Hi, this is Jon McGovern
I started taking Lend back on August 29th 2025. Lend is about Child development to provide interdisciplinary Graduate and non-Graduate levels to learn about what child development is. It develops leadership skills in the trainees. It then would go on to improve early identification and intervention services and enhance the workforce and support individuals with disabilities in transitioning to work and community life. Also, you will be learning from the people in Lend that are going through a program they are doing on the job or for college.
I was able to go meet the people that started with me. I got to meet Cara my Moose buddy on September 5th in New Hampshire and the Members of my Team called Octopi with Regan, Zee, Sarah, Julia, and Emmerson. They are fun to be around and working with my team. We connect and get things done. The best thing that makes Lend good for me is working with my Leadership person Dylan and Allison. Also, with my clinical person Desi and my mentor Jaci help me out. They make things smooth and break things down and understanding things easier. Seminar is going very well. I am learning a lot from Marnie and Stacy. Monique helps out with the writing parts of the homework. When I watch the videos, it makes it clear and understanding easier than when I have to read the stuff from Canvas it is a lot harder to understand it. I meet Marnie and Stacy on Mondays and that is when I ask them questions. It is easier to understand the homework because they help break it down for me.
If a self-advocate wanted to do Lend they could ask the people that have taken Lend and learn about Lend so they know what Lend is about. To see if Lend is right for the self-advocate they can also talk to a faculty Lend Staff and ask more questions about Lend.
Something I have been working on is becoming a better person, a better leader and a better team member. Lend is helping me with that. They aren’t just my team members, they are also my mentors. Being a better team member will make me a better council member, co-worker and individual. I am working on not being easily frustrated and working with others around me. One way that I do that is by talking things out with my Leadership person Dylan and my Clinical person Desi and my Mentor Jaci. To get me out of my funk. Just remember Lend teaches you a lot of things so think about it. I recommend you take the Lend program from the NH-ME Lend. If you are interested in taking this program I will answer your questions. Asking questions from others is a great way to learn about the program.
If you are self-advocate and would like to share a blog post with us please email Laurie Coldwell at lcoldwell@sufumaine.org
The Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) blog contains views and opinions of each individual writer. The views and opinions expressed through these channels are purely the bloggers’ own and do not reflect the opinion of SUFU as an organization or any SUFU staff member.
