Changing the World...

Since I am graduating this June, I have been thinking a lot about what kind of job I would want to do. As a drama major and digital arts minor, I obviously love all forms of art. However, I have been having this overwhelming feeling that perhaps there are "more important things" I should do in my life. Don't get me wrong, art is VERY important and necessary in this world. But I think some things in MY life may require more attention.

I am talking about my younger brother . He is 20 years old and severely Autistic. Although I hear that Autism is receiving more attention than it has in the past, I feel that I need to help my brother now. This is because any new amazing finding or "cure" would not benefit him or anyone else with the disability.

Ever since i can remember, just about anyone finds the mentally disabled amusing (in a negative manner). I have even witnessed my peers (who have WORKED with disabled children) turn around and make fun of anyone who is mentally "retarded". By the way, that is my least favorite word. People throw it around so frequently that I sometimes don't even notice it anymore. Even a few of my bosses and teachers have not only used this word in a joking manner, but have also made fun of mentally challenged people. As a child, I thought that when people matured, their humor would too. I guess I was wrong...

I really have no idea what kind of job I would like to have. I know in the back of my mind that a job dealing with autistic and disabled children may be too hard for me because this disability has been apart of my entire life. But deep down, I know I HAVE to make things better than they are right now. If anything, I would love to make the seriousness of all disabilities more apparent to the public. Movies such as "Tropic Thunder" show that our society has not matured. Who knows- maybe I can combine the this and my love of art and write a play about it.







Halloween- 1992. My brother & I