For the past few weeks, I’ve been receiving e-mails from Vanderbilt University about the coming fall semester. One of them prompted me to start thinking about which classes to register for. Another introduced me to my academic adviser and student mentor (also known as my Advise-a-Dore Mentor).
 
These e-mails echoed to me that my final days of high school were rapidly approaching; soon, it would be time for graduation.
 
So much of my senior year has been focused on preparing for college that I feel I may have overlooked that this part of my life is coming to an end. As my high school experience concludes, I see that my college journey has given me so much more than a college acceptance letter.
 
This journey has exposed me to some incredible and caring people who have challenged me to grow in countless ways. I would like to give thanks to them.
 
My college adviser, Ms. Rothman, has been an inspirational guide along this amazing journey. In addition, I am grateful that my journey to college led me to Legal Outreach, a nonprofit organization that works with students throughout their high school careers and prepares them to be successful in competitive colleges.
 
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with and get to know Legal Outreach’s college access coordinator, Ms. Cooper. She has been a constant source of support and advice for me.
 
Before this year I had not had the opportunity to look for my voice beyond my disability, which has been such a huge part of my story. Through the support of Ms. Rothman, Ms. Cooper and many others, I have been able to find that voice.
 
Thanks to this newfound voice, I have been able to form new bonds with my peers. I realized that it is hard to fully connect with people when I have let my disability summarize my identity. I had always been so focused on advocating outside of school that I had not had the opportunity to share other parts of myself with my peers.
 
Now, through this blog and in my advocacy work, I am constantly talking about what it has been like to grow up with cerebral palsy.
 
Being able to share my story in these monthly posts and at my school this year has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of myself and connect with others in powerful new ways. I have grown as a person.
 
Only after fully and publicly owning my disability have I been able to move past it and realize that I am so much more than just that boy whose walk was once confused with a drunk’s.
 
It has been so great getting to share this journey with you, and I thank you for getting to know the real me.