Special needs kids sometimes are judged, made fun of or called the "R" word, and it breaks my heart. Some people have not gotten the opportunity to be around them, and I can tell you that they are all missing out. I have been volunteering with special needs kids for four years now; I have over 130 volunteer hours. It is a huge part of my life, and it's something I am very passionate about. At home, I volunteer for an organization called the Miracle League. The Miracle League is a place where special needs and handicapped kids and adults play noncompetitive baseball. During the summer, I live at the Miracle League. I have a second family and home there. Also, at school, I volunteer for the Special Olympics swimming once a week. There is so much I love about working with special needs kids I could go on forever so I'll just go on a little bit.
I have learned to have patience.
Sometimes, things take more time than usual. Some of the kids I have worked with just want to run around everywhere. Instead of getting frustrated, I keep trying to get them to do a task. When they do it, it's a great feeling.
I have learned how to have determination.
At the Miracle League, some of the kids I have worked with don't want help when they are batting. This one little boy lost his arms so he uses his elbows to bat and doesn't give up.
I have learned to appreciate the little things.
Conversations are a huge part of our everyday lives. Some of kids I have helped aren't verbal, some use tablets or use sign language. Most people take speaking for granted. I can't imagine not being able to talk to my sister or sometimes not know what she is asking for. The little things do matter.
I have seen what it's like to be happy no matter what.
No matter what some of these kids go through, they are so happy. The joy and excitement they have makes me instantly happy. At the Special Olympics swimming, I worked with the same girl every week. Every week, she would go down to the bottom of the pool and collect fake fish for me. Sometimes she would come out with a rainbow fish or a diamond fish. I would always go along with it, and pretend to eat them. Just by me doing that, she was so happy and laughing like crazy. Every week, she would look forward to swimming, and so would I. Every week, I left with a huge smile on my face.
I hope everyone has the chance to work with special needs kids at some point in their life. It's life changing. I have learned so much about life and about myself. I can't imagine what my life would be like without this. I have made long-lasting relationships with people I would do anything for. These kids are changing my life, and they don't even know it.
