Commitment, Courage, Clarity, Caring, and Community. These were the five words we focused on during our stay at Governor's School. On the second day, we were each given leather bracelettes to tie around our wrists or wherever we felt appropriate. We began by turning to the person nearest us and tieing the bracelette around the other's person. The five words were to be represent by five small beads we each had to earn. At the end of each day, those who felt ready to earn a certain bead stood at the front of the group and explained their reason--what they had done or learned--that entitled them to the appropriate bead.
I confidentely claimed my courage bead on the third night of Governor's School. At 16 years-old, I was still niave enough to agree with poeple who feel my moving through life as I am--with a disability--takes courage in and of itself. So, I stood in front of the crowd and described some of the things I had been through. 28 or so operations (give or take) some life threatening...life threatening illnesses...discrimination based on my handicap...the usual challenges for a handicapped child. Fortunately I also had the sense to list my even coming to Governor's School as an act of courage.
I had not yet spent any time away from my mother, other than hospital stays. Would I be able to cope with the outside world independantly? Would I survive? Would people be able to cope with me?? It was