Get to Know Sherry

Me: “What is your favorite thing about being at McCall’s?”

Sherry: That I am learning new things. When I lived at home, I was never really allowed to explore things. Here at McCall’s, I am blooming. It’s hard sometimes, but I am learning.

Me: “Do you like getting to know new people?”

Sherry: Oh, yeah. I love to especially because before I wasn’t really allowed to communicate.

Me: “Why weren’t you allowed to communicate?”

Sherry: My father thought it wasn’t important because I was in special ed, and he thought I was dumb, stupid, and retarded. It helps me when I talk about things because it helps me grow, and I hope it helps other people too.

Me: “Do you have any goals you’re working toward?”

Sherry: To get better at talking to people. It makes me really nervous.

Me: “Why is it important to you to be able to talk with people?”

Sherry: Because I have trust issues, and I would like to trust people enough to be able to tell them my feelings.

Me: “What are you most proud of?”

Sherry: Just knowing who I am now and making new friends and talking more. Sometimes I doubt myself. I was really nervous about this interview, but I’m really glad I did it with you.  

Me: “Why do you doubt yourself sometimes?”

Sherry: “The way I was treated by my dad. And people forget that people with special needs like me are people too. And they bully us, or make fun of us, and they think we don’t know. But we do know.

Me: “What is your favorite thing to do?”

Sherry: Laundry!

Me: “Really, laundry? I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say they love to do laundry.”

Sherry: I like the sound because of my hearing. I know it sounds strange, but that noise is different than people noise, and it kind of helps my anxiety not flare up. Because I have really bad anxiety, but I’ve been doing good since the lockdowns. I’m surprised my anxiety hasn’t overwhelmed me, and my depression too.”

Me: “What helps you manage your symptoms of depression and anxiety right now?”

Sherry: Just being able to be around people and talk to them. And Mama T, she really helps me out a lot!

Me: “How does Mama T help you out?”

Sherry: We read the Bible together. Doing that helps me feel peace within, like I’m fine. And if I don’t do the Bible study, my uhm…I have a bad day.

Me: “So do you think Bible study helps you because it’s a part of your routine or is it because you are moved by what you read in the Scriptures?”

Sherry: Definitely I’m moved by what the Bible says. I feel like I can relate to it.

Me: “What is something that you’ve read in the Bible that you relate to the most?”

Sherry: Helping others and being still and calm and listening.

Me: “You sound as though you really enjoy helping others. What is a way that you try to help?”

Sherry: I just try to be kind. If they drop something, I’ll pick it up. Or if they need help carrying something. Sometimes, I just like to smile at them if they’re having a bad day.

Me: “If you could eat any food, everyday for the rest of your life, what would it be?”

Sherry: *without hesitation* French fries! Any kind of French fries, but I’m on a diet so I have to watch my calories. I had some sweet potato fries last night.

Me: “Do you have a favorite dipping sauce for your fries!?”

Sherry: Oh yeah! Ranch!

Me: “Do you have a favorite holiday?”

Sherry: Yes, all of them!  I like Christmas is for presents and you get to do things. Valentines is for your sweetheart!

Me: “Do you have a sweetheart?”

Sherry: Yes, his name is Phillip.

Me: “Tell me about the paper you wrote.”

Sherry: When I wrote this paper, I was asked “Well, who’s going to read it?” It hurt my feelings, and I’m nervous because it reminded me of when I was little. Like maybe people aren’t going to like what I say or maybe they won’t even read it.

 Sherry: You know what, special needs people are people too. Somethings…some people think we can’t do things or that our lives aren’t worth anything. Like normal people. You don’t want to lie to a person either. Especially if they are your friend. I get really upset when people lie or make fun of us. It breaks my heart. Because we are humans too. We might be slow at stuff, but when we catch on, we learn it pretty well and it stays with us for quite some time. And people don’t understand that if you just let us try, let us have a chance to prove that we can do it. I wish people would just let us with disabilities have a chance. They need to understand that people with disabilities may not succeed at first, but if you let us try and try, we can do it. We still deserve respect.”

Me: “Sherry, I love that perspective. I’m really proud of you for taking a stand for yourself and for other people with disabilities.”

Sherry: I’m trying to stick up for all who have a handicap or disability because I sat back growing up, and I have seen a lot of bullies in my lifetime. Even my brothers and sisters were a bully. And it’s just *long pause as she was tearing up a bit*…I’ve got a kind heart, but sometimes I wonder why I have a kind heart like this, because not everyone is kind. But I think God gave me a kind heart for a purpose.

Me: “And what would that purpose be?”

Sherry: To, uhm, just to be kind and help others and do my best. I want to show people that if I can do it, they can too. I want to be an example.

Me: “Well, I think you are doing an OUTSTANDING job of being an example to others. You have a sweet disposition, and you stand up for others and are just really helpful.”

Sherry: Sometimes, I get mad too though, and then I feel bad. It takes an awful lot to make me angry though.

Me: “Do you ever feel bad about getting angry?”

Sherry: Yes, it’s not my personality to get mad.

Me: “Do you feel like you shouldn’t be angry even if someone has done something wrong to you?”

Sherry: Yeah, I don’t know why. I just go back and apologize. My downfall is that I apologize a million times.

Me: “Have the lockdowns been difficult for you to adjust because of the change to your regular schedule?”

Sherry: Yes, but I have had an easier time adjusting because I can go to the Lord, and pray. I always have someone to talk to, like Mama T. I can get her input if I need it. Or Cyndy, or the Qs, and now you! And it’s nice because I used to not have this support that I really needed. It felt like I was on this branch just trying to hold on. I felt like I was just waiting for the branch to break off and I was going to fall straight down, but now that I am here at McCall’s, it feels like someone is making sure the branch doesn’t break for me so I don’t fall.

Sherry:  I never thought I would be able to open up the way I am now. But I think that God has put me here so that I can open up, and learn and grow. And heal.

Me: “Well, I am so incredibly proud of the progress you have made. You went through so much and I know it’s a lot to process, but you are doing so well.”

Sherry: Yeah, but sometimes it feels like I go backwards. It’s like the little girl inside of me is telling me those things, she is reminding me of my insecurities. Sometimes I just need a little bit of encouragement.

Me: “Well, just remember, when you are feeling those things about yourself, you have so many people here to remind you that you’ve got this.”

Me: “Our followers are going to be reading this, they want to know about Sherry. So what is something about yourself that you want to tell them?

Sherry: I want them to know that I’m kind and sweet person.

Me: “And why are those things important to you? “

Sherry: Because I want people to know that I’m still human, that I make mistakes too, but at the end of the day, I’m still a good person. I want to be a light for everyone. If a someone is having a bad day, I’ll give them a smile or just say hello, or just give them an encouraging word. There is already so much hatred in this world.

Me: “You seem to be really comfortable with who you are now. Have you always been that way or did you have to work to get there?”

Sherry: It took me until I got here. McCall’s has helped me understand that I am perfect just the way that I am. My mom is always telling me “Whatever you decide I am with you.” But I still want her opinion, and I’m sad that I can’t see her. I talk to her still. You know some people have security blankets or teddy bears. Well, I have my mama.

Me: “Since moving here, do you feel that most people accept you for who you are?”

Sherry: Yes, I just feel loved and supported. Oh, and respected. I feel very respected and that’s really important. Whereas before, I didn’t feel like people respected me. I just felt like a doormat.

Me: “Is there anything else you would like to share with our followers?”

Sherry: If you guys have any questions, just ask and I can answer them for you! And I hope you like my paper.