Pam Holloway

A New Year’s wish from a former Carroll Center client

I want to wish all of my special friends at the a happy new year! This has been a very eventful year for me. I am still pursuing my masters degree in rehab teaching. My goal is to become a rehab teacher and teach the blind independent living skills.

My family is doing quite well. Steve, my husband, works at the Oklahoma Spine Hospital as a unit secretary. Nathan, our son, is still single and works in the mortgage business. Today is his 28 birthday. Darla is 24 and she and her husband of two years live in Broken arrow near Tulsa, Oklahoma. We are all well and busy with each of our individual lives.

I want to share with you some of my events of 2007.

In January, I entered the masters program in visual rehab at Langston University, Oklahoma City Campus. I enrolled in 6 hours. It had been over thirty years since I graduated with my undergraduate degree, so it was an adjustment.

In May, I went to Boston and Vermont to visit friends for nine days. I love Boston, so I had a wonderful time. While in New England, I went to St. Johnsbury, Vt. and spent 3 days with Steve and Mary Smith. They took me sight seeing and it was beautiful! We also had a wonderful time visiting. Then Rhona and Lou took me back to Boston. I stayed with them and we had a wonderful time! While in Boston, I had the privilege of returning to the Carroll Center and talking with the clients during Issues and Answers. I told them about what I was doing since I have graduated from the Carroll Center. I also talked to them about guide dogs. I let each one of them meet and pet Vanna, my guide dog.

While in Boston, several of my friends came to Rhona and Lou’s house and we had a mini reunion. This was fun! I enjoyed seeing old friends.

I returned to Oklahoma and started summer school. At this time, I completed a practicum. This was very informative. I shadowed rehab teachers, a mobility instructor, a rehab counselor, etc. This let me know for sure that I am pursuing the right career.

In August, I enrolled in 12 semester hours. It has been very busy, but I have learned so much. I am now half way through my program. My desire to be a rehab teacher is stronger than before.

Our family went to Broken Arrow to spend Christmas with Darla and her husband, Josh. we had a wonderful time together. I was so proud of her because this is her first Christmas to entertain family in her home.

I am enrolled in 12 hours for the spring semester. I will be taking a class in teaching methods in independent living skills and a braille class. I am excited about this.

My prayer is that 2008 will be a good year for you and your family. May God bless and guide all of us. Thanks for being my special friend.

Pam