I first met JT in 1995 as a sophomore at KU. I decided to join this group called Natural Ties to get more involved in a community outreach program...little did I know that it would change my life. Every Wednesday busy KU students would meet at a place in the community to hang out with people with disabilities. I know JT's favorite spot was the Cadillac Ranch, which we attended once a month. Picture this....one hundred or so college students standing around chatting with people who were clearly different from themselves. (Not a drop of alcohol is being served!) No one cares that they have a paper to write or a final to study for. The dance floor is lined with friends rocking out to the latest tunes. The phrase 'dance like no one is watching' comes to mind. That was JT...with his body swaying side to side, arms going, sweat pouring from his head, and an enormous smile from ear to ear. I remember him saying to me, "My friend." Wow...I was JT's friend! That really meant something.
Now press fast forward. It's 2004, and I've just given birth to my first child. In the meantime I've gotten my masters in SPED from KU (thanks to all my experiences in Natural Ties) and taught in Kansas City, KS for 6 years. My husband and I decide that we want to make a major change. We sell our house and move to Lawrence to live with Ross Edwards (who was my "Tie" in Natural Ties). Before moving in with Ross, we started having regular meetings with Rud and Ann to insure this move would be successful. Thanks to their experiences with JT, they knew exactly what systems to put in place. Rud and Ann were amazing teachers due to all the teaching Jay had done over the years. This experience has been an incredible journey, and it's all because of Jay, Ann, and Rud. Jay has always been the trailblazer for Ross. We are all so thankful and for the life of JT and his spirit! People like JT help me to be the person I want to be in my heart. Thank you JT. We're praying for you Rud, Ann, Amy, Kate, and family.
Kelli and Justin Bates
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