Weston’s Story
I thought it would be interesting to catch up with JoQueta as she is ready to launch a program she calls COB, which means Creating change, Offering hope, and Building new relationships. If you remember, JoQueta is/was Weston’s speech pathologist, and the first person who really convinced me in a tangible way that Weston was not mentally retarded, but just had a very unique learning style. It was difficult to believe what she was telling me at first, and I just let her “do her thing” with Weston during therapy sessions for a number of months and didn’t ask too many questions. I was just thrilled that someone was finally giving me good news about Weston and I didn’t want to “rock the boat” by asking too many questions or details. I have said before that at the time it was more important to my sanity that I believe what she was telling me, though actually seeing her work with him was a little too risky for me for about six months because I was afraid he would perform like he did for everyone else and my only “silver lining” would be gone.
Well, I am happy to say that Weston has come a long way since first working with JoQueta all those years ago. She will say that though she did not realize it at the time, Weston was communicating to her telepathically all along. I laugh at how foolish we must have seemed to him trying to get him to “use his words” when he was doing so all along. Below is an interview I conducted with JoQueta to allow her to tell us what is going on now with her and Weston.
1. How did Weston influence you to form COB ("Creating change, Offering hope, and Building new relationships)?
COB stands for Creating change, Offering hope and Building new relationships. That is exactly what Weston taught me. He showed me how to look at learning challenged children as “not broken” but as our gift to explore new ways of learning and thinking. By doing this, a new perspective is created with our education system; a system that is broken and in desperate need of change. Weston gave me the perspective that is the basis of my work today with children, and is the foundation of the COB perspective.
2. Where has COB been launched?
COB has not officially launched. We have completed our landing page which is available with a video explaining the details about the purpose of the website. The landing page is www.cobcommunity.org. If give us your name and email through the landing page that will generate an automatic notification as soon as the website is completed. Targeted launch date for the website is March 2010.
3. Does Weston continue to work with you in regards to COB?
He definitely checks in on me from time to time. According to Chris Marmes, he said I am on track and focused on the task at hand, so he doesn’t need to give me direction on a consistent basis. Weston worked one on one with me weekly for 5 years and then continued to give me direction almost monthly for another 3 years. I guess there comes that time in every student’s life when you have to spread your wings and fly to show what you have learned. I think that is where Weston and I are right now. I am spreading my wings to show all that he has taught me. I hope that he continues to be proud of his student.
4. What role do you see COB playing with children like Weston.
I see COB being a revolution for change for children like Weston. The COB community is a call to action and a place where parents can lead the revolution for change. In working with learning-challenged children for the past two decades, I have found that their parents have three things in common: - You have a need to feel hope - You can easily be pushed into a place of fear - You have amazing ideas.
On a daily basis, parents are surrounded by teachers and professionals telling you what your child can’t do. On a daily basis, I hear the struggles parents are facing in trying to manage nutrition, education and daily needs for your children. On a daily basis, I hear parents share amazing ideas and passions. Parents know what their children need. Parents know what their children are capable of, but they feel trapped by the limitations of public education and lack of available resources. So, I am inviting them to step out of this space of frustration and get aligned with people ... other parents and professionals who share their passions and challenges. I am inviting you to build a community with me. It is my intention that in coming together, we will: - Inspire hope - Create change - Build new relationships.
5. What are some of the support services offered by COB?
COB is a Web based community dedicated to provide three different areas of support to the community. The primary foundation is the COB community. Through small groups parents have the opportunity to connect with other parents in their local area, forming a “COB community.” Through the website, parents will have access to workbooks in the form of downloadable PDF documents, MP3 recordings, and CD’s. This is the foundation for the blue print. The second area of services is to provide a forum for increased awareness through the publication of stories, magazines and yearly bi-coastal conferences. The third area is a “neighborhood” arena to distribute information, display products, and join forces with like-minded vendors.
I have also started the first COB model school. So the strategies and information you will be receiving through the website are being implemented right now with a certified Montessori teacher and support staff. After the first of the year, I will start the first COB community parent small group here in Orange County. So that by the time the website launches, all the components of the website, will be actively being used, on both a school and community level.
6. Where can people find out more about COB?
The landing page is a great place to start. www.cobcommunity.org. If you are in the Orange County area, come join our first official COB small group or I will be happy to help you get a small group started in your area. The time for change is now. Through parents, teachers, and other professionals, we can create that change.
I wanted to share this information about JoQueta and COB with the recipients of the newsletter as I know many of you are teachers, administrators, psychologists, counselors, etc., and have a strong interest. Look for more information in upcoming newsletters about the schools.
Of course, I had to take this opportunity to get some feedback from Weston regarding JoQueta and the work she is doing. Below are a few questions I posed to him as “voiced” by Meg Lupin....
1. Tell me how you have been working with JoQueta as compared to how you work with Meg Lupin?
There really is no difference except in the ways that people in general want to hear me and others like me. She has a knowing from me. JoQueta has faith in me and that is why she is able to take the ideas and information that I give her and put it into action. Many of the school systems will be using tools she will be developing with me. Hold onto your hat JoQueta!
2. What are some of the things you want to see come out of your collaboration with JoQueta?
I want to help guide her to help inspire some the changes that need to take place in the schools and in the assistance of differently- abled kids. JoQueta understands and can see “outside of the box” which is vital to be effective.
3. I have often said that your story begins with JoQueta and hers begins with you. Is there something you want everyone to know about JoQueta and why you chose to work with her?
JoQueta is very willing to look differently at the big picture. If something doesn’t work, she tries other techniques. She knows that each person is an individual so the success rate for any given process depends on the child ability to access that way of working. This is essential for teachers, counselors, educators, and therapists. JoQueta will go where she needs to so she can help the children. She is dedicated to finding solutions that work in this new paradigm of children.
To read past newsletters go to Weston’s website at www.westonschmier.com
Messages from Weston
“Voiced” by Meg Lupin
Time has come! We all need to move forward in our visions. Sitting at home and wishing things were different is not productive. Get on your path now. Move forward by just looking at some of the things you are interested in. Use your spare time productively. Know that when you make up your mind to move forward, what you accomplish will blow your mind. Intention is very powerful. You will be rewarded for doing service!
Use this holiday season to give thanks for all you have. You are blessed! Now we need to use this to help others to move forward with us. Keep love in your heart for everyone. Mend all hurts this season and get prepared for an incredible new year, filled with expansions beyond your wildest dreams!
Lovingly,
Weston
Update from Meg Lupin
Weston wants everyone to know that the teleconferences are touching the hearts of the participants but also the people around them. The grid is expanding rapidly. We have instantaneous peace in the grid. Our troubles are melting away. They will seem like an illusion.
Weston has made it possible for some people to be on the call that really need to be there. One person sent me an email after the call and said that she wanted to send questions but it didn’t matter because all of the things we talked about on the call were happening in her house and her work. She was so grateful to get the solutions.
Another person was trying to get some other things done while listening and Weston had other ideas. This is what she wrote about what happened. “I was up in my office--which is in my attic--and I was listening to the teleconference but also doing other things on the computer. The lights flickered once...and I continued. Then the computer turned off. I turned it back on and thought--I wonder if this is him...then the computer turned off for the 2nd time...and being stubborn as I am..I turned it back on ...and it was only on a short time and the computer and all the lights went off...lol...so I didn't turn the computer back on and just went downstairs and listened to the remainder of the teleconference ...and the lights or computer never went out again...lol...I guess Weston was trying to make a point...” Thanks, Sandy! He doesn’t take later or no for an answer.
Weston is moving us all forward so we can become the people that we are meant to be. Beautiful, compassionate and loving service oriented people that can make a difference in the world. Please join us.
Q&A with Weston
1. Rita asks what we can do to try and be less "linear?" (referring to what you talked about last week).
Practice hallucinating. I am serious. Imagination is what keeps us from staying in the linear mode. Imagine yourself at the beach with a breeze blowing on you when you are in a snowstorm. If you can imagine that all things, and I mean all things are possible, you are on your way. Meditation helps this process too. When you are praying it also helps. Try to stay out of negativity. If you have to perform linear activities for work, make sure when you come home you debrief yourself by moving into a space of all possibilities.
2. At the end of the teleconference this past week suddenly all the participants were able to hear each other say "good-bye" at the end of the conference; something that Tom says usually doesn’t happen when everyone talks at the same time. Did you do this? If so, how are you able to manipulate energy so easily?
It is something that I am still working on. Energy is easy to manipulate. It just takes practice. It was important for everyone to hear each other say good-bye so I made it happen.
3. Anything you want to share with those who were unable to make the teleconference?
The teleconferences are helping with true transformation. There is a lot of healing energy that is exchanged. The information, meditations and processes that we do on the calls will make your life and your love one’s lives better. Many people are listening to them later while they are on walks or just want to meditate.
4. Finally, we met a new person this week (Judy) who it appears you were very excited about meeting. The night before the anticipated meeting, you were very loud (laughing and talking) and me and your dad noticed how excited you were. Was it because you were excited about your meeting the next day? What was so important?
Yes I was excited. I know we are getting closer to more exposure. This means we are closer to getting the resources that we need to turn our large vision into a reality. We are all one. We need to prove it. I am collecting more of the people that are willing to move forward to help the world and the community. Both of those women are part of the vision. Amazing people!