Yeah, I know what your thinking! Star Wars!!! The fact is that its way deeper than star wars and to be frank, I am not a fan of science fiction, but this title fits. There is a first for everything and those first's that people have are important. The first of this particular event must stay with me. It was a happy first and it was a right of passage.
This past week I was at a Transition conference for youth with disabilities ranging in age from 16 to 28. There was a variety of disabilities including anything from a simple reading disability, to down syndrome and autism, to individuals in wheelchairs unable to speak. We were all on a level playing field and learned a lot.
This conference is like school and vacation put together. You step foot in the conference center and watch as wheelchairs zoom by you and kids walking through the hallways with their parents, clearly disabled, but yet so perfect in God's eyes. I walked in and I didn't feel different, but weight came off my chest because I was so similar to all the youth attending the conference. We all receive any of the accommodations that our IEP or our college has put in place for us. The playing field is equal. If we need enlarged print for somethings, thats okay.
The point of the conference was to educate families and caregivers about the transition process and resources that are available to individuals with disabilities. There are keynote's and breakout sessions. Along with this, there is a youth program that only 16 kids are accepted into per year. I was fortunate enough to be accepted this year and not only did I learn a whole lot of new things, but I think I met some pretty cool new people and even made a new friend.
During the day youth learned about resources and empowerment and when night hit, it was time to network and party. No, really during the day we got down to business on a youth level and when evening hit we had some really cool activities planned. One of which was a dance and the other was a scavenger hunt that I unfortunately missed out on due to an exam.
On the first day of the conference I came into our conference room and was a social butterfly right off the bat. The first person I met was another individual with Asperger syndrome which was so cool because it was also a girl. We hit it off right away and within 5 minutes I knew we were going to be best friends. We enjoyed the conference for the day and at the end decided we needed to set up a dinner date for us and our mothers. You know, Aspie mothers have to connect also. It just so happens, that not only did we connect, and did our parents connect, but we are identical aspies in our parents eyes as well. When my mother called into check with my dad, since she decided she would continue hanging out with my friends mother during the dance, she described our time as Simply J on overdrive or twice Simply J. We were quite obnoxious, but my mother enjoyed I made a new friend.
That was kind of a big first in and of its self. We actually seriously thought about having a sleepover the first night and thought it was a good idea since we networked so well, but our parents begged to differ. Honestly can you blame us, since it takes a lot to connect with us. If we connect with someone, we CONNECT!!! It ended up turning out for the good as I was a Zombie by the end of the dance, but still! Come On!!!
Well, today came the really big first and it will be with me for a very long time. I, for the first time ever was asked to go on vacation to the beach with this individual. I was invited to go to Ocean City New Jersey. Man was I shocked. I have always gone on vacation with my parents, but I have never been asked by a friend. Growing up I always heard stories about kids going on vacations with their friends and my brother even has, but for me this was a right of passage. To be asked to go on vacation with a peer just like me!!! Gasp!!! I was shocked.
Unfortunately this first had to be declined purely because I have a college class I am currently attending. I really didn't want to leave the class for too long because I need to get a good grade. This fall on the other hand, we are planning on getting together for a weekend. We may even hang out this coming summer. Right now, I need to keep my head up and look to the future. I need to see this friendship as something that is blossoming and good be a friend well into adulthood. Time will tell as distance hurts!!! No matter what we can communicate through facebook and phone!!! Thank God!!! :)
