By Brian Linsley, Case Facilitator
I’ve only known Jackie for a short time, but she’s already made such an impact on me. She’s full of life and has an incredible zest for living. Despite facing numerous challenges and tough situations, she’s always shown resilience. From the brave decision to move away from her family to living in different places until she found a place to call home, Jackie’s journey is truly inspiring.
Confident and Warm
Though she sometimes leans on her support circle to help manage certain aspects of life and feel safe, Jackie is incredibly confident and comfortable being on her own. She shines with independence and has a warm, caring nature that makes it easy to see the good in people. Her sense of humor is infectious, and she has a way of making everyone around her feel at ease. That’s why she’s so easy to talk to and work with.
Social by Nature
Jackie has a soft spot for Disney, especially “Frozen,” but she also enjoys movies and shows about vampires. She loves living on her own and decorating her home to reflect her unique personality. Social by nature, she thrives on activities like going to Day Program, attending her church group on Mondays, and participating in Special Olympics events like basketball, bowling and track & field.
Medal Winner
Recently, she competed in the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games at Santa Clara University from June 27th through July 1st. I was so proud to see her compete and earn a medal in her event. One of the highlights of her weekend was meeting former San Francisco 49er and three-time Super Bowl Champion John Taylor. It was an unforgettable experience for her, one she’ll cherish forever.
Making a Difference
Working with Jackie has been a privilege. While my job is to make a difference in her life, she’s also made a difference in mine through her faith, generosity, and the way she pursues a life of freedom and self-reliance. I hope I can continue to support her on this journey. For Jackie, the love and support of the people in her life are what truly matter—they give her the strength to be herself, create good memories, and always feel safe.