If you frequent the Oakhurst community you've probably seen Betty Thompson. She has been a Decatur resident since 1951 and a resident of Oakhurst since 2001. Whether she is heading to Sunday service at Oakhurst Baptist Church or going to visit her neighbors; chances are you have seen her wheelchair zipping through the neighborhood.
Since developing cerebral palsy at the age of eight months she has used a wheelchair for mobility and instead of formal speech she uses a letter board to communicate. With the assistance of these two things she runs her greeting card business, manages church commitments, and does self-advocacy work. Her schedule is a busy one.
Last year, with the support of her family and friends Thompson had a PATH created. PATH stands for Planning Alternative Tomorrow's through Hope and it is a method for planning your life around your interests, hopes, and talents. Since the design of this plan Thompson has been hard at work making the goals she has set a reality. Following months of hard work expanding her greeting card business and developing opportunities for speaking engagements on the subject of self advocacy; Thompson has reached one of the biggest goals on her list - traveling to California to see the redwood forests. As a child her father would tell her stories about time he spent in Northern California working for the Civilian Conservation Corps and the magnificent redwood trees that grew there. Although she has seen many photographs of them, she has always wanted to experience their beauty in person.
With the help of leaders and members of Oakhurst Baptist Church, family, and friends trip planning began last year. To fund the trip the team developed a Crowdrise campaign that has raised more than $15,000 to cover accessible air and ground transportation, food and lodging for Thompson and her two care assistants. The trio along with several friends of Betty's will make the journey to the west coast this June. She is very excited about the adventure, so if you see her out and about wish her Bon Voyage!
Learn more about Betty, her journey to Redwoods State Park, and watch an interview with her at her website at www.bettyscircleoffriends.wordpress.com
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