4 "Until Miriam [Hojda] and [tutor] regular curriculum. She took tests Marci Carmen, Blimie did a few along with everyone else. giving things with the girls, but she wasn't her answers orally because writing really in the class much of the day," them takes too long. Helen Youngworth says. The family Blimie was on the yearbook staff raised their own funds to pay for and enjoyed a senior class trip to Blimie's aides. The Youngworths Niagara Falls. She worked in the used to feel alone in dealing with school's nursery school and says all the objections to Blimie's place- she likes being with children ment; now with the help of these I because "it's fun." aides, "everything isn't coming from Today, Blimie continues her work her parents," her mother says. 1 at the nursery and attends Bais Hojda gives special credit to Car- Chaya Mushka's seminary in Oak men for the young woman's suc- Park, where she is studying to cess, saying the program would not become a full-time preschool aide. have been as successful for her She still needs to master certain "without Blimie's excellent tutor and daily-living skills, such as driving shadow. and managing a bank account. "Marci understood from the very "With every step, Blimie has to beginning what Blimie's experiences work so much harder," Youngworth had been at school. We gave her I says. But her parents believe she the concepts of inclusion, and she I will learn to handle all these skills. figured out how to make them Blimie has dreams of getting mar- work. She sat in classes with her, ried and leaving home one day. then would review the most impor- They think I'm staying here forev- tant concepts with Blimie so that she er," she says. "I'm not." could follow the next day's lesson. Though they are hesitant to let her Carmen developed relationships go, the Youngworths understand with the staff and students, explain- their daughter's longing for indepen- ing how Blimie's shyness could be dence. It's what any child wants. overcome if they would be persistent "For so long, we would hear in including her. Without Carmen questions like, 'Why would you showing them how to do this and want your daughter to be in a regu- continuously encouraging the lar class?"' Helen Youngworth says. process, none of this would have "Now look at her. She never would come to fruition," Hojda says. have had these experiences without Carmen of Southfield says through JARC." the School Inclusion Program, she "For so long she was closed in," has "watched Blimie become more her husband adds. "It's like the sun confident, self-reliant, self-assured, came out, shining on a flower and talkative, outgoing, assertive and helping it open. Blimie is our flower, skilled. I can't begin to explain the and now, at last, she's opening." 0 joy I receive from watching each stride she makes, and we celebrate An upcoming fund-raising event each success." for ARC at Detroit's Fisher Theatre Among them, Blimie has devel- will help provide financial support oped computer, interpersonal and for the School Inclusion Program. vocational skills. "She has published JARC is hosting the musical Fid- a literary work in her senior year- dler on the Roof, starring book, which gives testimony to her Theodore Bike!, at 7:30 p.m. beliefs, ideals and convictions," Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. Carmen says. 24 and 25. After JARC's involvement, Blimie For ticket information, call JARC, was almost always included in the (248) 352-5279. Lexus RX300 The Only Bumps You'll Feel Are Of The Goose Variety. • Leather Heated Seats • Moon Roof • Premium Sound • 6 Disc CD Changer • Traction Control • Alloy Wheels FOR CUSTOM. QUOTES SEE - www.lexusoflansing.com Lexus of Lansing WE PICK UP AND DELIVER ANYWHERE 5701 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing 1.800-716-9999 (Exit 104 Cedar Street off 1-96, 3 blks. N. on Penn.) Improve Grades and Confidence! Our individualized learning program will help your child learn to think, focus, and discover motivation at school. Elementary - High School Commerce • (248) 366-6730 Canton • (734) 844-0580 Novi • (248) 349-9987 Troy • (248) 813-8945 Ann Arbor • (734) 663-2070 Farmington Hills • (248) 474-8570 Bloomfield Hills • (248) 988-8030 If. Bloomfield • (248) 538-3782 Mnpoinn hme, 12) • Coming Soon! Livonia • Coming Soon! )1..L.ILC,Cel LILLLJ OXFORD I FARNINC; CFNTRFS® LEARNING CENTERS® Learning for School - Learning for Life! READING WRITING SPELLING MATH STUDY SKILLS ❑ 10/20 2000 121