Learning from Brad free essay sample

What do you do when you are at the supermarket doing your weekly shopping and you encounter someone with special needs? Do you stare at them uncomfortably, turn around and walk the other way, or talk to them? I used to do everything in my power to avoid eye contact, afraid that I might upset them or hurt their feelings. My fear, as with many people, came from lack of education about developmental disabilities. My hands-on education began with Brad. At the age of thirteen, I started volunteering at Camp Sunshine, a recreational camp for children and adults with special needs. Brad, a fifteen year-old boy with a form of muscular dystrophy, was the camper I was assigned to that first summer. His disability affected his muscle tone, so he had a slight limp and was very small for his age. What he lacked in size he made up for in imagination. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning from Brad or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Each day, he would put on a production of the Wizard of Oz, complete with morning casting sessions, lunchtime intermission, and end of the day bows. Despite having a disability, he was one of the happiest people I had ever met. I thoroughly enjoyed that first summer at Camp Sunshine, and I wished it would never end. Imagine my surprise and excitement when I walked into the lunch room on the first day of high school and saw Brad sitting at a table eating his customary peanut butter and ketchup sandwich. Brad was a member of the self-contained Transitions class in which I was a classroom assistant during my free period. When I was helping in the class I would work one-on-one with him to help him with his assignments. We would work on reading, writing, and grammar skills. The best part about assisting him in school was the smile and unique compliment he would give me each day. When I walked in, I would hear, â€Å"You look very beautiful today Danielle,† or â€Å"You are such a nice girl, Danielle.† Those compliments were simple and easy to say, but meant more to me than Brad will ever know. My experiences with Brad provided me with a newfound appreciation and respect for people with disabilities and led me to choose to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. I eagerly and enthusiastically look forward to one day being able to help individuals like Brad overcome the physical limitations that they deal with on a daily basis. My goal is to provide therapy that will encourage and support these individuals as they gain independence and learn to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be beyond their capabilities. Camp Sunshine has uniquely qualified me for this profession by enhancing my patience, understanding and compassion for others. I have learned that there is nothing to be scared of and no reason to judge because people with disabilities are some of the most lovable, intelligent, and big-hearted individuals one will ever meet.