Reflections on the YES2 Experience
I… A young 16 year old boy had the amazing opportunity to attend the YES2 program held by the department of services for the blind. It was an amazing experience to have an intern and connect with others visually impaired peers my age. I love this program, but it wasn’t always that way.
The first day was one of the most stressful days of my life. I had to get in the routine of a new living space, rule, and a lot of responsibilities. I said to Jason “This program is like throwing someone in a river of crocodiles” I really felt that way.
The second day I wanted to go home because of washing windows. And even though that is not a problem now, it definitely felt like a large crocodile. The 3rd day my phone died and I had to practice my route for work. I was very uncomfortable, but I made a compromise that if I needed to call I will use my O&Ms phone also, my phone never died while I was going out of the house after that incident.
The fourth day was really stressed me because of my payroll paperwork. I didn’t know what to do and I was really stressed. I was able to work it out. And I started noticing that every time a situation seemed stressful. I still did it. I went to my work route on the first day, I did wash windows, I handled having my phone die while needing to go practice my work route, I did my payroll paperwork it may have been stressful, but I did it.
The second week was really hard but in different ways. Actually having to do work not just go on the route. On the second day of work my brother Abram got injured. Feed your head was very intimidating. Cooking for myself was different and not what I was used to doing. Camping weekend was tough but again I did it.
The third week was a lot easier. I had a good understanding of my route and what are you doing for work. Learning that I was not getting paid for the first week because of Social Security taking away benefits because of gains for income really stressed me. But it was good for me to understand. Kris talked about SSI and I really appreciated her taking the time to be explain the benefits and opportunities and visually impaired person can apply for. I was very excited about Kris and I wish she could’ve had one more session with us.
The fourth week was really hard because I was really working towards getting cleared for travel. I did my best, but there was always something I could improve on and I genuinely felt stuck. And I would be cleared towards the end of the program, but it was just another thing that I really thought I could not do.
Self advocacy weekend was also quite a challenge. I really thought the drivers Ed was the worst most insulting thing ever. It seems really dumb and did not make any sense. But when I gave it a chance, I can see that there is a lot about a car that a visually impaired person can learn about.
Some of my takeaways from this program are, things might seem hard, but give it a try it might be easier like washing windows, sweeping and even vacuuming although I can still work out that. Heather was a guest speaker for Feed your head and I really related with her first day was really stressful, and every week was challenging in a different way but it gives you more opportunities to improve. I genuinely appreciated this program and I love how it pushes you far out of your comfort zone.
For all the times, I said I can’t do it. I did it and I slayed those crocodiles.