Special Needs Reflection

Going to AFI has probably been one of the most fun things that I have done so far this semester. I loved every minute of it from the time I arrived. The whole atmosphere is so calming and welcoming. One of the greatest things that I appreciated at AFI was that the staff, teachers, and clients do not talk down to one another. They treat each other like colleagues no matter the level or type of disability that they have. It was great to see people learning sign language and road signs all the way up to those who have personal Facebook pages and can read just as well as I can all at the same facility. It really seemed natural for them all. I wish that there was a way to get more special needs people mainstreamed with help so that they could be in more workplaces. They are such wonderful additions and we often tend to send them to special places to get the help that they need. It would be so nice to accommodate them more because it would be a win-win, I think.

I have babysat a lot of special needs children and was actually in a special needs math class during my Freshman year of high school. I went to a school with mostly special needs students when I was in the eighth grade and had a blast, but it has been a while. The Boys Nextdoor helped me to remember just how much fun and joy it brings me to be around those who have special needs. I love the way they accommodate everyone and they are so accepting of each other and those around them. They are the least judgmental people and that is probably because they have been judged and ridiculed a lot.

I would say that The Boys Next Door prepared me for AFI. It reminded me of the joys and pains of having special needs in a world full of people who think they are the normal ones. At AFI, I didn't feel emotional at all unless I was thinking about the client's home lives. I think it had to do with Barry and his relationship with his father. That experience from The Boys Next Door was so real to me because I have seen it happen first hand. A friend of mine had terrets in High School and she got so made fun of that she didn't want to sing in our choir anymore. She withdrew from all of her friends. I can't believe that any dad would treat their sun like Barry's father did.

I am so thankful for AFI because at least for those who do have bad home lives, they can come to a safe place for at least a little while every day. I can't imagine not having somewhere to go every day. It would be miserable to sit at home and just watch TV. It would be miserable to stop learning and growing as an individual. I am so thankful that there are opportunities like AFI in our community for those with special needs to become more educated and to learn the things that they want to learn.