
I’m feeling a bit shocky about it, but also? Very good. It’s a risk but for many reasons it is a risk I am willing to take. It’s not comfortable nor will it be easy…nor am I someone who expects success to be guaranteed. Nothing has been guaranteed for me since my parents died when I was 25-ish and ended up scrounging for a place to live, an income, a life.
I have been handed multiple traumas along the way, been homeless, and suffered some astounding setbacks (some of my own design, others by the hands of fate). I have also made great friends, had some great experiences, and succeeded at a few things I am proud of. None of that was guaranteed, and honestly I am one of the fortunate ones to have come through all of that alive. I am grateful.
When I walked into the Office of Accessibility Services (then, SDRC — Student Disability Recourse Center) for the first time in 2011, it was because the former Accessible Technology Coordinator was hiring part-time workers to help with a very complex text conversion project. At that time I was still working on my master’s degree, but by 2013 I had graduated and was desperately searching for a job I wanted. I never got the job I wanted, but the OAS was a safe place to land, and has been a second home to me through good times and bad.
However, it was only ever meant to be a stop-gap for me on a path to greater things. In fact my original plan was to stay no longer than five years at this job (remember that, Martha??!?!?)! So technically this is overdue.
It’s time to move on, and I’m ready to do that.