"I'm Proud of Me Too!"

Last week, I briefly touched on the concept of success and how it looks different for everyone. This week, I will share one success story that has had several years to mature.

This particular kiddo joined us during the pandemic. He is diagnosed autistic with pretty severe anxiety - so bad that he experienced chronic stomach issues that could not be resolved despite the doctors' best efforts. During his first weeks, he spent most of his time alone, on the old iMac playing an antiquated version of Minecraft. When not doing that, he was pacing around the backyard. Within a month, he interacted more with the other kids, and by the time the new academic year rolled around, he was an integral part of the crew. Within another year, he was so connected to the group and our mission that I asked him to be our junior apprentice. This is his second year in that roll.

This is not to say that his anxiety disappeared. There are still days I find him pacing the backyard or that he stays home with a stomach upset; nonetheless, those episodes are few. However, besides walking the SUNY Canton - Grasse River Trail, he has avoided going off campus with us. Once, he tried to go skating and had to be brought back because his anxiety was through the roof.

That is why I was so very proud of him last week. When planning our field trip to Nicandri Nature Center, after explaining that it was 45 minutes from Canton, I asked him to look it up and decide if he wanted to go with us. Within moments, he came back with a huge grin and said, "That place looks awesome! Yes, I want to go!"

While there, I checked in with him several times to discover he was visibly having a great time. He is enthralled with anything related to nature and adores walking and hiking.

When we returned to the Center that afternoon, I told him how proud I was of him, and he looked back at me with a huge smile and said, "Actually, I am proud of me too!"

This is just one of so many success stories from this year alone. By trusting kids and providing them the space and time to grow and learn more about themselves and the world around them, we help them build the confidence to push against their personal boundaries to do the things that feel scary. It is both intensely satisfying and humbling to watch as they emerge on the other side of that fear, feeling deeply proud of themselves.

DRC News

The Canton crew had a very full week with plenty of outside adventures, including some fishing excursions. They also moved the old couch to the shed in the backyard that they had cleaned up earlier in the week to create another cozy hangout spot. Thank you to Ian Corse for stopping in on his way home to Chicago to install the drawing tablets and programs on our computers.

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The Pop-ups were canceled this past week due to illness. Janine hopes to be back with her Peeps next week at the Norwood and Massena Libraries.

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