As I look back over the years, especially the past decade, I am deeply moved by the many obstacles we have overcome, the setbacks we have faced, and the success stories we have written. I am in awe of the grace that has carried us forward, even in the face of challenges beyond our control.
Did I know Samuel was going to college? Yes! That has been clear for the past six years. However, I always imagined he would pursue a culinary arts program specifically tailored for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Last year, I started working closely with Samuel to explore his interests in greater depth. His passions are diverse—he loves cooking, computers, and interacting with children. When I asked him about a career in childcare, he was adamant that, while he enjoys being around kids, he did not see himself working in the field long-term. That left us with two primary options: culinary arts and something related to computers.
Our goal was to get Samuel into a specialized certificate program designed for individuals with unique needs who want to study either culinary arts or computer science at a nearby college.
Then came application season. Samuel applied to five programs—three in computer science, one in business administration, and one in television. None was in the specialized program, and we had to respect his self-advocacy and desire to be in mainstream programs.
As expected, Samuel’s grades met the admission requirements for all the programs he applied to. This wasn’t a total surprise, as he typically performs well academically. However, while he excels in his studies, he does require support in areas such as redirection, time management, self-regulation, and a few others.
Samuel has accepted an offer to study Computer Programming and Analysis starting in September. We are excited, scared, worried, and anxious—and by “we,” I mean me. There are many unknowns and obstacles I am currently working through at the school level and personal level, but just as we have faced challenges in the past, we are ready for this one as well.
Samuel will start—that is our current goal. This is an opportunity to cross off another “impossibility” from our list.
Congratulations to my baby boy – we are college bound
That is wonderful to hear. Samuel you are a champion. He is where he is today because of the hard work and commitment you provided. There was many challenges you and Sam had to face and he succeeded because you did not give up. Very inspiring update!