A NextWork Student Post

My Journey started when I found out that I had ADHD, then later down the road I was diagnosed with Intelectual Disabled (ID). But with all of these diagnoses, I didn’t really know who or what I was I didn’t know were I belong to. Most of my life had been a struggle for me. I had a hard time trying to fit in with any social crowd. I felt like I didn’t fit in with most of the groups in school and even as an adult, but still I process by trying my best. Even with my struggles, I was really fortunate to have friends, mentors, and family in my life who gave me the guidance that made me the person that I am today. Then one day my life was about to change, my aunt brought me a one in a life chance opportunity that would help me become an even better version of me, and thats when I join the Columbus Commuinty Center Nextwork program. At first, I felt like that I wasn’t going to fit into this program, because it was a program that help young adults with autism learn how to live on their own and to learn the tools and skills that would help them in life, and because at the time I didn’t think I was Autistic. Until I was diagnosed with autism and was told that there was two diffierent levels of autism (High and Low function), So I took a leap of faith and it paid off for me. When I moved into the program I felt sad and scared because this was first time living on my own, But that all changed because I felt like I belong to something great and I was welcomed with open arms. I have been in the Program for a year now, my second year is about to come up and within that year learn so much to better myself an made so may wonderful new friends in the program. But most importantly, I truly felt like I belong to a wonderful, fantastic, and great community.

–Andrew