Spring breaknon-bonanza
March 23, 2008
I just got back from spring break, and I have to say that it was amazing. I went on anotherASB trip, this time to New Hampshire to Crotched Mountain, which was an organization dedicated to support individuals with disabilities, and I am so glad I picked that trip to go to. One of the main reasons I decided to go on this trip was because I have an irrationalfear/discomfort around those with disabilities, and I really just wanted to face it head on. I know that there's really nothing to be afraid of, and I felt hypocritical not accepting those with disabilities, especially when I'vebeen on this tirade for equality and acceptance of diversity. It just seemed fitting for my last ASB trip to really be something I knew I had to deal with personally.
The kids I worked with were amazing. They were so smart, open, accepting, and everything that you wouldn't think if you didn't spend your day to day lives with them. When people think of disabilities, they tend to think of them as less than themselves, but in many aspects they were much more. They weren't afraid to show their real emotions, or openly show their affections. I noticed how easily they were excited by things, and I wished thatI could do the same. They really were amazing kids, and I'm so glad that I got to spend my spring break with them, learn from them, and know them for who they really are.
Despite all that, though, I know I still have a lot of things togain from them. I'm trying to see if I could go back and stay with them for some time over the summer. Hopefully things will work out, but we'll see.
I didn't get to take any pictures with the kids, but here's our group. They were awesome
I know that I'll miss ASB so much, and I'm pretty sure that my participation in it is one of the best things I've done in college. I've grown so much through my trips and really stepped out of my bubble to learn things and be more independent. *sigh* I only hope that I'll end upgetting accepted to anAmericorps program, because I feel like I have so much more to do and learn before I step into the real adult world...scary.
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