More Than A Token

In my life, there have been many items of experiences where I have been the only person with autism. Either that or there is one other person who experiences short-lived experience in that kind of environment and then  fades out. Too often to some people, it would seem like they're a token, a kind of a person that is there just to equate to the status quo and try to fit in and not find anybody to do so when they're in that kind of arena. However, in church at Southminster, in my events with my Christian friends at Boise State, in the arena of the REC Center, in work at Albertson's, and in my Communication classes at Boise State, I feel accepted fully and I feel like I belong. I feel like there is a peace of me where I can fit in anywhere without really trying too hard and a piece of me that feels strengthened by odd-ball choices for jobs for an individual with autism (retail and car wash have been my only paid jobs), career paths (Communications, Leadership, and Public Relations with the goal of working in a non-profit is ambitious for anybody, someone who has autism it is practically unheard of besides me), activities (mainstreamed sports, dancing, progressive-thinking church items, being with numerous friends, supporting various campus organizations, being in school, crafting). These types of things people think I'm crazy for participating in as often as I do. I don't really care. There are too many stereotypes of autism that are perpetuated that I for years have tried to break down and avoid. Some of the biggest ones are "like Rain Man" and "similar to Temple Grandin". Though I think that in the next few years, comparisons will inevitably come to the rare autistic who is highlighted on TV for his sports, such as J-Mac (Jason McElwain, the manager who hit 6 threes when he suited up, comparisons will probably not come here, partially because I'm in my last year of basketball and partially because I'm a regular player and a Center/Forward), Cody Marzo (the autistic surfer, if he was more well-known, comparisons might come up because he loves the water and because I do and swimming is my fave sport and will be for the rest of my life, but that is where it ends), Rube Waddell (Hall of Fame pitcher who was thought to have autism, I've never pitched in a regulation non-Challenger game and this is my last year of softball anyway). So overall, I have many stereotypes to break down and mold into a person that is a brand-new, exceptionally rare breed. I am in my last 1 1/2 years of college and will be graduating with nearly the same Grade Point as in High School with 10 X as much items on my plate (B average or slightly above in both if all goes well in college the rest of the way, I think that's impressive because it shows drive, good decision-making, good work with hard professors as I will have had most of the toughest Communication professors at Boise State and will have gotten A's or B's in all Communication classes except 3, not to mention my B+, A, or A+ track-record for my Leadership minor and my adequate core record). And in most of the items, besides a select few, I am  often looked at as an ambassador, a pillar, a leader, and a friend to many. I am also looked at as a unique person in that I can structure pieces of how my life can be fully strengthened by my experiences with individuals of any kind, people with differing abilities, people with autism, or people who are in the mainstream section of various items. I may be the only one often-times, but I'm no token, I'm no person who is there just to have one. I'm more than a token: I'm involved, I'm participating, and I'm making all the things I do better. And that's just what the world needs.