I feel pretty lucky lately. I feel like there are so many things that have gone my way and have gone well. Pretty much everything that I've done this year has been via a strong sense of leadership or a singular sense of improving self. But why should I feel lucky to have autism? Here are 5 TOP reasons why I shouldn't change it ever.
5: I am able to have an innumerable amount of energy: When I get stronger from my energy quotient, it is often when it's longer into the day. But even in the morning, I feel quite energized as long as I have my coffee and medications. Energy is something that I feel has helped me out in so many ways, from sports to leadership. It makes me stronger in everything, including conquering fears.
4: I am able to do plenty of leadership things I wouldn't probably otherwise be able to: I am on the Developmental Disabilities Council, am involved with the Self-Advocacy Leadership Network, have done Special Olympics in some capacity since age 11, have started a club on campus, have been involved in Advocacy Day and CID, and the list can probably continue on and on if I let it. Most of the things I've done in the community and even some in the Boise State community has been a result of my autism. My autism has strengthened my scope of leadership and it has made me see plenty of progress in peoples attitudes as a result.
3: I have a lot of interesting friends that for many of them I wouldn't meet otherwise: Most of my good friends I've accumulated other than school or church are Special Olympians, colleagues, or people involved in leadership-related advocacy things. They are people I consider some of the most fascinating and friendly people that I could ever ask for. I am proud to call them and my roommate friends and I not surely would've met a lot of them otherwise.
2: Being on medications enable me to get a lot of exercise and meet interesting people on the BUS: I am able to be around my surroundings and be able to get a lot of thought changing and be able to finalize thinking on my walks and I get a lot of prayer done then. I also know a majority of the BUS drivers well and meet plenty of people who talk to me when I get off the BUS often. People don't always know a person's story but my empathy and compassion makes me see people for what they are and how the approach me, whether on the BUS or elsewhere can seriously make me stop and ponder. And the exercise perk of not driving a car is pretty wonderful too.
1: Self-direction: My support workers all understand me. I am able to be pretty close to independent with some things to work on finalizing and my broker is wonderful- one of the best people I've ever met. My friends are interconnected in this and I feel great like I can do the things I need to do well and have some excellent people in my life. It is the best thing to happen to me.
These are some of the at least 20 reasons why if someone offered me a magic pill to eradicate my autism, I would say "I refuse" my autism is journey is summed up in one sentence uttered at the beginning of my activism career: "I wouldn't trade my disability for anything."
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