Many of you might
think that this statement is directed toward people
with autism. But looking closer, it’s really
more about those of us who are volunteering:
“we reach
inside ourselves to embrace our flaws, gather our
strengths, and offer our love…” it says.
This is a challenge
for everyone, and especially for someone with as
many flaws as me. Flaws that perhaps I can see more
clearly than anyone … Or perhaps not! At least,
flaws that dog me as I look for the self confidence
I need to do what I am here to do. This statement
asks me to embrace them. And so I do.
The mission says,
“autistic and neuro-normal people alike can
work toward self- realization” I am being
asked to work toward self realization. And so I
do.
This is the gift that volunteering with KindTree
has given to me. To find the power inside myself
to reach out and do good things. To understand that
everyone has challenges that stretch our abilities,
that everyone can and does fail at some point, and
that it is our friends and loved ones – our
community of neighbors – that provide the
support we need to keep going when things get rough.
So many of you
already know these things. But it took Michelle
Jones and Steve Brown to offer me the opportunity
to learn. It took Cheryl Nel Applegate and Mary-Minn
Sirag to model the love and patience and honesty
that I, too, can give. And it took Pam Ring, and
Margaret Theisen, and Elizabeth Gerlach, and Kitty
Piercy, and Jeremy and Nick and Andy and Tyron and
Josh and Frank and T R and so many more to shine
their light on me so that I, too, could glow brighter.
This is what we all do. It is so great to be a part
of it.
Thanks to them,
and thanks to you all."
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