I just finished an incredible two days at the Division on Career Development and Transition Virtual Conference. Whenever I have the opportunity to attend events like these, I always end the experience feeling so humbled, grateful and inspired. Fellow parents of kids with disabilities, there are SO MANY people fighting for our kids. They are doing research, creating websites and resources, developing projects, educating future teachers, changing perspectives in society, partnering with government agencies, inspiring teachers to inspire other teachers and opening doors. They have dedicated their lives — their entire lives — to our kids. Humbled, grateful and inspired.
Things are changing for our kids. And as with all change, it is never enough. It is certainly never fast enough. The work is never done. Things get better, and then want them to get ever better. To do more. And that’s how it should be. Never stagnant. Never standing still. Never settling.
As I sat in my quiet space in our bedroom these past two days, I would find myself looking out the window. Looking and thinking help me process things. I kept noticing how beautiful the leaves look, even the midst of their demise. And how with every breeze, they would shimmy down to the ground. And yet, there still were so many more leaves, hanging on, not ready to let go. I think that’s where we all are right now. Hanging on.
So many hard things. But so many equally hopeful things. Like what I experienced the last two days. All these great people doing great things so my kid can live a great life. Our closing keynote was given by the always incredible Dr. Mary Morningstar. She shared about a work entitled “No Body Left Behind” and from that, her advice for the future of the work we do in transition, but it applies to everything we do when change is needed. First, name it. What is holding us back? Then, dismantle it. Find allies and do the work. Last, dream it. Dream abundantly, expansively, collectively and unapologetically. As she reminded us, “all change is radical.”
As we go forth, especially into a winter that we all feel will be even harder, may we do the work that needs to be done. For us, for others. Name it; dismantle it, dream it. Cling to that branch and hang on. Because sometimes our greatest beauty is in the hanging on.