Expectations and Technology
I have come to the realization that I can second guess myself, which may not be a bad thing! I feel, at times, that this blog is only a reflection of part of me, Cole, and my wonderful husband. I am truly blessed to be loved by these two wonderful men in my life and I thank God each and every day for them! I also realize that my blog is not really reaching out to as many as I thought. I read just last night on a friend's post on Facebook that there are so many people that "live" through Facebook. That is not living. Unfortunately, there are so many people in today's world that are living through their technology and not making that personal connection, via face to face in person or actually talking on the telephone. To me, this is sad. I made such wonderful friends growing up and I know it was because I talked to them in person on the playground and in the classroom. I don't expect much these days from adults my age or younger, simply because today's world is all about technology, who is "popular" when it comes to friendship via Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. However, I do expect the courtesy email or text to let me know that they can't keep an appointment. My stark realization is now clear to me, which totally sucks on my end: technology has replaced the actual form of conversation and I don't like it. My expectation is now being shifted to, "What can I do to stay in the loop via technology?". My son and his all of his friends are now using technology, via text, Instagram, KIK accounts, and Facebook to talk to each other. Do I like this? No. However, to keep up with "going on's" in Cole's life and his friends, I must keep up with the latest technology, just to make sure these kids stay safe and know to how to interact with each other. The art of conversation is now lost, simply because of technology.
My expectations have now become a reality, simply because my music proposal "Technology and Education: Educating the student with Special Needs" was picked for next year's T.M.E.A. annual convention. I submitted two proposals, but the proposal that was picked has to do with technology. I am really excited about this opportunity to educate thousands (20,000+ people attend this yearly convention) in the field of technology and music, but my main goal was to reach teachers and administrators. I only pray my presentation is insightful, full of knowledge that has not been presented, and how to reach the population about students who have learning and physical disabilities. I anxiously have been waiting since June 1st (this is when all proposals were due) to see if I would actually get picked. I initially thought I would be notified by email on August 1st. After much digging on T.M.E.A.'s website (again, hence technology rearing it's ugly head), I found what I was looking for: each person that submitted a proposal would be notified via email, starting August 15th. My heart raced, I kept checking my email every hour on August 15th. Wouldn't you know it, I would receive that confirmation email that said my proposal was picked the following day, August 16th, when I was away from my computer! I am grateful for technology, simply because it has given so many people a voice that don't have one.
Educating one person at a time is my mantra, but if you can educate thousands, why not go for it? I am forty years old and I can clearly remember when I was in the sixth grade, there was a boy in my class that had a learning disability (dyslexia). He was so sweet and turned out to be one of my very best friends (he thought I was his girlfriend!). I remember him to be a gentle soul, very tall, and would ask me for help in class. I didn't know he had dyslexia until he told me on Valentine's Day. He gave me a card that said on the inside "Would you be my girls friends?". He personally wrote this, so naturally I thought, am I going to have to share him with other girls? I was not into boys, except to play basketball and football with them, but I was a little confused by what he had written. I am now learning that dyslexia is not a form of reading words and letters backwards, but that it is something much more complex. My friend, Lyn Pollard, can educate you fully on what dyslexia is. I do know that if my boyfriend in sixth grade would have been granted materials in our classroom that helped him learn his way, he would have aced 6th grade with flying colors! We did attend the same middle school, but didn't have any classes together. He was a gentle soul and this would be my first experience into learning about people who have learning disabilities. Fast forward 28 years later, I now know that each child should be given the BEST education one is offered, thanks to the Wright Law.
Technology is a double-edged sword for me. I love to write, but I have been doing a lot more writing via computer (blogging), which in some ways, is cathartic. Cole has taught himself how to learn music via YouTube and other computer apps made available on a computer or iPad, simply because technology is now common in school and the workplace. My son may not have found his voice, if it hadn't been for YouTube. I have worked so hard to give Cole a voice: private speech therapy since the age of four on a weekly basis, his own band "Cole Warren and the Jambox Boys and Bebop Girls", and a home filled with family and friends on a weekly basis. My first job in life is to be the best mom and wife to Cole and my wonderful, supporting husband. My second job in life is to educate millions. I would like all people to know and understand what it's like to live on a daily basis with a child (nearly a teenager) who has autism. This statement is reality: I don't think this is selfish at all, but what so many people don't realize is that as a parent, we have to keep thinking ahead and see what we can do to offer Cole to keep his mind active. Also, my husband and I are products of environment. My husband and I are blessed to have had top-notch educations from private school and colleges that afford us the comforts of our home that realistically, may not be true for Cole. Cole may be able to attend a community college and hopefully a state school that provides programs for adults that have autism. I plan on using my story and Cole's life as an example of how life is in our household. Music is a part of both of us. I never expected to be a presenter at T.M.E.A., however, I am thrilled to expose teachers, educators, parents, and administrators to life, music, and autism. I really didn't expect my T.M.E.A. proposal to be picked. I have always been told it takes two to three times to submit a proposal for it to be picked. I guess I am one of the few that has experience in education, technology, music, and teaching on a daily basis, simply because I have a child that has autism. I will always pursue excellence and expect nothing short of perfection when it comes to educating our population, even if it's via technology. I would love to leave this world a better place, simply because I have taught and educated people about living with autism. I think I am on my way!
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