NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD

I often have wondered about nonspeakers having lives that are somehow perceived as meaningful and worthy. I have just had minor dreams of what that recognition would look like. Who would be there, what would be said, how would it all unfold.

I thought that day was way far out for me personally but was hoping to participate in something that was a celebration of pushing the limits. I witnessed an incredible batch of my seniors graduating high school, the first of a kind. I read about Elizabeth Bonker and her commencement speech that put a nonspeaker on a world stage. And other,very worthy accomplishments.

What I have done seems insignificant in comparison. And yet the dream team that are my parents and the reservoir of love and acceptance that are the people that read my posts have catapulted me into the recipient of an award that had several other incredible achievers being nominated. The nomination video made me dizzy with inspiration.

The night was beyond my wildest dreams and the collective achievements of everyone that was celebrated was as bright as the sun that was setting at that time and the other stars that were lighting up the night sky. My family and I felt so much love in a foreign country that the people in that room felt like those we had known for a long time. The connection was instantaneous.

It was very meaningful for me to follow Elizabeth Bonker as an award recipient on that night. I have a long way to go in body, mind and spirit but I am grateful for the opportunities to talk about our tribe to the world. That cannot and does not need to wait. More power to other voices that stretch limits of possibilities.