MOG #8: A letter of Acceptance

I once read that there are two kinds of best friends, the first being the kind that update each other all the time, spend as much time together as possible and overall never miss a minute of each other’s lives. Then they are the kind that may not talk as frequently but that’s because they don’t need to, for every time they are reunited they just pick back up where they left off and keep establishing the fantastic friendship they have relied on for years.  I have the latter relationship with our next contributor, whom I am so excited to feature. Alex and I have been in each other’s lives for over 13 years and I’m beyond grateful to call her my oldest and best friend. It’s more like we’re sisters at this point. She’s knows my taste, varying Starbucks order depending on my mood, how I  would react to certain situations but also tell me exactly need to hear. She’s honestly like the best mirror I’ve ever had.  It’s nonstop laughs, heart to hearts, finishing each other’s sentences; a relationship built on give and take. To anyone else that is just as lucky, Alex is the definition of a good friend; loyal, supportive, hilarious and  considerate. She’s off to do great things and I can’t wait to see what differences she will make in which ever company, firm or district that finds themselves lucky to have her.

Over the past 6 years, I have been lucky enough to work with individuals who have special needs and disabilities. The age range that I work with is a large one, spanning from the age of 4, to some as old at 70 or 80. While spending time with the younger ones can sometimes feels more like baby sitting than anything else, I have found myself building some incredible friendships with members of the more mature crowd. 

One of these friends is an almost 23-year-old man who always has a lot to say. Matthew Dougan is without doubt the most talkative guy in the room at any given moment, referring to himself in the third person by his last name, and greeting me with a booming “How’s it going, trouble?!” nearly every time he sees me. 

For the last 2-3 years, when my shifts at the program have come far and few between, Dougan and I continuously send e-mails back and forth. Updating one another with what is new and exciting in each other’s lives. These e-mails usually consist of updates from his hockey team, and a guilt trip for why I didn’t attend his last game. This morning however, I received a message with some amazing news. Since about last year, Matthew has been working extremely hard in an attempt to get into a program at Mohawk College. Having not being accepted for the September semester, Dougan did'nt skip a beat and continued to work for a January acceptance.

He did it. He starts at his new school this Wednesday, and when I read the news I was overcome with an immense amount of pride.
 

I am all too aware that individuals with special needs are almost always underestimated, and overlooked. Knowing first hand that this should never be the case, seeing my friend achieve his goal and fulfill part of his dream was my moment of gratitude. Thankful not only for have amazing individuals like Matthew in my life, but also for programs like the one at Mohawk that are giving individuals a leg up for the world waiting for them.