Dismay and confusion. Lost but begging to be found. Alone and unprepared. I had begun my journey of adulthood at college. No money to support myself. Hardly any food. I did what I had to do to get by, but I struggled. I dropped out that semester but little did I know that was where my story would begin. A story much larger than I could ever imagine.
Twenty-one years ago on April 12, 1995, a baby was born and his name was Joshua Williams. My baby cousin. My little guy. The second born grandchild. Or should I say my angel in disguise?
Due to complications at birth and lack of oxygen, Joshua suffered from brain damage, causing him to have cerebral palsy, a visual impairment, as well as clonus.
From a young age, he was placed in a self-contained classroom due to other people’s perceptions of what he could do and what his limits were, being a kid with a disability. They divided his time between two separate schools, spending half of his time in regular education classrooms and the other half in special education. He faced many challenges with the schools and how they approached his education. The school system had little faith in his abilities, but his mother always told him to keep pushing and do the best he could, so he did.
She soon realized that West Virginia wasn't going to be able to provide Joshua with an equal opportunity at achieving an education, so she decided to move the family to Georgia.
When high school rolled around, he realized that he was capable of doing more than what he was being taught. He said that he was bored and not like the other kids. That he knew more and wanted a chance to prove that. He then proceeded to ask for the opportunity to try and achieve a regular education diploma. His parents and school were both shocked by his decision, but were open to giving him the opportunity to at least try. This would require him to have a full-time paraprofessional at school and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings every semester to make sure things were in order for him to have the best experience possible.
This occurred around the same time that I had dropped out of college and I received a call from my aunt to ask to be his caregiver, on one condition, that I go back to college. I accepted. I had no idea what I was getting into, but it was the most eye-opening experience of my life.
As he transitioned into regular education classes with each teacher and subject, he faced different obstacles such as classroom placement, extended time on tests, extra help at home and constant preparation for the next obstacle. Since he was in a self-contained classroom for all those years, he was never taught basic math, reading and writing skills. He learned from what he heard and used that to help me push through. We worked vigorously at home to teach him the common basics of education that he had been denied before this time period.
To achieve a regular education diploma, he would have to pass all the required classes as well as the end of course test, writing test and the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT). While he passed some of my end-of-course tests, he was unable to pass the writing and reading and math graduation test even after extensive studying over the summer and school year.
However, he refused to give up on a high school diploma, so we applied for waivers for a retest and he went back to high school for a fifth year to obtain the remaining credits.
The waivers got denied, so he reapplied. At the same time, he began self-advocating and telling his story to our local elected representatives in hopes to bring change with the GHSGT process.
His main goal was to get his diploma so that one day he could attend college and be able to have a job.
On the day before the waiver decision was made, a new law was released stating that as long as the child had passed the required courses and the end-of-course test, the student would receive their high school diploma. The GHSGT was out of the equation.
Overwhelmed with happiness, he immediately set his sights on college. He applied to college and found out that more testing was to be done. He prepared all summer for the test and passed exceedingly on his second try.
He is now a full-time student at East Georgia State College with plans to transfer to Georgia Southern be a radio broadcast journalist one day.
His experience in an isolated classroom is a story shared by many others who may not have had the opportunities or resources like he did to receive a regular high school diploma.
That’s why, like him, all students with disabilities deserve a good education to help qualify them for the right job and pursue a bright future.
On May 5, 2016, he finished his first year of college. Passing all his classes, his dreams still enact.
That afternoon after a doctor's appointment, he suffered from a seizure on the way home. He went unresponsive and on to a ventilator. My worst nightmare. My whole heart was being broken right before my eyes.
He was rushed to the hospital and into the emergency room, still unresponsive. A fighter, as always, he came back to us.
By the power of prayer and God alone, the next morning he was able to come off of the ventilator. Breathe on his own and communicate with us again. He had overcome an obstacle once again.
And for a boy that has had 13 surgeries, I would say by far this episode scared me, him and our family the most.
An inspiration not only to others with disabilities but to everyone he meets. He is the hero of not only my life but my heart.
Thank you, Joshua, for showing us all that no matter what life throws at you, that nothing is greater than the grace of God. Thank for staying, and most of all, thank you for inspiring me every day. I'm forever grateful.
