A Special Graduation
It's so interesting to watch students as they handle their moment in the limelight at a graduation ceremony. Whether it's the achievement of finishing elementary, high school or college/university, they all walk across the stage alone to receive their diploma. Some walk with confidence, others with trepidation, yet all are proud of their achievements up to that moment. There is such optimism in the air for the unknown future. Little attention is given to all the effort and support that has gone into getting them to this particular moment of time. Yet for some, each minute of each day takes supreme effort and support from others.
Last week a Grade eight girl received her diploma from a wheelchair. Born with multiple disabilities, I have never seen her without the constant support and assistance from EA's at our school. On Graduation night, she was lifted onto the stage and sat in her wheelchair ready for the processional. When her name was called and her chair was pushed to center stage, I watched as she was lifted to a standing position and supported to receive her diploma. I suddenly saw a proud, young girl instead of someone with disabilities in a wheelchair.
This girl was more than someone blind with autism who constantly needed help. She was suddenly a Grade eight student whose parents and teachers were proud that she was graduating. Her accomplishments were unique to her. The other students had passed the milestone of standing years before. It would be easy to overlook this as being great until you saw the effort going into it. As we all watched in silence, you could not miss the fact that this was monumental. Applause broke out and tears came to my eyes. None of this could have been accomplished alone and we were celebrating a very special girl.
This girl probably had many of the same desires as the other girls her age; to go to school and have friends, to learn new things and gain more independence. If she was unaware of those dreams, her parents would have had to release them for her. From birth, her path had been different. I saw the pain of lost dreams, along with the effort that had gone into what we were celebrating.
As I watch my cousin who is in a wheelchair with ALS losing her accomplishments and abilities, I realize the similarities of perception. It's too easy to see the wheelchair and the limitations. Lou Gerig's disease works to reverse all growth and gains of the past. It takes more effort to see the person inside rather than the limitations and all the assisting devices.
As with any disease or disability, I don't want to forget to celebrate the daily accomplishments. We can focus on what can't be, especially when we compare things to the past, or we can focus on what is. I want to celebrate what can be accomplished when we all work together as a supportive community, never losing sight of the special unique person inside.
Last week a Grade eight girl received her diploma from a wheelchair. Born with multiple disabilities, I have never seen her without the constant support and assistance from EA's at our school. On Graduation night, she was lifted onto the stage and sat in her wheelchair ready for the processional. When her name was called and her chair was pushed to center stage, I watched as she was lifted to a standing position and supported to receive her diploma. I suddenly saw a proud, young girl instead of someone with disabilities in a wheelchair.
This girl was more than someone blind with autism who constantly needed help. She was suddenly a Grade eight student whose parents and teachers were proud that she was graduating. Her accomplishments were unique to her. The other students had passed the milestone of standing years before. It would be easy to overlook this as being great until you saw the effort going into it. As we all watched in silence, you could not miss the fact that this was monumental. Applause broke out and tears came to my eyes. None of this could have been accomplished alone and we were celebrating a very special girl.
This girl probably had many of the same desires as the other girls her age; to go to school and have friends, to learn new things and gain more independence. If she was unaware of those dreams, her parents would have had to release them for her. From birth, her path had been different. I saw the pain of lost dreams, along with the effort that had gone into what we were celebrating.
As I watch my cousin who is in a wheelchair with ALS losing her accomplishments and abilities, I realize the similarities of perception. It's too easy to see the wheelchair and the limitations. Lou Gerig's disease works to reverse all growth and gains of the past. It takes more effort to see the person inside rather than the limitations and all the assisting devices.
As with any disease or disability, I don't want to forget to celebrate the daily accomplishments. We can focus on what can't be, especially when we compare things to the past, or we can focus on what is. I want to celebrate what can be accomplished when we all work together as a supportive community, never losing sight of the special unique person inside.
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