I started a new job, working at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. At first I was scared and thought the job just wasn't for me. That was until I met Rachel, the sweetest woman I know, and she has autism. She is non verbal but sure has a personality. Every day coming into work and seeing her made me so humble. All the silly things she did made me laugh, when she was having a hard day it would make me cry. Her happiness was my happiness, her pain was my pain. I would do anything for that woman, especially considering she didn't have much family and was just surrounded by staff all day that worked at her group home and in her day program, she never felt that compassion in a hug, or the joy of going out for a coffee on a Saturday, even opening a present on Christmas morning. My coworker Amanda and I dedicated our work to her, so we could offer her those things. Like many children or adults with autism she wasn't big into hugs, but finally she opened up to me. Her hugs turned into her way of communicating to me besides her normal yelling or banging things with her hands. If she was having a good day she gave me a hug, if she was having a bad day she didn't want me near her. Rachel means the world to me. I don't work with Rachel anymore but I think about her every day. I have photos of her in my home, I have her drawings framed on my wall. She will always be my girl.

Victoria
Holland, MA