How learning to use my strengths with my disabilities enabled me to help others
By Mallory
At the church daycare on our first full-day in Brazil
A lot of people, especially people with disabilities, like me, sometimes feel like they can’t do amazing things and may even feel like their disability defines them as a person. Well, as someone with disabilities, I can say that you aren’t defined by them. Sure, they explain a little about who you are and why you do what you do, but they don’t define who you are. People with disabilities can do great things and showcase their strengths. Let me share a little about my story.
Playing Rock. Paper, Scissors with a girl at the camp
In August of 2021, I started school at Shepherds College, a Christian 3-year college for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have three options for majors that the students can pick from- Culinary Arts, Horticulture, and Technology. As all 1st year students do, I tried all three majors and during Christmas break I chose to do technology. While I had challenging times, I ultimately thrived at Shepherds College.
The student life staff, the teachers, my major instructor, and my advisor helped me in my pursuit of independence. They all helped me learn basic life skills, how to resolve conflict, how to live in community, and how to cultivate job skills that will serve me well in the workplace. In June of 2024, I received my certificate of completion in the major of technology and I even received the Technology Award, for my growth in my major.
A couple of weeks later, I and several other students, alumni, and staff from Shepherds, several of whom were in my graduating class, embarked on a 10-day mission trip to Brazil, partnered with Joni & Friends, a non-profit Christian ministry that helps children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families all around the world.
Me and my buddy the first day of the family camp
It was an honor for me to go with such an amazing team. We helped at a church, worked in a food pantry for low-income families, sorted clothes for a 2nd hand store run by the same church for low-income families, took a day trip to the mountains, and helped at a family camp run by a retreat center and put on by Joni & Friends for people with disabilities and their families. At the camp, each of us volunteers was assigned a buddy and I was partnered with a boy with Down Syndrome. It was a wonderful experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
I’m thoroughly convinced that if I hadn’t gone to Shepherds College, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. I grew and changed so much and I’m so proud of who I am and who I am becoming.
I learned from my time at Shepherds that you need to approach each new situation with an open mind. Not everything in life will be easy and it is okay to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength and self-awareness. Knowing your limitations and when to ask for help is a valuable asset, not only in the workplace but in life as a whole.
