Friday 1 April 2016

My Defining Moment

A defining moment is something that helped shape you into the person you are today. I was 13 when I met Travis, and that day has changed my life. Travis is 26 years old and has autism. My dad started being one of his caretakers about 3 years ago. I remember my dad asking me if I wanted to go for a car ride with him and Travis. My dad first started working with Travis in the beginning of 2013, and I remember climbing into the back seat of the car and my dad introducing us. Travis smiled a big smile (with a front tooth missing because of a mishap that happened a few years ago) and all he said was "hi". Travis has a way of saying hi that is different from everyone else, and every time I hear him say it I just feel so happy. Travis can't string full sentences together, but he has a way of getting his point across, and anyone that has worked with him for a while knows what he wants when he wants it. Just because he doesn't have a very large vocabulary, doesn't mean he can't understand something said to him. If you ask him a yes or no question, he'll answer it with ease. If you ask him to do something, he can usually do it. He's done so much for my entire family, he's brought so much light into our lives, and at this point I can't imagine what it would be like to not have him in my life. People say that what I have with Travis is special, and after meeting Travis I started working with the Orangeville Wolves, the special needs hockey team. Without meeting Travis, I wouldn't have realized how much I enjoyed working with special needs people, and I never would have met a lot of the people I know today.

6 comments:

  1. This is very inspiring. I don't have a lot of experience working with special needs people, but from the little that I do, I know it take an incredible amount of patience and perseverance. I have so much respect for you and your family for taking so much personal time to make Travis' life better! Do you have a favourite moment with Travis that you would be willing to share?

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    1. Thanks Laura! I have a lot of favourite moments with Travis, but I remember going to a camp with him and a big group of other special needs people and he wouldn't leave my side even though I wasn't his assistant for the day and it just showed me how I really have made an impact on him

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  2. I never really knew how close you were with Travis. Its really nice how your friendship has opened up opportunities to meet new people, and its great that you enjoy working with special needs people.

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  3. Special needs kids have their own unique way of inspiring us... They sure bring us a lot light in our world.. Some people don't give them a chance because of their disabilities but I am really glad you and Travis have become good friends. They too have many gifts that might not be recognized at first but once you discover them, you realize how beautiful they are. A connection I made with this blog post is that one of my best friends has autism and we actively hang out and enjoy spending time together...

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    1. They really do, I've learned more from the special needs people I know then anywhere else. Some people will give me disapproving looks when I'm with Travis, and I wish that they would give people a chance instead of judging them based on what issues or struggles they're facing.

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  4. Melanie, I'm glad that Travis has enriched your life. I am sure that you also have done that for him. Do you have plans in your future to work with students and adults with special needs?

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