Intelligent Lives today hosted a webinar with a lot of other disabled, intelligent individuals each trying to participate in the way that worked for them. Many individuals made the comments in the chat very interesting. Changing the narrative around intelligence is challenging to do but I think it is great that we can have some ways to try. The webinar challenged me to think about how I want to live my life. Being disabled is not my excuse for not living how I want to live. Is it in the traditions of my awesome ancestors to have the mindset of many of the best athletes in the world? In my family it is impossible to give up. I think I will make them very proud.
This is the I Am poem that I wrote as part of the Intelligent Lives webinar:
I am on my way.
I wonder if I will ever be more independent.
I hear being in the world takes a lot of work.
I see my future taking on my dreams.
I want more autistics to find their way to their freedom.
I am more than my autism.
I understand it all.
I say very little with my speech.
I dream of changing my life.
I try to be the one that is kind to others.
I hope many people hear my voice.
I am intelligent and trying to start with me.
To learn more about Intelligent Lives visit https://intelligentlives.org