Why Voters Should Vote For Me For District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education (Part 3)- I am a Dad, and not just that, I am an Autism Dad.

Reason 3 that I think voters should vote for me for District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education is a reason that definitely separates me from the other candidates.  While at first blush this difference between me and the other candidates may not seem all that material, but when flushed out further I believe it provides me with an attribute that none of the other candidates can match. Without further adieu,  Reason 3 is because I am an Autism Dad.

Let me explain why I think the fact that I am an Autism Dad is so important.  I'd start by saying I do not think that I was a bad person before Charlie was diagnosed as being on the spectrum. Nor do I think that I was a person who didn't care about others before Charlie's diagnosis. However, I will admit that there were, and still are, parts of me in these areas that can improve. When we received Charlie's diagnosis, my perspective on the world drastically changed and the fire that fuels me to make a difference started burning all that much hotter.  Notably, I am now instantly that much more empathetic to the situations of others when I see them in a position of need.  This isn't just your typical empathy that I feel is ingrained in hopefully all of us.  No, instead I believe it is a heightened sense of empathy that leads us to live better and fuller lives.  It is a heightened sense of empathy that lights a fire in us that fuels us to do all we can to make the world better.

I have learned over the past couple of years that most Special Needs parents seem to have in common with each other a "We have been there, done that" connection. This means that when we see troublesome situations, such as when a child is throwing an uncontrolled fit in a restaurant or store, we are always on the look out to help the parents and to let them know that they are not alone in dealing with the situation. There is no  "what is wrong with that family or that child" and "why can't they control that child" coming from us.  Instead, we, the Special Needs parents, look to provide support rather than nasty comments or looks.  Yes, we are a community that supports all of those in their times of need whether we know the folks or not and whether those folks have kids with similar issues to our or not. Do you know why? I do. It's because we have this heightened sense of empathy derived from the fact we have likely been there and done that.  And, we are unfortunately likely to probably do it again.  

This heightened sense of empathy does great things for us.  Going through a Special Needs diagnosis teaches us to see the world through a different set of eyes.  It teaches us that the world needs to be a better place because our children are going to need a little help to get through it.  As such, we do all that we can not just to make the world a better place for our kids or kids like our kids, but for all kids.  We have no choice but to do it because we owe it to our kids.  You see we know what it is like to have our children have unwarranted low expectations tossed on them.  We hate those unfair expectations and we see how potential limiting they could be so we will do all that we can to get rid of the expectations for not just our kids but for all kids.  We live in a world where we recognize that all children regardless of race, age, financial status, or ability have their own individual struggles and issues that threaten to hold the children back from being successful.  Even though we see those struggles and issues, we recognize those struggles and issues are just speed bumps that can be overcome with a mix of hard work and support.  We see those struggles and issues shouldn't just be ignored or taken as an immovable object but should instead be flipped into attributes that can make people stand out from the pack in positive ways.  We see the strength and potential in every child and we want to do all we can to bring that strength out.

I highlight all of this again because I wholeheartedly believe that Charlie's autism diagnosis has made me a better person.  It was that diagnosis that developed the need in me to get involved in the Autism Insurance movement in North Carolina and help other families.  It was that diagnosis that drives me as I have started and continued on this adventure to try to get elected as a member of the Guilford County School Board. You see, I never wanted to be a politician. It was never a goal of mine to get elected to a political office.  In fact, I struggle at times now doing the schmoozing and handshaking that comes from running for political office. I recognize I am not the smoothest in a big room at gladhanding, I acknowledge that and recognize it must come from the fact that I am in many ways an introvert. That said, I am not letting that hold me back.

Do you know what I have found that I think I am pretty good at? Talking to groups about the issues that I think are important in this race.  These talks have actually been the easiest part of this election process.  I think this is the case because when I am giving those speeches or answering questions I am so excited to give my views and my answers about how I can make our schools better for all children, not just my own kids.  I get excited over the thought that I am trying my best to be put in a position where I can make a difference in our schools and make sure that all children get the educations that they deserve.  Although I hope I do not come across as cocky, I admit that I do have the self confidence to think that what I have been through in my life has given me the experience and insight to really make a difference like none of the other candidates can.  

You see, I am running because I want to do all I can to make our schools better and I think I can do that.  The reason I am running all comes back to this heightened sense of empathy that I have that drives me to do all I can to make our schools better for all our kids.  Not that the other candidates don't have empathy, I would definitely not say that about them. But what I would say is that going through it has provided me with attributes and a drive that I do not think I would have had if I had not been put in the situation.

As an aside, I think it would be great to have someone in my situation on our School Board because our School Board is sorely lacking a voice that understands the needs of the Guilford County Special Needs community. I will be that voice if I am elected.  That said, it's not my intention to just be the voice for the Special Needs community, it is my intention to be the voice of all parents and children in Guilford County and to do all I can to make sure all children get the quality educations that they deserve.

I'd close this post by saying its not my intention to use this office as a stepping stone to further different office.  Nor am I running for this office because I have a great love for politics.  Nope, I am an Autism Dad and as such I am running because I want to do what I can to make our schools better. I hope the voters will elect me so I can capitalize on that opportunity that is before me.  If the voters do choose me, trust me, the heightened sense of empathy I have described with drive me to make positive changes to our school system so all of our children in Guilford County get the educations that they deserve.