Thursday, May 24, 2012

LOOKING BACK AT FORTY YEARS AGO

40 years ago tonight I graduated from Minot Senior High on May 24th 1972. How can 40 years go by so quickly? I have been so blessed to be able to do what I have done in the past 40 years. 40 years ago I was stuck in Special Education class and being told that I should become a dishwasher or work in a sheltered workshop.

It was in 1974 that I had the opportunity to meet a person named Wayne Nelson from Grand Forks, ND. Wayne gave me a chance to work as a public speaker on the subject of disabilities. Who would have ever thought that day in Grand Forks would end up as leading to my lifetime career.

In 1978 I began a non-profit organization called Break Through Inc.
"Our mission is one of rehabilitation education and advocacy for and about people with disabilities to encourage and enlighten the public about people with disabilities in that they are people first and have rights and needs and that they also have gifts and talents to bring to the community."

Break Through is still going strong. A lot has happened between then and now. I graduated in 1992 from UW-Stout in Menomonie Wisconsin with a degree in Vocational Rehabilitation. I wrote a book in 2007. Now I am "all over the map" giving presentations on the subject of disability.

As I sit at my desk writing this, looking back in time, I know it was a bumpy ride but it was a ride that was well worth it.

My wife Dee and I were married in March of 2006 at Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp in Anderson Hall. Today Dee and I travel throughout the country where I speak to groups on the subject of disabilities hoping that they will get a new perspective in life.

We have also been speaking at K-12 schools about disabilities and "bullying". Last April ( 2012) we spoke to over 1600 people in South Dakota. One of the highlights of that tour was a young boy who came to realize that what he was doing ( bullying at school) was wrong. What a revelation for both of us as he received the message that I had and he was able to understand that he needed to change. He and I gave "high fives" to each other as he promised to try to do better.

During our tour in South Dakota we introduced a new booklet on disabilities and bullying entitled "Last One Picked, So What!" We can turn it around. Yes, that night of May 24th 1972 at Minot High I was too busy receiving my diploma to think what was before me. As I look back all I can say is that I have been blessed.