After making the 2,000 mile trek out here to Aspen from my home state of Connecticut, I arrived feeling a whole mix of emotions; both excited and anxious to being working as an Apprentice Pro at Challenge Aspen. Coming from a background in special education and working with children and young adults with special needs in the past, I felt fairly prepared for what this job was going to throw at me. However, I still found myself questioning whether or not making this move was the right decision for me. Immediately after our first day, working with a group of visually impaired students from Tennessee School for the Blind, any doubts I had were erased. What I’ve experienced in the short 3 months since moving here has completely blown away my expectations. The way this program is organized has made it possible for me to work with dozens of different students, each with a unique and admirable story. I arrive for work feeling eager and excited to meet my newest participant, and leave work feeling humbled and grateful that this is what I get to do every day. Challenge Aspen provides tremendous opportunities for people with disabilities, but they have also provided me with an unbelievable learning experience and memories I will surely cherish. This experience has been nothing short of life changing and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to be a part of this organization.
After making the 2,000 mile trek out here to Aspen from my home state of Connecticut, I arrived feeling a whole mix of emotions; both excited and anxious to being working as an Apprentice Pro at Challenge Aspen. Coming from a background in special education and working with children and young adults with special needs in the past, I felt fairly prepared for what this job was going to throw at me. However, I still found myself questioning whether or not making this move was the right decision for me. Immediately after our first day, working with a group of visually impaired students from Tennessee School for the Blind, any doubts I had were erased. What I’ve experienced in the short 3 months since moving here has completely blown away my expectations. The way this program is organized has made it possible for me to work with dozens of different students, each with a unique and admirable story. I arrive for work feeling eager and excited to meet my newest participant, and leave work feeling humbled and grateful that this is what I get to do every day. Challenge Aspen provides tremendous opportunities for people with disabilities, but they have also provided me with an unbelievable learning experience and memories I will surely cherish. This experience has been nothing short of life changing and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to be a part of this organization.