Life lessons

I'm working this weekend. Today I was sent to cover Special Olympics. The photo intern and I decided the best thing to cover would be a softball game. Amy hung out by the field gate and shot whatever she shot, and I talked to some players and coaches. I was a skosh worried. Luckily, most of them were reasonably communicative.

I approached one coach and asked if I could talk to his players. He pointed me to Ben. Ben is 25 and very clearly developmentally disabled. I reached out to shake his hand and introduce myself. He smiled and said, "You're nice!" and folded me into a gargantuan hug.

So we chatted for a little bit, and I went to shake his hand and say thank you. He grinned and said "You're nice!" He looked at his mom and pointed at me and said "She's really nice!" And then he gave me another gargantuan hug.

In 5 minutes, he made my day and taught me a helluva lot. I hope it's a good while before I forget it.

Candy

I know it was rewarding for you! I did some work with special olympics one time and I was a hugger for the runners. wow! it was just wonderful!

(((((((((((((candybear))))))))))))))))

Isn't that right there in the top 5 of "feel good" moments???

I've always been a champion of those with developmental disabilities. But it wasn't until about 4 years ago when I finally changed my life and began working with them in a support scenario.

In my work at the newspaper, I contracted individuals to deliver a weekly flyer. I had the privledge of meeting and contracting a couple of folks with disabilities to do small routes. They were an absolute joy to work with. They are the hardest workers and never complain and never wimp out.

One day (which was my defining "aha" moment) I was interviewing a young man with autism. He was non-verbal. He was accompanied by his support provider and her supervisor. I spoke with the young man and explained what his duties would be, how much he would be compensated for his work and what his hours would be. He sat and smiled at me, drooled everywhere and made some excited kind of sounds.

When it came time to signing his contract, he couldn't sign his name, but was able to place an X on the signature line. The other women with him signed the contract also.

As we were leaving our little conference room and saying goodbye, this young man came up behind me and gave me the biggest bearhug I'd ever had in my life!!!!!!!!!!!! His support provider and supervisor nearly fell off their feet when he did this, as he doesn't like physcial touch and this was completely out of the norm for him to do.

As they walked away to leave, I was left standing there with tears running down my cheek. I realized I had made a huge difference in this young mans life by giving him the opportunity to do what everyone has a right to do, and that's to work and feel like a member of this human race.

My "aha" moment was that I was in the wrong business and needed to be working with these wonderful folks. I immediately went to the agency and submitted my resume. I got the job And it's been awesome and fulfilling more than I could have imagined!

Sorry this is so long and I don't mean to hijack your thread. I just wanted to share with you and let you know I understand how you feel!


sabby