I shared my story with the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies this year for International Day of Acceptance in my first webinar.  As I share the video from this, remember that this presentation is my perspective on diversity and inclusion as someone with a disability.  It is not exhaustive, nor is it universal. It is my experience, and it also includes some research.  Also, remember that Jesus demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect—those of a different race, those with disabilities, those who are poor, young or old, male or female. God sometimes makes a choice of those as his messengers, who have the least of the advantages of art or nature, that his grace in them may appear the more glorious.—Matthew Henry Commentary on Exodus 4:10–17 (Roper, David. Teach Us to Number Our Days . Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition). We must never consider others as being beneath us in any way. Paul says we need to live in harmony with others and not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. I want to be more like Paul, who said of his weakness, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” because His power is made perfect in MY weakness.

When God put the desire to be a social worker in my 13-year-old heart, I never imagined how difficult it’d be to obtain and maintain employment in the field. I have had eight jobs (6 of which were in the social work field) and four unemployment periods since I graduated with my Master’s Degree in 2006. I have a physical disability, and there are several job requirements I no longer know how to meet because reasonable accommodation doesn’t seem to be an option. As a result of my employment struggles, I have become a doubter who is stuck, questioning my purpose and wondering how God will use me to help other differently abled individuals. I believe He will, but I am tired. I have been known to read Galatians 6:9 (a verse that once encouraged me to keep going) and burst into tears. I felt that social work was how He’d use me to help others. It aligned well with my spiritual gifts, so I pursued it. I never thought I had chosen wrong. 
      When I am in a difficult season, my first reaction is to complain and have a pity party. I stop remembering God’s promises. I know He knit me in my mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13-14). I know He’ll make my lameness work together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28)!  But Satan and my flesh don’t want me to remember. Lately, I have been too focused on my limitations and stopped seeing the woman God created. I stopped finding joy. If you’re struggling to find joy in your circumstances as much as I am, I hope these three concepts bless you as much as they have me.

1. Remember that whatever you are going through is only temporary. I know you may think 16 years doesn’t seem short-term, but remember that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day (2 Peter 3:8). Remember that God is in control. His timing is perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Keep praying for the desires of your heart (Psalms 20:4-5) and pray that God will provide opportunities to use you and your trials while you wait (Galatians 6:10).
2. Along my journey to become a social worker, I’ve experienced God-winks. The first was in 2013, three years after being laid off from my first job. I had called an agency to try and get help finding a job but never heard back. A few weeks later, I received a phone call from that same agency, but it wasn’t from the employee I called for help. The manager had seen my old (inactive) resume on a job site and wanted to know if I was still looking for work. This call was an answer to prayer, the circumstances of which were not easy to explain away. When I went for the interview, I found out that I was interviewing (and later hired) to do the job of the person I had called for help. GOD did this! 

• The second God-wink came in October 2016 after being laid off from my second job. My church had started the sermon series Joseph: Seeing the Good in God’s Detours. Joseph trusted and obeyed God. No matter the circumstance, he didn’t complain and didn’t compromise his faith because he knew God was in control. Even in prison, Joseph was safe, God knew where he was, God was listening, and God put Joseph exactly where he needed to be. Nothing happened to him that God disapproved of. Whatever you are going through, remember this. But also remember that God cares for you. He will comfort and save you. Joseph didn’t get mired in self-pity. Instead, he used his circumstances and talents to help others in prison. Hearing this reminded me that when we focus our thoughts on the author and perfecter of our faith instead of our mess, we can have joy (Hebrews 12:2).  During this series, I felt the call to share my story. GOD did this, and this brings me to my second point-

 2. Be bold and courageous (1 Chronicles 28:20 and Joshua 1:9)!

• If I hadn’t heard that sermon, I wouldn’t have stepped out in faith and out of my comfort zone to write and self-publish a book and try motivational speaking. I wouldn't have been sharing my life and faith at a speaking engagement, and I wouldn’t have met the person who interviewed and hired me to be a social worker for a therapeutic day school within a few weeks (after two years of unemployment). If that wasn’t a divine detour, I don’t know what is! 

• Being bold and courageous also means sharing what I am going through with others, especially other Christians. They can help keep me accountable in turning to God when things get tough, they can encourage me, and they can pray for me.  Would you pray that God would provide opportunities to use my life for His will and glory? Would you pray that I find joy and contentment and hold me accountable?

   3.  Be  content and Joyful

• Joy, patience, and peace are gifts from God (Galatians 5:22-23). To receive them, I need to continually renounce Satan and my flesh to seek His face and put Him first (2 Chronicles 7:14 and Proverbs 3:6). I need to trust God and His sovereignty over my circumstances.
• When I am in a difficult season, I need to have peace, hope, and faith (Romans 15:10-13 and Matthew 17:20). I need to focus on my purpose: To love Jesus and others and put their interests above my own. So How can I pray for you?

Lord, forgive me for putting too much emphasis on my identity as a social worker.  As your child, I am rich (not monetarily) and blessed. I have much to be thankful for and much to give. Thank you for reminding me what it means to have J.O.Y.  Please use my life and gifts to bring You glory.

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Tomorrow's the annual International Day of Acceptance, which is a day dedicated to the social acceptance of disability. For me, acceptance is something I am always striving for and hoping for. I am hopeful that there will one day be a world where we are no longer judged by the color of our skin, our limitations, or other differences that set us apart.  As I share in my book, Difference is what makes us all unique. Everyone has challenges or differences that should be embraced, not seen as a mistake or something that needs to change. God doesn't make mistakes (Psalm 139:13-14 and Exodus 4:11, NIV). I know this and yet, sometimes I still feel judged for what I can't do, instead of being celebrated for what I can do, and the contribution as well as the credibility that my difference brings to society. Like Dr. Sexton, I was asked by an academic adviser if I was sure I wanted to continue pursuing a career in social work because classes would only get harder and they wanted to ensure I could handle it. I'd say I handled things well, getting my masters in a year and graduating Suma Cum Laude. Like Dr. Sexton, I've been told (by potential employers) I wouldn't get hired because of the things I couldn't do,  Like Dr. Sexton, I didn't give up.  Even though it took two years, three months ago, I got hired as a social worker for a therapeutic day school. I am so thankful  to my employer for seeing something in me that others couldn't or wouldn't see. 

Several months ago, Donka contacted me and asked if they could share my story. For those who don't know Donka, they're a non-profit organization that provides computer training and job readiness services to persons with physical, visual and limited learning disabilities. Through the use of computers and assistive technology, our clients become more self-sufficient and independent members of the community. I was once a student of theirs:

Today, my interview on Opening Bell aired. I only hope that Steve got to ask all his questions. Those who know me know I like to talk, but I must have been nervous because every time he asked me a question I ran away with it.  Anyway, as I share on my home page,  I  still feel strongly that I am supposed to use my experiences to educate others, to be an encouragement and a beacon of hope for other people with disabilities and their families. It is my heart’s desire to help individuals become all they can be, no matter their challenges.  It is my hope that being an author, motivational speaker, and consultant will help me to fulfill my desire while I wait for the perfect employment opportunity within my field.  So if you know of any places or populations that could benefit from hearing my story, the whole story- not just Yazzen's, buy my book and/or invite me to speak!

A nice memory popped up on my Facebook feed when I logged in this morning: "Excited to start a new venture, which I hope will lead to a second career in Motivational Speaking. Wednesday night, I will be sharing my story with parents and students. I'll speak about how I have chosen to defy disability and delight in diversity. I will discuss the importance of self-acceptance, perseverance, independence, and advocacy...Teachers, social workers, parents, organizations, etc., if you are interested in having me speak at your events, PM me your contact information, and I'll be in touch."
What a year it has been! I wonder if I'll ever be able to charge the $1,000.00 fee the internet suggests for Motivational Speaking. Since I started, I have done seven speaking engagements, five for free. Although I'd like to get paid, getting my message of acceptance, understanding differences, and positivity to those who could benefit from hearing my life's story is essential. Most recently, I spoke to two fourth-grade classes at a local school. They're currently reading Sharon Draper's Out Of My Mind.
The (fictional) main character Melody's 11 years old, and she has Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. She uses a wheelchair and cannot walk, talk, or feed herself, but Melody is very bright and has the gift of a photographic memory. Sadly, no one but those closest to her knows what she can do. To the other people in her life, she is the girl in the pink wheelchair who can't do anything for herself. Doctors told her mom that she won't potty train, can't learn, and should be institutionalized. Thankfully, her mom doesn't listen, and she enrolls her in school. As a result, Melody's peers pick on her, calling her a "liar" and an "idiot."  Melody also must deal with teachers who assume she's incapable of learning. Through it all, Melody perseveres and eventually receives the gift of speech, but will the people in her life be ready to listen to what she has to say?
Melody's story is a "must-read" for anyone, and so is mine.  I, too, have Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, and I use a power chair and a service dog for mobility and independence in my everyday life. Although I can walk, talk, and feed myself, I can relate to Melody. Doctors also told my mom that I would never potty-train, and when I was five years old, school administrators told my parents that my school was "not equipped to handle a child like me." As a result, I rode the bus an hour away to a "special" school in Joliet. I didn't think I'd ever get out of there. When I did, some administrator’s teachers and peers tried to make my life miserable. Administrators wanted to make me stand out from my peers even more than I already did. Some teachers couldn't understand that I needed accommodations to be successful in school, and some peers bullied me. They were repeatedly mean and excluded me from activities that most kids my age would've loved to be a part of, like going to the movies or trips to Great America. Some even accused me of not doing my homework/classwork, especially if I got better grades than they did.  I wondered if I would ever be accepted by them. Would the people around me ever see beyond my wheelchair and my limitations?  
If you want to know the answer to these questions, read my book or have me come and speak to your school, your community group or service organization, your church, or even your place of employment. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

I'm discovering that attending book events can be fun! They're a good way to meet new people and find out what they like to read and also write. Today I met fellow first-time author Alexandra Georgas, author of Mom & Me: My Journey with Mom's Schizophrenia  She and I both have a strong desire to make a difference in people's lives through the sharing of our stories. I also met Lou Holly, author of Southside Hustle.

​Yesterday, I spoke to students and staff at Yorkville High School as part of the International Day of Acceptance. All my life I've had to work hard to show people what I am capable of, that I'm more than my limitations, but sometimes I still feel like that's all society sees. True acceptance is something that I want to see in this world and it's something that's needed. When I talked to the students about acceptance I shared some of what I share in my book on the topic:
Self-Acceptance
"If you have ever felt different like you do not fit in or belong, you are not alone. I, too, have felt this way, and sometimes I still do. However, if you’re dealing with feeling different, you need to know that being different is what makes you unique. Don’t worry about trying to fit in or be normal. You are perfect just the way you are. As Maya Angelou said, “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be” (Angelou 2015). Realize that no one is normal. Everyone has challenges or differences that should be embraced, not seen as a mistake or something that needs to change. I believe we are all exactly who we’re meant to be. There are no mistakes. I shared how I try to never let fear or a perceived lack of inability keep me from trying something new, like cheerleading, waterskiing or writing my book. I talked about how I wouldn't change anything about my life except maybe my inability to drive. I also showed them how my service dog helps me be more independent.
Acceptance from Others
When I talked about acceptance from others, I shared how having meaningful friendships was difficult and how at times I didn’t want to go to school. I shared how it seemed like sometimes peers were too concerned with what others might think. But in college that all changed, especially when my service dog (Yazzen) came into my life.
I hope I made an impact yesterday, and I hope the students learned that people who are dealing with differences are not much different from them. I hope that when they see others who are different from them, they won't be mean, they won't ignore them or exclude them. Instead, I hope they'll say hi to them, include them in activities, talk to them, and get to know them. I hope that they won't be afraid to ask questions, even if their questions are about what makes the person different. Being friends with someone who's different, could be the best thing they do, not only for them but for the person they're befriending too.
Excerpts from my book "Making Independence Happen, © Amy Chally, 2016

​This began on Sept. 27th when I received a call telling me I'd been nominated and my presence requested at the board meeting on Oct. 19th. Once I knew I could attend I was contacted for an interview and photos for the press release, which read:
 
Waubonsee Community College alumnus Amy Chally has faced many challenges over her lifetime but has persevered to turn those challenges into an opportunity to help and motivate others. Chally was born with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy that causes her muscles to be constantly tight and contracted, making it a struggle to move or control movements in her arms and legs.  While she can walk with a walker, Chally uses a power chair and service dog for greater independence and mobility in her daily life.
Today, Chally is an author, motivational speaker and social worker seeking the right opportunity for her next career move. She recently worked with students at Geneva Middle School North, substituting for the social worker on maternity leave, where she said she had an amazing experience with the staff and kids. But when that temporary assignment ended, Chally wasn’t going to just sit by and wait for what’s next and has launched a new career as an author and motivational speaker. “I am a social worker by trade but I have struggled on and off to find permanent employment in the years since I graduated,” she said. “So now I am trying to start a second career as an author and motivational speaker while I wait to find my niche in social work.”
Chally recently published “Making Independence Happen, One Paw at a Time,” a two-part memoir told from two very different perspectives. Part one is her first service dog Yazzen’s adventurous tale of his journey from a tiny pup to her invaluable partner in life. Part two is her story, about how she got started on her journey of receiving a service dog and also “how courage, faith and love helped me get through the obstacles I face in life.”  Her beloved service dog Yazzen passed away in 2014 and she currently has a new companion, Portland.
For her perseverance, desire to help others and can-do attitude, Waubonsee is proud to recognize Chally as a Student Success: Featured Alumnus. During her time at Waubonsee, Chally was a Gustafson Scholar and said she enjoyed the community service and other requirements necessary as part of that scholarship.  She said that the staff at the Access Center were helpful and remembers a number of instructors like Dr. Murphy in psychology and Sara Quirk in English.
After graduating from Waubonsee, Chally continued her education at Aurora University, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.  She was drawn to the field after an encounter with a social worker at the age of 13. A social worker approached Chally and asked if she needed to talk to her regarding my upcoming surgery. When the social worker said that Chally could talk to her because she knew what it was like to be her even though the social worker had no visible sign of disability, she realized that she wanted to go into social work to help other individuals with disabilities. “I wanted to be able to use my experiences to help them, not because I knew what it was like to be them, but because I knew what it was like to be me as a person with a disability.”
 In addition to her book, which is available for purchase on Create Space, Barnes and Noble and Amazon, Chally is serving as a motivational speaker for a broad range of audiences.  She has focused on school assemblies, employee training, and disability awareness education. “I have been both a keynote speaker and a panelist at diversity/disability awareness events and have spoken to parents, teachers, and special education majors about the benefits of inclusion at local schools,” she said.
 Outside of work, Chally enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her family and her Canine Companions for Independence service dog Portland. Chally is driven to succeed by her faith and passion for helping others be all they can be.  For future Waubonsee students, she has one simple piece of advice. “Follow your heart, believe in yourself, and don't ever give up on your passion,” she said...
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Tonight with my small entourage (which included my parents and a few staff from the college) by my side, Mr. Dickson, Chair of the Board of Trustees presented me with a certificate of recognition. I thanked the board for the honor and shared how I've always had a desire to help others. I also shared how difficult it has been to find a job as a social worker, but how I've used this detour in my life to write my book. I told them what it's about and where they could buy it.