posted Jul 9th
"This year has been quite a significant milestone in our family - mainly for our son. Our son just graduated high school!"
I believe this milestone is significant in anyone’s life, but it is especially important for us. When our son first started high school, we didn’t know what path he would take, what kinds of things may be in his future and we certainly didn’t know how to navigate anything.
When he started in grade 9, we talked about him possibly being able to get perhaps 16 credits which would qualify him for some college courses. Again, we weren’t sure what the future held or what he would be interested in or even able to accomplish. So he started off his high school journey, doing a mix of credit-bearing and open courses. Although he enjoyed most of his courses, we soon discovered that with the “open” courses, he was bored. It was then that we decided to make sure that all his future courses were credit ones.
School is hard whether you're neurotypical or not. When Jake first started high school, he did not know anyone and Covid began a few months later and this made him more isolated. It was tough, I’m not going to lie, having to sit through on-line lectures day after day. He even did an entire shop course without entering the shop - - that was interesting!
Well, seven years later (yes, 7 since he has a diagnosis), not only did he complete all the credits for his diploma, he is also an Ontario Scholar! He just had his graduation last week and we couldn’t be happier or prouder of him. Not just the fact that he got his diploma, it is so much more. The hard work he put in, the dedication, figuring out his passions, and so much more along the way. He had many ups and downs and there was a couple of courses that he had to do more than once. I’m honestly in awe of how much he was able to accomplish as well as having such incredible people working with him every day, cheering him onto towards his goals. This made all the difference for him.
The people that we have met because of Jake being on the spectrum is unbelievable. There were at least 6 EA’s that had worked with him that attended the graduation and they were all cheering him on! These are some of the kindest, most dedicated people that I have ever met and I believe that God allowed these people into his life for a reason. Not only have they been a part of his journey, but he has been a part of theirs as well. Being intertwined into life together for the past seven years. It’s bittersweet. They have contributed so much to Jake’s life and I hope they always will be.
Jake not only worked hard, but it was the journey which I am most proud of. His dedication, hard work and all of the things that he has to deal with on a daily basis that others just don’t give a second thought to. All of these challenges and experiences have shaped him into the man he is becoming today and it is a “God thing”. God had a plan for him and he opened the doors and gave him the ability to walk through, even with failures along the way. God is always in charge and we need to remember that it is His plan, not ours that matters. God opens doors when they need to be opened and he closes them the same as well. He knows what is best for us and he will provide what we need in His time.
Trusting God in the happiest moments of your life and also trusting Him when things are difficult is a lesson that we had to learn.
Isaiah 40:31 says,
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
We have also seen Jake’s growth as a human being, which is just as important as any educational experience. His kindness, caring and his passions are just starting to emerge and we can’t wait to see where he goes in this next chapter of his life.
Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Families Coordinator
Amberlea welcomes and supports all families with exceptional needs, in particular children with autism. It is our desire to support and encourage families right where they are at. Shelly Wedge, our Exceptional Families Coordinator in her blog shares her own journey and offers insight and encouragement for families and how we can come alongside and support each other.