The title of this blog was one of the first things John Dickerson said to me not long after the first episode of "A View from My Window" was done. I was beyond thrilled! I was actually doing the thing I thought I could only imagine doing or see being done on TV. With ecstatic gratitude, I thanked him a thousand times over for giving me the job and he said, "Sometimes, you just need to find the right "key" to unlock your door of opportunity." That statement rang so true. I had been trying so hard to get noticed for my abilities as an anchor, writer and interviewer, that I told everyone and their brother about it. I wanted to get my foot in the door of the broadcast journalism field. When I met John, I was a clerical assistant at Wabash Center in Lafayette. I was also the Honorary Spokesperson which allowed me to do various media work and TV spots for them. Yes! A stepping stone to my goal with the added bonus of gaining confidence in my ability to say how I really felt about my dream - that of being an anchor. John and I started talking about my clerical job and several other subjects...and then the weighter matter: "So, what is your DREAM job?" John asks. I remember pausing for a moment, trying to somehow avoid the subject, not wanting to hear, "Well, I really hope that happens for you" or "I wish you all the best in your endeavors." I had always heard through my job search that it's all about the people you know and your connection with them. At this point, I was unaware that John was the Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana! So, I thought, "Maybe this guy knows the right people!" If I didn't say something, I knew I would regret it. So, I told him about my dream and felt happy I had talked to him about it, but then I put it out of my mind. Two weeks later, I got an email from John saying that he really enjoyed meeting me and really appreciated me telling him about my dream of becoming a journalist. He then explained that he had been thinking about doing a radio type program about issues facing people with disabilities. I will never forget the very next sentence for the rest of my life..."I think you would be the perfect person to be the host". I BURST into tears and couldn't contain my happiness! I may have even screamed! That day, in November 2009, my life was changed. As I got to know John and interview him over the past few years, I found that he has worked for decades, helping others like me, change their lives for the better! We all love him for it, too!
So, now, it's my turn to be John's cheerleader as he goes on to accomplish more great things for people with disabilities in his next venture. Being the "key" to many more doors of opportunity that need to be unlocked, and more hearts and lives being touched through his willingness to lend a hand to a person in need of a dream realized!
Michelle Fischer is host of A View from My Window, a podcast produced, by The Arc of Indiana
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