Posted this in the Nest but wasn't able to tag you. Thought it might encourage you. And thank you forever for teaching me to presume competence!
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I'm writing this from the parking lot of Armstrong Garden Center because I can't wait to share this evidence that our kids are known, loved, and watched over. I've been a little overwhelmed about the future as Sam prepares to go to an adult transition program next year. There are so many unknowns. So I got the urge to go to the garden center this morning and get some fun stuff to plant outside Sam's bedroom window. I saw some young men watering the plants so I asked one of them if they had any honeysuckle. When I saw that he wasn't wearing an employee uniform and by the way that he spoke I realized that he might be autistic and here as part of some kind of program. BECAUSE OF S2C I PRESUMED COMPETENCE!! I wouldn't have known to do that before! He went to ask someone and he came back with a woman I knew!! She was one of Sam's preschool teachers and she is also a member of my church and now she works in the adult transition program at our local high school! (Currently Sam rides a bus to an autism school 30 minutes away.) She described the various activities they do as part of their program, including volunteering at Armstrong Garden Center! (And Sam LOVES that place!) As her students gathered around her, I continued to talk to the teacher but BECAUSE OF S2C I INCLUDED THE STUDENTS TALKED TO THEM LIKE THEY WERE PEOPLE! They were four big guys just like Sam and I could totally see Sam fitting in with them. They invited Sam to come and visit the class. They even take classes at the local community college which is something I know Sam will love. (College would have never crossed my mind before S2C.) This "coincidence" which was not a coincidence was a God Wink to remind me that we are being taken care of! And I'm telling all of you so that you will feel it, too! And it felt so good to interact with those guys and to presume competence and to witness their competence and warmth.
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