2/23/2018
I am just an eleven
year old child on an extraordinary journey through time.
The journey has placed
me in amazing places. This weekend brings a new one of these places to
me. I am in Atlanta, Georgia, peach capital of the U.S.A. Why? You
may ask, because I am attending the Innovations in Education conference.
A two day event dedicated to a new way of viewing and educating Autism.
I started this trip in San Diego. My mother and I, by ourselves,
boarded a plane that took us to Atlanta. At the airport, we noticed that
other letter boarders or their families were attending too. We boarded
the flight and sat behind Brandon an older teenager that like me uses a letter
board.
We had an easy flight
with no major events. Then we landed and the adventure started. An
easy taxi ride turned into a scavenger hunt for the Uber pick-up area. I almost
fainted when I saw how far we had to go. Our first driver was from
Nigeria a friendly man who cooks and loves his family. I enjoyed his
stories about all people knowing how to cook in Nigeria. He was a funny
man.
We arrived at the
hotel, a fancy place where many young adults were getting ready to go out; it
was a blast. Then we found our lobby and our room. I was so happy
to get in bed. Sweet dreams for me.
2/24/2018
First day of the
conference. We woke up with no time to spare. A minute too
late. We had breakfast at the hotel and then took a taxi to the
conference.
We went straight in
with a pit stop to pick up our name badges. Dr. Edlyn Pena was presenting
her story, a wonderful narrative about a mother's love and dedication.
All day, one after another, speakers and self advocates took turns sharing
their stories and knowledge. I enjoyed each one of them.
At lunch, we sat with
another family, an older teenager and his mom. I got to learn from him
and his journey through his mom. I also go to meet other kids like me and
gave them my card.
In the afternoon there
were more talks and advocates all praising inclusion. In the evening I went to
dinner with mom to Chipotle and, after a quick stop at the hotel, we went to a
dance at Georgia Tech Student Center. To get there we were going to take a taxi
but ended up walking. On our way there we found a snake, it was small and
cute.
At the dance we had a
blast my mom and I danced to the music and I had fun with my new friends. All
night long I felt grateful for the opportunity to be here. I took an Uber
back and called it a night.
2/25/2018
On Sunday we woke up
on time and had breakfast in our room. How wonderful to have this
time with my mom. We rode to the conference on an Uber, it was raining
cats and dogs.
The day before we lost
an iPad. Today it was sitting on a desk just where we left it. I
always knew it would be ok. Our community is like family, no one would
ever take it, it is someone's voice.
Morning conferences
were beyond inspirational. It took my breath away to see the road
ahead of me and how others have paved it for me.
I am excited to
announce I even made it on a panel: 35 self advocates answering questions,
it was an amazing energetic shift in the universe around us. I wanted to
stay there forever, on a panel with people who get me. It was an hour of
insight and love. I almost died when I noticed I was sitting next to
Dillan! There wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was extraordinary.
Afterwards a talented
violinist played a beautiful piece and dedicated a song to the HIRSCH
Academy.
I am so honored to
have been a part of it all. I was elated with Joy.
I am now on the plane
on my way home filled with inspiration and excitement. How many things to
process. How many ideas to create new opportunities. The sky is the
limit for our non-speaking community.
