From Audrey - Wyoming, Jackson

I had never participated in couch surfing before. I remembered hearing about it from a friend in passing conversation and then recently, needing a place to stay for a few nights, it popped into my head and I decided to check it out. I created a profile and checked out hosts in the Chicago area. The information provided on the couch surfing site is very detailed, enough to make a confident decision about who to stay with. Annie was one of two people I messaged asking to couch surf and was the one available to host.
I didn’t really know what to expect with this whole event of couch surfing. Many questions racing through my mind as I awaited our meeting one another. What if it is a really awkward situation? Will she be easy to talk to? What will her place look like? Will I feel like an inconvenience? To my surprise I knew very shortly after I first met Annie that it was going to be a good experience all around.
I first went to the student center at the University in Chicago where Annie works to meet up with her. My nerves were subdued immediately as she made me feel right at home bringing me into her office and introducing me to her co-workers and her work environment. She explained thoroughly all she does in disability services at the college. Annie showed me what it was like to use public transportation as an individual with a disability, explaining things that would have never occurred to me. It felt like I was constantly learning while spending time with Annie. She has a vast knowledge in many areas. I learned about discrimination going on inside at the state level, what it would be like to be a writer with a low profile, all about her disability and SO many other interesting things.
Staying with Annie was a joy and I felt as if I knew her long before I even met her. She made me feel comfortable and welcome in her lovely downtown apartment. I am so grateful for her opening up her life to me. I was also able to meet family and friends who where also amazing. Annie and I had the opportunity to help a couple individuals in need on the streets of Chicago which was awesome to see how much more she could help them because of the organization, 3elove, she is the founder of.
As you can see my first ever couch surfing experience has been life changing and now very tough to beat. I will continue to look for more couch surfing opportunities because I believe it to be a very unique and enlightening opportunity. I feel privileged to know Annie and have the time with her that I did. Go couch surfing!

From Joe Joe - Louisville, KY

You'll have to forgive any nature of this piece that you find lacking, for this was a product of happenstance. Keeping that in mind, I'll proceed to tell you about a very charming, eloquent and thoughtful person that I met in September(?) named Annie. However, I feel in order to I'll preface the events in order to better contextualize. We were in town for the weekend this past September for the satisfaction of seeing a touring band play at the Metro. We utilized the ingenuity of the couchsurfing project and, subsequently, were warmly received by Steve and his humble abode. Not only were we greeted by an awesome doggy upon arrival, but also by Steve's
friend, Annie.

From the moment we arrived the whole of us engaged in unique and truly interesting conversation. Annie didn't wear her disability on her sleeve, yet she never shied away from any regarding topic. While I have met, even worked alongside, many persons of all walks of life, it was mainly due to circumstances that required our full focus to be elsewhere (i.e. work, what have you.) My experience with Annie was the first of its kind, because our circumstances existed purely for the sake of amiable introduction and ice breaking conversation.

Annie opened my eyes to a lot by her perspective and talking about herself and her amazing life. I was previously unaware of first-hand portrayals of the daily grind that is living with a disability. This is probably because my lack of prior heart to hearts with a person of disability. It was a pleasure and eye opener to have had the opportunity to share life stories with Annie. She is impressive in both mind and heart. I'm grateful to couchsurfing and couchsurferslike Steve because of this very reason.

A good memory of mine was of our conversation about social activism, preceded by a comment Annie had made saying she couldn't see the show with us because of the venue's lack of disability access. We were disappointed by this for two reasons: one, in our
hometown (Louisville, KY.-represent!) most places meet protocol and thus have legit access; and two, because my group of friends and I were looking forward to bonding with our hosts and company. I asked Annie if she encounters that on a regular and she responded by telling us about her success in a similar situation. I don't remember the details, but from what I can recall it had to do with implementing change regarding a curb or something along those lines by making it more accessible. (Like I said earlier, forgive any haze. It is what it is). I think that story was pretty awesome and heart warming.

So that about sums up my opinion of Annie's character. In short, she opened my eyes and taught me brave newthings. I was mostly in love with her smile.

P.S. I will be up your way sometime in December. Leave me a contact if you want to get in touch. If not I'll give you a heads up beforehand.

Peace and love,
joejoe