Everyone’s life is its own individual perspective on the same story. We’re connected by our daily interactions and the fundamental experiences that make us human. It’s not a matter of if your story will cross paths with autism, it’s a matter of when and how often.
There are an estimated 3000 students in Wake County that have autism. You could fill a school the size of Enloe with those students, and you would still have an extra 500 to squeeze into our already packed campus. 7 years after they graduate, a third of them will have no paid job experience, college education, or technical training. When you contextualize something like that, it gives it a completely new meaning. It brings an intangible fact into our physical world.
Every single one of us wants to go to IGNITE: not for volunteer hours or self-validation, but rather, to right the misgivings of a society who predetermined the fates of those who are simply different. I’ve fallen in love with the members of IGNITE through games of Pit and Settlers of Catan. Our dedication to connecting to every member is full even though the impact may not be as readily visible. The emotional impact is what really matters, and it goes both ways. We’re masters of this narrative because our passion thrives off of knowing that their stories are changing for the better and that many more will follow.
The physical, the tangible, and the way we express it: that’s everything. It’s the deciding factor between walking home with your tail between your legs and walking home with a donation. The way we speak is contagious. When you hear the narrative we are able to tell, you can’t help but fall in love with our vision of the future.
Enloe Charity Ball’s story isn’t gilded with alternative facts. Rather, it’s backed by consistent outcomes. From $2,000 in our first year, to hopefully $200,000 by December 8th, the money we raise isn’t some joke to be scoffed at or passed over without a second thought. We tell a story of innovation and ambition that has never been seen before in a group of teenagers. The question is how long will our story endure? An hour, a day, or an entire lifetime?
Patrick Nixon
Outreach Representative Officer