nora's friends: summer 2015

Just some very important pictures of Nora with her best buddy, Brandon.  

fall fest 2013

Our school had its annual Fall Fest last weekend, and things took a turn for the adorable:

brandon the babysitter

always helping

anna + max

obviously this happened.

pals

why i love my job(s): part three

(Parts One and Two)



For my third (and final!) job, I hang out with this guy every day, and it's the best.  Some of our favorite activities include: eating ice cream, riding our tandem bike, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, and walking the dog.

why i love my job(s): part one

I have three jobs, and I love them all.

First things first, my "main" job.  My full-time job is at a school for students on the autism spectrum.  I work as an intervention specialist in the vocational program.  Our school (which is fabulous), has several different programs: the preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school are run on a 50/50 split: students on the autism spectrum to peer models.  Each of these run as a typical school with supports in place to promote success for the unique needs and strengths of people on the autism spectrum.

The vocational program (where I work) runs a bit differently.  My students are between the ages of 15 and 21, most are limited verbally or non-verbal and use various other means to communicate (iPad apps such as Proloquo2Go, Dynavox systems, sign language).  Our program focuses on preparing students as whole people to live complete and full lives.  We work on community involvement, job skills, social skills, self-management of behavior, as well as academic skills.

I love my students.  I am so grateful that I get to be a part of their successes, challenges, and lives.  They make me laugh, smile, think, and constantly re-evaluate.  Things that used to seem important, don't seem so important when I'm at work.  They keep me grounded.  They give me perspective.  They are truly a blessing in my life.  You can read more about how much I love my students here and here.

I love my co-workers.  I work with the most supportive, hilarious, weird group of people.  They make every day fun and are all so committed and passionate about supporting our students to meet their full potential.  Here's an example of how great they are:

I love my job.  It challenges me (daily multiple times every day).  It's my vocation: I feel like I'm doing what I am supposed to do in my little corner of the world.  I don't know anyone who looks forward to going to work more than I do.

how to successfully (and adorably) wash a car

Step One: Put the quarters in the machine.

 

Step Two: Rinse the car.

 

Step Three: Use the foam brush to add soap and scrub.

 

Step Four: Briefly get tangled in the hose.

 

Step Five: Extricate yourself from said hose.

 

Step Six: Rinse the car.

 Brandon is the best, you guys.

cultivating gratitude: episode three

We're excited for a summer of ice cream, tandem bike rides, swimming, and laughing.  I am so thankful for my job: mornings with my students, afternoons with my best bud.

 

 

me + brandon, field trip, may 2013

 

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you grateful for today? Leave me a note!

more than words

Today, this beautiful boy turns 20 years old.

 

I met Brandon when he was 3 and I was 8.  For years, we lived in the same neighborhood, then I baby sat him and his sister.  When I turned 18, I started working with Brandon as my full-time job.  One of the greatest gifts of my life is the countless hours I have been privileged to spend with Brandon.

Brandon is, without question, the best person I know.  Best, because there is nothing bad in him.  Brandon never intends to harm others, or hides who he is.  Brandon never judges, or gossips, or lies.  Brandon loves, constantly, with every fiber of his being.  Every day. Every minute. Brandon loves.  Wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and outwardly; Brandon shows his love all of the time.  Brandon's love is strong and joyful.  He makes people feel good, valuable, and necessary.  He does this in the way that he hugs, and laughs, and fits his head magically in the space between your neck and shoulder.

Brandon was put on this earth to teach people how to love, and he does it perfectly and beautifully.

Happy birthday, Brandon.  I love you more than words can say (which is okay, because you teach me how to love without words every day).

As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has—or ever will have—something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.

_{Fred Rogers}

different, not less

Today is World Autism Awareness Day.  April is Autism Awareness Month (also, it's National Pecan Month; you're welcome).  I don't want you to just be aware of autism.  I think we've accomplished that.  Everyone is at least peripherally aware of autism.  We've all heard the statistics: 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys.  We all know someone, or know someone who knows someone, whose child has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Frankly, I think being "aware" of autism is easy.  In fact, it would be pretty difficult to be unaware of it.  I think it's time to move past awareness to understanding.

People with autism live in a world that is at best, uncomfortable, and at worst, simply impossible.  It is a world not constructed to meet their specific needs, and more often than not, a world that does not attempt to understand them as an individual, as a person, as more than a diagnosis.

I'm done with Autism Awareness.  I'm ready for Autism Acceptance.  I know that autism is hard.  Really hard.  But I also know it comes with (often) hidden blessings.  Here are just a few.

My Top Three Favorite Things About Autism:

1. Many people with autism are completely transparent.  No games.  No ambiguity.  Complete and total honesty.   Want to know if you're having a bad hair day? Ask someone with autism.  Or don't ask, they might tell you anyway.
2. When many people with autism love, it is fiercely loyal.  Whether it is a TV show, a book, a character, a teacher, or a friend--you never lose their love and affection.
3. People with autism feel completely free to be themselves: you don't like it, they don't care. Authenticity is beautiful.

Understanding, not pity.
Appreciation, not simple awareness.
Different, not less.