Life is like a game of Clue. You start out with cards that are handed to you by chance, sometimes you get lucky and get what you need to prepare yourself for the future, and sometimes you are left wondering. As you go on, the choices you make and the lessons that you learn help guide you to know what comes next. But yet some are still not that lucky, and they don’t know what to do to figure it out. In the end, some figure it out, and they know all the answers. But the others, are left wondering, wondering what happens next.
Privilege is something that I was handed before I was even born. I was given a roof over my head, parents that could support me, and was told at a young age that I would be going to college and having a successful future. I was given a life path before I could even walk, I had all the answers. Then I went on and made choices to help me get through the already known. But, not everyone is handed the same cards. 1 in 3 people with autism don’t get to have education after high school and/ or don’t get to have a job to promote a sustainable life for their own.
That’s where Ignite comes in. Ignite gives the cards that were previously unavailable. It’s where people can find their confidence and really see their self-worth. Though my relationship with the members of Ignite has just begun, I know that I have made dear friends that have already taught me so much more than I already know.
One of my new friends, Suzanna wanted to play Clue for their game night. We played endlessly, and she taught me that even if you lose, you just have to keep on trying. Perseverance, that’s one thing that I hope will help us get to our goal of $200,000.00 for Ignite. Getting there won’t be easy, but with the help from others, I know we can get there and we can help more people get the cards they need to get to their full potential.
Mackenzie Shatilla
R.A Coordinator
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