Power of an Opportunity

Growing up, not yet knowing about the brain injury, a lot of things were hard for me. I struggled with hand-eye coordination so I couldn't sink a free-throw or advance a lot in playing violin or piano, even though I tried and I wanted to.  Making friends was hard because of reading social cues, figuring out the give and take, etc.

With Thanksgiving approaching, a memory..... Growing up, one of my parents neighbors started a children's choir, still going today. My siblings and I all sang in the choir at one time or another.  It's a prominent audition choir, winning awards, touring, recording CDs, etc. Last November my sister ran into the director at the music store. (He's been a family friend for many years). He's a bachelor so she invited him to our house for Thanskgiving and it was a great time.

It wasn't until much later that I realized what a blessing that choir was to me from age 8-16. It wasn't perfect; there were 2 choirs and it took me several years to qualify be in the more advanced choir and that's OK. The important thing was it gave me something to be GOOD at when so many other things were so hard for me. It gave me tremendous opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise and at the risk of being dramatic, I don't know where I would have been then or now, without it. I was fortunate that the director is still around so I could tell him about it.

For those with special needs, an opportunity is HUGE. Apparent or not, they are aware of what's going on, they have needs, wants, desires to be accepted, to feel successful, feel good about themselves. If you are in the position to provide an opportunity, do it. If you have been the recipient of an opportunity, special needs or not, thank someone. Every bit of good counts!!!!