Values Clarification

Toni Smith Megan Kumm Brianna White

Teamwork

"The combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient."

Our team worked very well together from the beginning. We all had strengths and weaknesses, and we all used those to the advantage of the whole team. Because we worked well together, and no one was judged for their weaknesses, we accomplished everything we wanted to. We were able to be a blessing in Biloxi.

"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." -Helen Keller

As a team our group; helped repair a wheelchair ramp, played games, hung out with a lot of cool people, and helped clean up an accessible playground. It was fun working together, and meeting a lot of new people. The best part was feeling like we did something good.

Friendship

"There are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little better." -Unknown

This value is something that became very important to our team as the trip went on. While some of us may have had mutual friends or saw each other on campus, I don't think any of us really considered each other friends. But over the course of five days, that all changed.

During the first 17 hour car ride, we all started to really get to know things about each other rather than we were all passionate about disability rights. We all grew closer as the days progressed and learned more about one another. Towards the end of the trip, most of us broke off into our smaller friend groups with those who we got to know the best and had the most in common with. The 17 hour ride back, we rode with those who we got closer with.

Even though we may have broken off into groups, we are all still friends and I wouldn't trade this trip for the world. I know I will be friends with some if not all of these people for life.

Friendship isn't always about those who are close to you, but those who are distant from you as well. In the picture to the left, our team was able to make some amazing friends at the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi. Some people from the group are still connected to some of the people from the association via social media.

Inspiration

"The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative." -Unknown

After spending only five full days with my 15 other teammates, they all have inspired me to be an active citizen. Not only did they help me figure out that I wanted to continue fighting for disability rights, they helped me decide on a new career path.

Each individual inspired me in many different ways. Some inspired me to start stepping out of my shell and to just be myself at all times. Others were an inspiration by having some deep life talks during our 17 hour road trip. We all trusted each other at the end of the trip and have become the greatest friends.

The many different community partners that we worked with also inspired me more than they think. They explained the many different problems that come with their job, but also stated the reasons why they love it. They showed me that things are not always going to go smoothly, but to always fight for what you want. The top left picture is a perfect picture to show how happy I am, and it is just one of the times I felt inspired. I know the whole team inspired the community partners to keep working hard, because there are people out there who support them and want to see positive changes with disability rights.

References:

1. "Teamwork." English Oxford Living Dictionaries. 2019. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/teamwork

DiFeliciantonio, Samantha. TeamBonding. 2014. https://www.teambonding.com/power-of-communication/

2. "Friendship." Pixteller. 2019. https://pixteller.com/designs/others/there-are-some-people-in-life-that-make-you-laugh-id8631

3. "Inspiration." English Oxford Living Dictionaries. 2019. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/inspiration

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