Dear John: Letters from Angela—9
Would a trip to an amusement park with your fiancée be fun?
Feb 10, 1992
Dear John, It was good talking to you the phone two weeks ago. How are you? I’m sorry to complain too much in the last letter about my hurt in New York and about my Depression. I am doing a lot better now. I am more stablize.
Well I made it through the first three weeks of my evaluation. I’ve did food service for the three weeks. I had a staff meeting with my Rehabilitation counselor, case worker and the staff workers at Goodwell. I found out my strong points is that I’m friendly. Good worker, and functional and I’m very thorough on my job, but there were weaknesses which were short term memorie, could not understand long portions of oral instructions, take a very long time doing task because of coordinator problems and mood swings when things get too stressful on the job.
So right now I’m at my second half of my evauation which is Contrast Services. It involves assembly, and production. I spend three weeks in assembly. Right now I’m starting my second week. I think the evauation in the contract Service is going a lot better because there isn’t that much instruction involved and nobody isnot on my shoulders telling me to hurry up. I’m also a faster worker in assembly. No mood swings at all which is good because of less stress.
Well I been doing fun things such as going to the movies with my fiancee Brian. I seen a very good movie last Friday called Cape Fear. It was very exciting. I want to see the Grand Canyon next.
I went to Disneyland last Saturday with my fiancee Brian and another couple and had a very nice time. There are so many new attractions and rides in the last few years. We went on the Good rides such as Space Mountain and the Pirates of the Caribbean and the new ride called Splash Mountain. When I went on Pirates of the Caribbean I remember the first time I went when it was with you and the kids in our class with [name redacted] Day Camp. So I had a great time at Disneyland.
Well John that all for now. Please keep on touch and write soon!
Give my love to Pat and Cory and your eight cats. I’ll write to you again soon!
Love
Angela
I love this letter. First, the length of the letter is impressive. Second, I love that Angela has a fiance. We know that intimate relationships for people with IDD are often prevented, restricted and/or controlled. Third, I love that she is enjoying herself in the community. But realizing it was 30 years ago makes it so much more enjoyable to read. The sad thing is that although some progress has been made, there has not been enough. Today, it is still rare to have someone with IDD talk about going to Disneyland and the movies with their fiance and another couple.