I want to tell you about a young man today – not H – but another equally amazing kid. I suppose he is not really a kid anymore – as he is 17 and well on his way to adulthood.

This is Jordyn…

He is one of the students at my school.

He is smart, articulate, funny, and kind, and endlessly patient with H (and other kids too).

He and his mom have been raising funds so that Jordyn can attend the Little People of America (LPA) Conference in Washington DC this summer. They have had silent auctions, and pub nights… and they also have this FundRazr page.

They are driving from Vancouver to Washington, DC…

Mynogan, their cat, is going with them as well…

I admire Jane, Jordyn’s mom. She is working hard to support Jordyn with this opportunity. She wants him to feel empowered. She wants him to experience that they can set a goal and make something positive happen in their lives. She is teaching by example.

They do not have it easy – and I won’t get into the details here – because they are not mine to share – nor are they particularly relevant. The fact is – they have both been faced with challenges… and they are struggling… and they could really use our help.

Our community and our school has really stepped up. I have gone to a couple of the pub nights and sold 50/50 tickets.  I have no idea where it comes from, but I seem to have some savant-like skill with this. I can sell 50/50 tickets and I can staple stuff up straight. Ya…

The time before last, I even hugged a biker to sell some tickets. I confessed to Craig when I got home from the pub… I guess I was a little worried. He just laughed at me and told he thought it was good luck to hug a biker. So much for confession…

So Jordyn, Jane, and Mynogan the Cat are driving from Vancouver to Washington, DC., and they are going to have a fabulous adventure. There will be wonderful parts to their journey, and challenging parts as well; adventures are like that. But within that adventure lies an amazing opportunity for Jordyn… I just know it.

I have seen the positive effects for H in attending a conference in terms of his positive sense of self and agency and self-determination and in nurturing his growing self-advocacy skills. I want this young man to have the same opportunity.

Jordyn and his mom have only a few days left on this fundraiser and they could really use our help. So I am asking for your support in sharing this story and, if you are able, you can make a contribution here. Seriously – even five dollars will make a huge difference.  Heck – one dollar will make a difference!

You can read more about Jordyn here and, you can support them on the road and follow their progress on Twitter @RhodesontheRoad

Thank you… from Jordyn, Jane, Mynogen the Cat, and Friends

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30 Days of Autism is a project designed to fight stigma, promote civil rights, and increase understanding and acceptance for those who process and experience the world differently.