A couple of weeks ago at his high school advisory meeting,
Andrew and I met with his advisor to review plans for his upcoming senior
year. Andrew has signed up for New
Market Skills Center’s Culinary Program.
New Market is a consortium of several school districts through ESD 113
to teach a variety of skills to high school students ranging from Alternative
Energy Technology to Pre-Veterinary Technician training. Andrew chose Culinary Arts since he has had a
dream for a few years of becoming a chef.
So he signed up for the program.
In my opinion Andrew’s love of food comes more from the consumption not
necessarily the creation or preparation of it!
But he does love to demonstrate to me how he has learned to flip food in
a skillet with the flick of his wrist after watching his favorite chefs on the
Food Network. While he was out of the room
I asked his advisor if she thought this was a good move for Andrew. She pointed out that Andrew is amazing and if
anyone could be a chef with only one arm it would be him. Still I must admit I have my doubts about his
ability to do the job. I am not going to
rain on his parade but I have talked to him about a Plan B. Frankly I think he would be really good in
marketing or sales. I have seen him coax
money from some pretty challenging people.
He was the only one of our four kids who consistently scoured the
neighborhood for annual school or sports fund drives.
He and I didn’t talk much about this meeting
afterward. However Andrew is taking drivers’
education and he takes advantage of any chance to practice driving with
me. I enjoy the company and quite frankly
it gives me a choice opportunity to talk with him about things that we normally
wouldn’t talk about. I am a firm
believer that a parent must use all tools available to them to connect with
their kids.
I didn’t talk to him about becoming a chef but thought
post high school planning was a good subject.
In the past Andrew has indicated he wanted to go to South Puget Sound
Community College to attend their culinary program then to Le Cordon Bleu's
Seattle program rounding out his education in the culinary arts.
I mentioned to him that he needs to make application to
DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) this fall when he turns 18. Of course he didn’t know what I was even
talking about so I explained that this was a federally funded program that
assists individuals with disabilities in determining their career and then
offering training and placement to make their vocational dream a reality. His
response was quick. He stated he was proud and didn’t need any handout. I think his exact sentence was “I don’t need
no stink’in handout”. He was incredulous
at the thought that throughout his whole life he had fought to not make his
disability a way to gain advantage or favor and now his Dad was suggesting he
take something for free, a handout in his mind, which indicated he was some
“poor handicapped person” with his cup
out asking for a donation.
This young man often surprises me with his insight and
views. I am so proud of his
determination and drive. I admire his
determination and desire to be "normal" and not viewed as a poor
person taking handouts with palm extended.
I am also amazed he doesn’t want to take advantage of a program I am so
familiar with and have seen so many people have realize their dream through
this amazing program. But we have many
more drives before he gets his license which will afford me more opportunities to
continue the conversation.
The real question that
remains is if members of the younger disability community through integrated
schools, programs etc. don’t view themselves as a “special needs” population
then how do we reach out and connect with them as they graduate? Have we reached, or are we reaching, the next
stage where our society is fully integrated to the point we won't need any
affirmative programs to help those who for so many years have been
excluded? Unfortunately, at present at
least, employment statistics don’t bear this out.
