I was a geek in High School. I got good grades and worked in the Principal's office first period. (I know, NERD-VILLE!)Because of this, during my Junior year in High School, I was pulled out of 6th period study hall by the Special Education teacher, who said that the Vice Principal had recommended that I would be good as a teacher's assistant in the special education classroom. To me, it sure beat sitting in study hall, so I did it and liked it so much, that I continued doing it through my senior year.
I honestly think it was my propensity to relate to the underdog that made me so good at it. (Or, as I can hear my friend say "Uh, no Trenny, it's cuz 'it takes one to know one'!" lol)
Joking aside, doing this was actually one of my earliest memories of feeling the feeling you get when you can help someone else. We can sometimes be so self centered, especially when we are young, that it became a fantastic humbling experience for me. I actually considered, when I started college, of becoming a Special Education teacher. But, alas, as we know, I had bigger (more- ahem- self centered) desires in the fashion and music world.
Anyhow, I have made a decision. And, I have always wanted to do this. I am going to volunteer a day at The Special Olympics this year. I know it's not much, but it is something, right? That is, if they are held in NY. I don't mention this act to solicit responses of how nice this is. But, to urge you to give. To volunteer in some capacity, to something. Philanthropy, no matter how big or small, is so very important in many ways.
If you do, infact, want to do it for The Special Olympics, here is the site:
http://www.specialolympics.org/
*They have branches all over the country/world. So, see what you can do.
Oh- and here is the New York division:
http://nyso.org/NYC/home.php
